Last bull everything is always easier, that is evidence. But it is also a reality that this Sunday, May 25, Saras Jasikevicius proclaimed Euroleague champion for the first time since he started as a coach. And he did it with a Fenerbahçe of which Nigel Hayes-Davis has been consecrating as a star.
Both were from Barça and both ended up being discarded. For different reasons and with more or less justifiable reasons, but The two pillars of Fenerbahçe Euroleague champion have. In addition, putting the focus on Lithuanus, a feeling technician for the club with whom he reigned in Europe as a player in 2003.
With Saras you always win
The difficulty of fair play It was the justification for reducing the basketball budget and, In the summer of 2023 not to renew the contract of, among others, Saras Jasikevicius. A controversial decision before the Barca fansmany seeing the Lithuanian as a future coach, despite the disappointments in the Final Four against Epes in the final and Madrid, double in the semifinals.
It is true that Saras could not bring the third European crown to Barça, but another reality is that, with Jasikevicius on the bench, his team always wins a title. Lithuanus began his career as a first coach in Zalgiris in 2016, where he won all the Lithuanas Leagues. Then, In 2020 he signed for the Barça who led to winning a Copa del Rey and two ACB leagues In his three seasons.
And when Barça detached him from him, Fenerbahçe saw an opportunity. In December 2023, the Turkish team fired Dimitris Itoudis and bet everything Jasikevicius. AND In the two seasons led by Lithuanus, 'Fener' has won both Turkish Cups, the league won last year -Hito that can repeat this 2025- and in Abu Dhabi he touched the European glory raising the Euroleague.
Hayes-Davis explosion
A year after Jasikevicius arrived at Palau also landed Nigel Hayes-Davis. The American had already played for Saras in Zalgiris and It seemed an important piece for the Barça Barça 21/22but did not respond to expectations and set a disappointing season in Barcelona. His departure, contrary to that of the Lithuanian coach a year later, was not questioned since the performance was not expected.
Nigel Hayes-Davis was proclaimed the MVP of the Final Four / EFE
Lasting only one season in the city, The American went directly to Fenerbahçe where he saw his increased role and ended up being a key player In his first year in Türkiye. Of course, in a very complicated season in Türkiye, the 'Fener' failed to raise any title.
And with the arrival of Saras a year later, Hayes-Davis explosion and stardom in this 24/25 course ended up occurring. Absolute reference in attack, with a game to the low post of the best in Europe, the eave was part of the five ideal of the Euroleague and, in the Final Four, he was outstanding. Despite not having much offensive prominence in the semifinal, its 23 points and 9 rebounds against Monaco led Fenerbahçe towards the title and, who knows, if together with Saras, the former Barça could set up a European hegemony.
