MIES (Switzerland) - The Basketball Champions League Season 11, powered by Ameresco SUNEL has officially begun last week, with all clubs in action.
The 32 teams are spread through eight groups, but there is one place where they are all in it together.
The Ameresco Power Rankings mix them all together to figure out which teams are in the best form at the moment.
That is why the domestic results are also taken into account when ranking these 16 teams - you'll feel better about a team that's on a five-game winning run in all competitions, than about a team that's potentially at 6-1 in the BCL, but 6-11 in their national championship.
#32 RASTA Vechta
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 1-4 Streak in all competitions: W1
Yeah, seems like the busy schedule has taken its toll. This isn't a bad team, not at all, and they finally got that first Bundesliga win over the weekend, as Matt Lewis counted to 26 in overtime against Ulm, so things could be better soon.
But that road defeat in Serbia was so big, we had no choice but to keep them in 32. Tough game at Cholet coming up.
#31 Hapoel Maoz Daniel Holon
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 0-1 Streak in all competitions: L2
Even though their record suggest they are winless in two, they actually have a pair of wins in the Israeli Basketball League Cup. However, we can't put them higher than 31 here, because they've followed those up with a 20-point defeat to Cholet Basket and a 23-point defeat to Jerusalem.
TJ Holyfield is their newest addition, a man we mostly remember from his EWE Baskets Oldenburg days from 2021 to 2023. He has had two solid campaigns in Japan since, flirting with double-doubles regularly. Exactly what Holon need right now.
#30 Bnei Penlink Herzliya
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 0-1 Streak in all competitions: L2
They were stubborn against Asisa Joventut, refusing to go away, but it was too much of Emir Sulejmanovic and Simon Birgander down low, bothering Herzliya with their size and strength.
The fact they lost again on Monday, to Maccabi Ramat Gan makes this an uphill battle already for Herzliya, they need to start a winning run as soon as possible. Porto and Bonn coming up in their BCL schedule.
#29 BC Juventus Utena
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 2-3 Streak in all competitions: L2
Yeah, the matchup with Unicaja was a painful one, and a quick lesson that Juventus need more help inside the arc. That's why they dialed Emmanuel Nzekwesi's number, a BCL Qualification Round Tournaments legend in a way, as he had some impressive games there, and played 16 Regular Season games with Cholet Basket and Slask Wroclaw, too.
Judging by his first game in the Lithuanian League, it was a great idea to bring him over - 22 points and 9 boards against Siauliai on debut!
#28 Legia Warszawa
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 1-1 Streak in all competitions: L2
Well, we were ready to tell you a bunch of nice things about Legia after they opened up the season with a Polish Supercup triumph and a clutch win on the road at Czarni Slupsk, but they went on to allow back-to-back 100+ point games.
SIG Strasbourg eased away to a 100-62 win, which means we have to wait with all our nice things to tell you about Legia. At least for another two weeks. Road game at Cibona is up next for them in the BCL, next week.
#27 Igokea m:tel
BCL record: 0-1 ABA league record: 1-1 Streak in all competitions: L2
So yeah, good luck trying to figure this team out. Because they beat Slovan Bratislava in the ABA League easily, scoring 97 points, and that Slovan team is more than okay, they beat Cibona on the road on Monday, which is a big deal because, you know, Cibona defeated Galatasaray.
One would assume, Igokea are the ultimate beast then, right? One would be wrong. Because Igokea lost back-to-back home games to Bilbao and Borac, allowing 93.0 per game.
Good luck trying to figure this team out, for real. They'll probably beat ALBA on the road this week because we have them at #27 here.
#26 BMA365 Bamberg Baskets
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 2-3 Streak in all competitions: L2
First of all, nice to have Freak City back in the BCL. However, even if you're a former Final Four participant, all of us here at the Ameresco Power Rankings Headquarters agree that you should be in the 20s if you lost two straight games and three of your last four.
Can't wait for their first home game in the BCL in nearly six years! UCAM Murcia are in Germany on Wednesday, tune in - here's where:
#25 Sabah BC
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 1-0 Streak in all competitions: L1
Yeah, this team could be something special. As a fan of Mr Valdas Dambrauskas, it's exciting to see the basketball team replicate the success of the football team, Sabah are becoming something so cool to follow, and their battle with the defending champs in Vilnius showed they aren't here just to participate.
Just a piece of advice, though: Don't write them off if they go 0-2 to start the BCL season, because, well, not a lot of teams can go not-0-2 with two road games in Vilnius and Trabzon connected.
But if they manage to stun Trabzonspor on the road this week, then the message is loud and clear. They want to be a part of BCL in the 27 part of the 2026-27 season.
#24 BK KVIS Pardubice
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 5-1 Streak in all competitions: L2
It all looked too good to be true as they went 5-0 to start the Czech NBL season, but last week has been pretty sobering. A double digit defeat in Italy against Reggiana, followed by a... Well, let's not talk about how big of a defeat to SK Slavia Praha ERA NBK, the artists formerly known as ERA Nymburk.
Need to bounce back asap, two Czechia home games need to be won to get them back on track as they've got Unicaja in town on October 20.
#23 FC Porto
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 2-0 Streak in all competitions: W1
Don't look now, but this may be the feel-good team of the season. Listen to this:
You know Porto and Sporting don't like each other. Cool, so you know how good it feels to defeat Sporting 80-76 to win the Supercup.
You know Porto and Benfica don't like each other. Cool, so you know how good it feels to defeat Benfica 93-86 over the weekend.
Just like that, Porto have a trophy and a 2-0 start in their domestic championship, and were just five points away from a perfect start, since Bonn defeated them by four on Gameday 1. But you get it. Feel-good vibes.
#22 Salon Vilpas
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 2-1 Streak in all competitions: W1
Don't forget these guys went through the BCL Qualification Round Tournaments, so consider them a well-oiled machine now, could've easily been perfect in all their games this season, because the two defeats were by a total of five points.
No surprises, all the talks were about Leland Walker who is on one of the craziest runs in European basketball right now, scoring 29, 33, 42, 27, 25, 27, 28 and 28 in his first eight games as a pro!
No wonder he's in Top 10 in our MVP Race.
#21 Falco-Vulcano Szombathely
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 3-0 Streak in all competitions: W1
This box isn't big enough to list all the things Zoltan Perl has done in the BCL, but let's focus on two when they face Salon Vilpas next week, okay? Okay.
Those are (1) Zoltan Perl chasing another double digit performance, which would put him at 21 in a row, the most in BCL history, and (2) Zoltan Perl chasing another 20+ point game, which would put him at 19 such games all-time, the most in BCL history.
He's currently tied with DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell for the (1) run, and Levi Randolph for (2). Solid company, huh? Huh.
#20 SK Slavia Praha ERA NBK
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 6-0 Streak in all competitions: W1
New name, same old habits... Well, at least at home, where they beat fellow BCL team Pardubice by...
Wait, no, we said we're not mentioning the final score when we talked about Pardubice. Anyway, like in Space Jam, when the scoreboard says "kinda one-sided, isn't it?"
The reason why they aren't higher is because ALBA BERLIN did a whole "kinda one-sided, isn't it" thing to them last week.
Big game on the road in Bilbao this week.
#19 Itelyum Varese
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 2-1 Streak in all competitions: W1
No, don't give us that look. Varese are a legit Top 10 team, despite their horrible defeat to UCAM Murcia last week, because the flow of the game is much different when you have Amedeo Della Valle available.
He wasn't there in Spain, he was there in Italy over the weekend, drawing a foul with 0.7 left to play and knocking down a game-winner from the line against Trieste in front of packed stands in Varese.
Speaking of which - first BCL game in Varese after almost 10 years on Tuesday! That's a special arena, that's a special fan group, expect them to top the charts when it comes to attendance in the BCL this season.
#18 Nanterre 92
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 2-1 Streak in all competitions: W1
Bit unlucky to lose their opener at Trabzonspor, but they figured out a smooth way to respond to such adversity. Their answer was two fold, as (1) Xavier Castaneda made all the music with 29 points in 21 minutes, and (2) Hugo Yimga-Moukouri showed he's one of the best young players in all of Europe with 19 points and 9 rebounds, both of them dominant against Gravelines.
They are at home against Rytas Vilnius this week. Can't wait!
#17 Galatasaray MCT Technic
BCL record: 0-1 Domestic league record: 1-2 Streak in all competitions: L3
To be fair, with three straight defeats and negative records in the BCL and the BSL, they should've been lower in the Power Rankings.
But it's hard to do that to a roster that says Nikola Ivanovic, Sehmus Hazer, Aleksej Nikolic, Alen Smailagic, Dyshawn Pierre, Oumar Ballo, Chimezie Metu...
So this is our way of saying we still feel Gala could be elite. They aren't right now, though.
#16 Pallacanestro Reggiana
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 1-2 Streak in all competitions: W2
Our favorite BCL YouTuber since Trey Drechsel caught fire on Sunday, pouring in 24 points in 25 minutes, leading Reggiana to a much needed win over Tortona, so it's time for you to give Riccardo Visconti a follow.
Like, share, subscribe, or whatever the kids are saying these days:
#15 SIG Strasbourg
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 1-2 Streak in all competitions: L1
One of the most impressive returns to BCL, as SIGmen destroyed Legia by 38 points, behind a perfect game by Abdoulaye N'Doye, first player with 15 points, 10 assists and 5 steals in less than 25 minutes of work.
But for that number to be in single digits next to their name in the Power Rankings, they need consistency. Going down and up and up and down won't work in a full season.
They enjoy a week off in the BCL, before a trip to Galatasaray next week. That's your chance to claim a spot in the Top 10!
#14 Peristeri Betsson
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 2-0 Streak in all competitions: W3
Would you look at that! Peristeri are on a perfect three-game streak, so maaaaaaybe they could've been higher in the Power Rankings. Okay, Definitely Maybe1.
However, their largest win of the season was by six points, and they are yet to play any of the powerhouses in Greece, so let's not get all euphoric here after three wins.
We'll be euphoric if they are still perfect after their games at Varese and Panathinaikos this week. Tough...
1That's an Oasis reference, thanks.
#13 Spartak Office Shoes
BCL record: 1-0 ABA league record: 1-1 Streak in all competitions: W2
Look at the Serbian champs breaking records!
Spartak defeated Vechta by 32, breaking their own mark set against Benfica last year for the biggest BCL win by a Serbian club, more than twice as big as Partizan's largest win when they were part of BCL in Season 1.
Dalibor Ilic is in beast mode, again, 19 points and 8 rebounds against Ilirija in the ABA League, and when he takes a seat, Alen Omic comes in and takes all the rebounds - 9 against Ilirija, 13 against Vechta, so that's 22 rebounds in 36 minutes of playing time for him last week.
Spartak could be a Top 5 team this time next-next week, three straight home games will happen before we speak next time.
Largest Serbian wins in BCL:
Date | Team | Opponent | Score | Diff |
07/10/2026 | Spartak Office Shoes | RASTA Vechta | 96-64 | 32 |
19/11/2025 | Spartak Office Shoes | SL Benfica | 99-69 | 30 |
15/10/2025 | Spartak Office Shoes | SL Benfica | 90-74 | 16 |
09/11/2016 | Partizan | Szolnoki Olaj | 70-55 | 15 |
14/12/2016 | Partizan | Besiktas | 86-71 | 15 |
#12 ALBA BERLIN
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 2-3 Streak in all competitions: L1
Three defeats in their last four games. Only reason why they aren't Top 10 here.
But hey, Jack Kayil is in the MVP talks, again!
#11 Windrose Giants Antwerp
BCL record: 1-0 BNXT league record: 2-0 Streak in all competitions: W4
Here's a hot take. If Antwerp make it far - and it will take like two more wins for all of us to go "yes, this is exactly like 2019" - they will have the Defensive Player of the Year award in their hands.
That's because we've seen Enoch Cheeks in action. Last week alone: 6 steals and 5 blocks in two games. No, really, 11 stocks for a 190 cm (6'2'') guard!!!
You heard it here first!
(Actually, if you followed Antwerp since BCL QRTs last season, you probably heard it a thousand times, but yes, also here.)
#10 AEK BC
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 1-1 Streak in all competitions: L1
MVP did a lot of MVP things, and Thomas Heurtel was clutch to open up his BCL account. But even with all the Bartley bravado and Heurtel heroics, they still had a nasty fall to Aris in the Greek League on Saturday, which makes us question everything.
They will use this week off to work on their stuff and they've got back-to-back home games against Mykonou and Antwerp. Must go 2-0 there to get an improvement here.
#9 Cibona
BCL record: 1-0 ABA league record: 0-2 Streak in all competitions: L1
Losing both of their ABA League games is... Something. But at the same time, they had Khalif Battle going crazy against Galatasaray, and they are 3-0 in the Croatian League, so they deserve some praise for their lovely return to BCL action after a decade.
Playing three competitions at once is gonna be challenging, just look at their remaining schedule in October: vs. Borac, @ Skrljevo (you're pronouncing it wrong, so stop), vs. Legia, vs. Krka, vs. Virtus (from Zagreb, not Bologna), vs. Igokea.
That's six games in the next 18 days. Marathon.
#8 Asisa Joventut
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 0-2 Streak in all competitions: L1
Don't be fooled, this is the team to beat in BCL this season. They already were loaded last year, they are even better this year, and they won the Spanish Supercopa just to send a message that they've got what it takes.
So, why are they only eighth, you ask? Because of that 0-2 in Spain, that's all.
Once that's corrected to 2-2 and 4-2 and probably 10-4, they'll be a Top 3 team here and won't go lower anymore.
#7 UCAM Murcia
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 1-2 Streak in all competitions: L1
That home defeat to Tenerife was definitely not in their plans, especially with road games in Bamberg and Valencia this week.
Still, this is a team that dispatched Barcelona and Varese with authority, so those two aforementioned matchups could go southeast, then northeast, then southeast, and northeast once more.
Don't look it up on a map, it's the directions you take to write a W.
#6 Telekom Baskets Bonn
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 3-2 Streak in all competitions: W2
John-Michael Wright is in contention for the Jerrick Harding Award* for most points per minute this season. The front office found another gem at guard, they always do, and Wright already had games with 25 points in 24 minutes, and 20 points in 21 minutes.
Gonna need to ask around about those donuts. You think they hand them out at 100 points scored at home? Or they just say three donuts for one hundred in German?
Let us send a couple of emails...
*No such award, completely made up, sorry.
#5 Cholet Basket
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 2-1 Streak in all competitions: W3
What's better than having one guy born in 2009 in your lineup? That's right, TWO guys born in 2009 in your lineup!
What's better than having two guys born in 2009 in your lineup? That's right, having them as legit role players and go-to guys, as Aaron Towo-Nansi and Amadou Fall are delivering and winning games.
Fall had 15 points in 16 minutes against Holon, Towo-Nansi had 11 points and 4 assists against Pau-Lacq-Orthez, these guys are not afraid.
Mr Keith Moon, hit that snare because the kids are alright.
#4 Trabzonspor
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 2-1 Streak in all competitions: W2
Speaking of music, Trabzonspor waited a long time for their Redemption Song against Nanterre 92, edging them out in overtime drama last week.
And while your focus may drift towards Marcus Keene, Isaiah Canaan, Brady Manek, Akwasi Yeboah, Troy Caupain, or Emanuel Terry - wow this is a loaded roster - we're here to point you towards their hottest player:
The Lion.
Yigit Arslan, whose last name literally means Lion, roared away to 10-of-14 shooting from three-point range, copy-pasting 5-of-7 against Nanterre and Pizzabulls Bordo Bandirma.
The hottest new team in BCL, easily.
#3 Rytas Vilnius
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 1-1 Streak in all competitions: W2
Yeah, this easily could've been W4, because in true Rytas Vilnius fashion, they already managed to play four close games, losing a pair of one-possession encounters to NBA G League United and Gargzdai, then defeating Sabah BC and Neptunas.
The defending champions won't care about beautiful wins and blowouts, but with Gytis Radzevicius and Augustas Marciulionis in fine form, they'll be there when it matters most in the closing minutes of each game.
And you know what happens when Rytas stay close in closing minutes, right? They win titles, that's right.
Speaking of which, don't miss their former coach Giedrius Zibenas starring as our newest writer:
#2 Surne Bilbao
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 2-1 Streak in all competitions: W2
We're gonna need to talk to coach Jaume Ponsarnau. That game against Igokea was their lowest scoring performance of the season, we need to ask questions about Men in Black getting only... ehm... 92 points!?
That's right. Igokea held them to a season-low 92 points last week, as Bilbao have already had games of 107, 101, 92 and 96 points. They were inches away from being a perfect 4-0 team so far, since their only defeat was an overtime drama at Leyma Coruna.
Why all other BCL teams should be worried: Those 92 points at Igokea were scored without Darrun Hilliard and Tryggvi Hlinason.
So yes, Bilbao are for real.
#1 Unicaja
BCL record: 1-0 Domestic league record: 1-2 Streak in all competitions: W2
Well, yeah. Obviously. Coach Txus Vidorreta's handwriting is starting to show left and right, and down the middle, mostly, as Willy Hernangomez had a monster of a performance in his first BCL game.
Unicaja won back-to-back games after losing a pair of encounters in the Spanish League by a combined seven points to start the season, and that's exactly what they needed ahead of a busy schedule.
Pack your bags, because road games at Manresa, Pardubice and Breogan are coming up next for the rest of October. We'll check back in two weeks' time, don't be surprised if that third row under their name here says W4!
The power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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