Besiktas Istanbul picked up its first EuroLeague victory in 13 years in emphatic fashion, defeating Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv 93-109 on Tuesday at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
The visitors were led by four former Maccabi players — Ante Zizic, David DeJulius, Wenyen Gabriel and Scottie Wilbekin — with Wilbekin delivering one of the standout performances of the night.
The former Maccabi star scored 20 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range, looking increasingly like his old self after missing most of the previous two seasons because of injuries. His fourth three-pointer of the game also moved him past Barcelona legend Juan Carlos Navarro into third place on the EuroLeague’s all-time three-pointers made list with 625.
Besiktas established control immediately. Conor Morgan threw down a fastbreak dunk just four seconds into the game after two quick passes following the opening defensive rebound, setting the tone for a high-tempo performance.
Dusan Alimpijevic’s team moved the ball exceptionally well throughout the opening quarter, producing nine assists against just two turnovers while building a 19-27 lead. Maccabi struggled to contain the visitors’ pace, movement and shooting.
Besiktas extended the advantage to 36-50 in the second quarter after Furkan Korkmaz, Devon Dotson and Anthony Brown all connected from beyond the arc. The visitors had made seven of their first 10 three-point attempts at that stage.
Maccabi responded through Jimmy Clark, who scored six points in less than two minutes, helping the hosts reduce the deficit to 46-52 at halftime. Maccabi also took better care of the ball, recording seven assists without a turnover in the second quarter.
The third quarter initially offered Maccabi an opportunity to get back into the game, but Wilbekin quickly extinguished those hopes. He hit a three-pointer before adding two difficult baskets, pushing Besiktas back in front by double digits.
Jaylen Nowell followed with a baseline floater, while Brown knocked down consecutive threes as the visitors surged to a 52-69 advantage. Korkmaz then added a difficult one-legged three-pointer as Besiktas continued to find the bottom of the net.
Maccabi tried to raise the tempo in the fourth quarter, but Besiktas remained comfortable playing at a fast pace. Wilbekin’s fourth three made it 73-90 and effectively ended any remaining doubt about the result.
Besiktas finished 17-of-30 from three-point range and established new club records with 109 points, 18 three-pointers and 25 assists. The 109 points marked the first time the club had surpassed 100 in EuroLeague play, just days after setting its previous scoring record with 94 against Valencia Basket.
Besiktas improved to 1-1 in the 2026-27 EuroLeague season, while Maccabi fell to 0-2. Besiktas hosts Barcelona on Friday, with Maccabi visiting Panathinaikos the same day.
