Darussafaka Istanbul have booked their ticket back into next season’s EuroLeague, by claiming the EuroCup title.
They not only ended Lokomotiv Kuban’s unbeaten run in game one but went on to complete the finals sweep by downing the Russian side 67-59 in front of a raucous home following in Istanbul.
Scottie Wilbekin, like he has done all season long with Darussafaka led them with 28 points, as he scooped Finals MVP honours and guided his side back to the EuroLeague.
“We just did what we always do, played tough, played hard defence, and trusted how we got here,” said Wilbekin afterwards.
“A lot of character. It wasn’t easy to get to the finals. We had two tough series, especially the second one against Bayern Munich. So we were battle-tested.
“We’d been in close games. We’d been down before, we came back, we showed that we can win any type of game. And now we’re here. We’re champions now.”
Joe Ragland led Lokomotiv with 18 points as they end the season with the competition’s best record but their final two losses cost them the EuroCup crown.
