Beyond the Unicaja Malaga crown in the Basketball Champions League 2025

SportsIn

May 12, 2025

This Sunday concluded the Final Four of the Basketball Champions League 2025 with Unicaja Malaga emerging as champion after defeating Galatasaray in the final played at the SUNEL Arena in Athens. The Spanish team dominated the game from the first quarter, winning 83-67, the largest point difference recorded in the nine finals in the history of the competition.

With this victory, Unicaja joins Hereda San Pablo Burgos as the only clubs to have defended their title in consecutive seasons. The victory consolidates Unicaja as one of the most outstanding teams in the recent history of the Basketball Champions League.

Unicaja: An almost perfect season

The Malaga team closed an almost flawless season in the Basketball Champions League, with a balance of 15 wins in 16 games. Their only defeat was precisely against Galatasaray, in the round of 16. This solid performance allowed them to reach the final with confidence and demonstrate their superiority in the decisive game.

In addition to the title, Unicaja had the most valuable player (MVP) of the Final Four, Tyson Carter. The shooting guard stood out both on defense and offense, playing a key role in the final two games of the tournament. This victory joins the one achieved in Spain earlier this year, winning the Copa de SM el Rey and making it clear that they are one of the best teams in Europe, regardless of the competition they play.

Tyson Carter, the MVP who made the difference

In the semifinals, Carter shined on defense, grabbing five steals as he was in charge of scoring AEK Betsson BC’s leading scorer, Hunter Hale. In the final, his offensive performance was decisive, scoring 14 points and dishing out 5 assists in less than 19 minutes. Teammate Kendrick Perry, MVP of last season’s Final Four, was the first to congratulate him after the win.

AEK Betsson BC takes third place

In the third place game, host AEK Betsson BC pulled off a spectacular comeback against La Laguna Tenerife. AEK, which came from 17 points behind, ended up winning 77-73. Both AEK and Tenerife are the only teams in the history of the Basketball Champions League to have finished first, second and third in different editions of the tournament.