TJ Shorts made an explosive debut for Valencia with 26 points, picking up where he had left off before a difficult season at Panathinaikos. His winning basket ensured the Spanish side opened their campaign on the right foot with a 96-94 victory over Besiktas.
TJ Shorts needed almost 23 minutes in the opening round of the new EuroLeague season to remind everyone why, a year ago, he was among the most sought-after guards in Europe. Valencia left Istanbul with a 96-94 victory over Besiktas, with the American putting his stamp on both their offensive production and the basket that decided the contest. An opening night with one clear protagonist.
The numbers capture the scale of his performance: 26 points on 9-of-17 two-point shooting, 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line, along with 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, 5 fouls drawn and a Performance Index Rating of 20. What made his display even more valuable, though, was the manner of it. Shorts played with the confidence of the best player on the floor. He wanted the ball and knew exactly what to do with it.
It was a reminder of his first season in Europe’s premier competition. Playing for Paris, he had put himself firmly in the MVP conversation, averaging 19 points, 2.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1 steal and a PIR of 22.8 in 2024-25. Here was a point guard capable of dictating the pace and forcing entire defences to adjust to him — one who, a few months later, would command an annual salary of $2.5 million.
What followed in Athens, as previously discussed, was a different story. The talented guard never truly clicked with Panathinaikos, and the responsibility lies primarily with Ergin Ataman and how he used him. A player who had excelled by making decisions with the ball in his hands never found a corresponding role and looked lost amid Panathinaikos’ struggles last season. His impact diminished, and the campaign ended without his defining qualities consistently coming to the fore.
Of course, one season did not erase his achievements. The former Bonn and Paris star had been named MVP in both the Basketball Champions League and the EuroCup before carrying that influence into the EuroLeague. Valencia reached an agreement with him early in the summer with a clear purpose: to give him a leading role.
At his introductory press conference, Shorts had made it clear that this was exactly what he wanted. “Throughout my career, I’ve felt like a leader. I’ve felt that I was in a leadership position and, coming here to Valencia, I want to bring that feeling back and contribute my leadership skills to this team,” he said, adding: “And I’ve always believed that, to be a leader, communication is one of the key elements of a great team.”
In Istanbul, during Round 1 of the EuroLeague, those words translated into action. With the trust of his coach and teammates, Shorts broke down the defence, found space and made his trademark shots. His mid-range jumpers were a prime example: attempts that are central to his repertoire and allow him to punish defenders when they retreat to protect the paint.
His speed made the difference. His first step and changes of pace disrupted the opposition, demonstrating that he is well above the league average in that department. Essentially, whoever Dusan Alimpijevic put on him, Shorts brushed the matchup aside. His tally of just 2 assists underlined that this was primarily a night for Shorts the scorer. Besiktas struggled to contain his individual offence, and he kept attacking.
The closing stages summed up his performance and sealed the road win. In the 37th minute, he broke down the defence once again, followed that with a valuable defensive effort, then found Nikola Mirotic for an assist. He went to the bench for a breather and returned with 2:38 remaining, with Valencia trailing 94-92. The responsibility for the final possessions awaited him. With the score tied at 94-94 inside the last two minutes, he first executed a sound box-out. Then, at the other end, he beat Omoruyi with an acrobatic finish to make it 94-96. That basket would prove to be the winner. His outstanding individual display came with the most decisive shot of the game.
Obviously, one night is not enough to predict everything that will follow. It is enough, however, to establish the direction: Shorts is back in a role in which he feels like himself, and Valencia have already reaped the first reward. A masterclass, a show and a winning basket. If this is to be his revenge season, the opening act had everything it needed.