An XXL performance! Having played in the NBA (Lakers, Toronto, Sacramento) then Galatasaray, Kaunas and Barcelona in Europe, Nigel Hayes-Davis, the American winger from Fenerbahçe, broke the record for points scored in a Euroleague match against 'Alba Berlin (103-68) by scoring 50. He exceeds by one point the previous record which belonged to his compatriot, playmaker, Shane Larkin, who held it since November 28, 2019, with another Turkish club Anadolu Efes, against Bayern Munich.
But the absolute record in the European Cup of Champion Basketball Clubs is still held by the Serbian Radivoj Korac (who gave his name to a European competition) with 99 points scored in 1964 with OKK Belgrade against Stockholm. But that was before the creation of the Euroleague (2000).
Hayes-Davis completed his performance in 30 minutes, shooting 18 of 27, including 9 of 16 from three-point range with five free throws and an overall rating of 46.
Fenerbahce win at home after a record breaking performance from @NIGEL_HAYES as he got 50 points which is now the most EVER points scored in a single game by a player! 👏#EveryGameMatters pic.twitter.com/FzLSbsPeHF
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) March 29, 2024
“I wrote in my notes at the start of the season that I wanted to break the points record this year. Right before the game, I texted my guys Jordan and Nate and told them I could see myself having a Dejounte Murray match. I didn't know I was going to score 50 points, I just knew I was going to take a lot of shots,” smiles the 29-year-old American winger. Dejounte Murray scored 44 points in Atlanta's victory over Boston (123-122) in the NBA.