From EAFC to Cyber EuroCup: Ukrainian ESB stand-out rising star "Malenkiy" joins forces with Reyer Venezia on try-out season

The former professional EA Sports FC Gamer has made remarkable progress since switching to NBA 2K earlier this year. Following impressive performances in ESportsBattle's Euro Conference, the Ukrainian will now face his biggest challenge yet as Umana Reyer Venezia's representative in Group B of the 2026-27 Cyber EuroCup.

Cyber EuroCup | October 12, 2026

Umana Reyer Venezia has reached an agreement with Ukrainian esports competitor Malenkiy to represent the Italian club in the 2026-27 Cyber EuroCup, bringing one of the rapidly improving talents from the ESportsBattle circuit to Europe's second-highest NBA 2K online competition.

The Ukrainian will compete in Group B under a performance-based trial agreement, with the possibility of earning significantly improved contractual terms depending on his results throughout the season.

While Reyer Venezia is already familiar with Cyber EuroCup competition, the upcoming campaign will mark Malenkiy's personal debut at this level, representing a remarkable step forward for a competitor who only transitioned to NBA 2K during the current calendar year.

His rapid development, particularly following a disappointing Cyber Basketball Champions League campaign, has attracted attention and earned him an opportunity to compete against some of Europe's strongest virtual basketball players.

A remarkable transition from EA Sports FC to NBA 2K

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Malenkiy's rise is how recently his competitive basketball gaming journey began.

Unlike many established Cyber EuroCup competitors who have spent years developing their skills within the NBA 2K franchise, Malenkiy previously competed professionally in EA Sports FC esports.

The Ukrainian decided to change disciplines during 2026, leaving behind competitive virtual football to focus on basketball.

Such a transition is far from straightforward.

Despite both titles belonging to the sports simulation genre, EA Sports FC and NBA 2K demand fundamentally different approaches to gameplay, tactical awareness, decision-making and mechanical execution.

However, Malenkiy has demonstrated an impressive ability to adapt.

Within months of making the switch, he began establishing himself as a competitive player in NBA 2K, eventually attracting attention through his performances on the ESportsBattle circuit.

His progress has been particularly impressive in ESportsBattle's Euro Conference, where he has enjoyed considerable success against established competition.

Those performances have helped transform his reputation from a newcomer to the basketball gaming scene into a player increasingly capable of competing at European level.

His arrival at Reyer Venezia now represents the biggest opportunity of his young NBA 2K career.

From Cyber BCL disappointment to European-level competition

Malenkiy's journey has not been without setbacks.

During the previous Cyber Basketball Champions League season, the Ukrainian experienced a difficult introduction to organized European NBA 2K competition.

Competing in the Cyber BCL, the third tier of the ECSO's European basketball gaming ecosystem, Malenkiy finished fourth and last in his group, suffering an early elimination.

Among his opponents was Cramon, who went on to reach the Cyber BCL Final and secure a well-deserved promotion ticket to the Cyber EuroCup.

Cramon will now represent German club NINERS Chemnitz in Group C of the 2026-27 competition.

For Malenkiy, the experience highlighted the considerable gap between being a promising newcomer and consistently competing against established European-level opponents.

However, what followed has been an impressive period of development.

Rather than allowing his early elimination to define his competitive ambitions, the Ukrainian dedicated himself to improving his understanding of NBA 2K.

His progress since that Cyber BCL campaign has been substantial.

Improved tactical execution, a better understanding of basketball-specific gameplay mechanics and growing experience against stronger opponents have helped him reach a level that would have appeared considerably more distant at the beginning of the year.

From finishing bottom of his Cyber BCL group to preparing for a Cyber EuroCup campaign within the same calendar year, Malenkiy's development has been remarkable.

His continued success in the ESportsBattle Euro Conference provides further evidence of that improvement.

The upcoming Cyber EuroCup campaign will now reveal how far that progress can take him.

Reyer Venezia offers a performance-based opportunity

Reyer Venezia's decision to bring in Malenkiy reflects confidence in his potential while acknowledging the challenges associated with his limited experience at the highest levels of European NBA 2K competition.

The Italian club has agreed to an initial trial arrangement covering the 2026-27 season, with compensation primarily linked to participation and sporting performance.

Under the agreement, Malenkiy will receive incentives for representing Reyer Venezia throughout the Group Stage.

Additional bonuses will become available should the Italian club progress into subsequent rounds of the competition.

Furthermore, he will remain eligible for the official Cyber EuroCup prize pool, with financial rewards available should Reyer Venezia finish among the competition's top four teams.

The agreement offers both parties a clear opportunity.

For Reyer Venezia, it provides an opportunity to evaluate a rapidly improving competitor without immediately committing to a more substantial guaranteed contract.

For Malenkiy, it offers the chance to establish himself at a higher competitive level while earning financial rewards directly linked to his achievements.

Most importantly, strong performances could lead to a considerably improved contractual agreement, potentially securing his future with the Italian organization on more attractive terms.

Group B: The toughest test of his career

The Ukrainian will begin his Cyber EuroCup journey in Group B, facing what will undoubtedly be the most demanding competition of his NBA 2K career so far.

While his recent ESportsBattle performances have demonstrated considerable potential, the Cyber EuroCup presents a different challenge.

The competition features experienced representatives of established European basketball clubs, many of whom have already spent several seasons competing at the highest levels of online basketball.

For a player who only switched from EA Sports FC to NBA 2K earlier this year, adapting to such an environment will require consistency, mental resilience and continued tactical improvement.

However, the experience itself could prove invaluable.

Regardless of his final position, competing in the Cyber EuroCup will provide Malenkiy with an opportunity to accelerate his development even further.

Regular matches against high-level European opponents should expose him to different playing styles, defensive systems and offensive approaches.

That experience could also directly benefit his performances in ESportsBattle.

By competing against established Cyber EuroCup representatives, Malenkiy will have opportunities to develop new strategies and sharpen his decision-making under pressure.

These improvements could subsequently translate into stronger performances in the Euro Conference, where he has already established himself as a successful competitor.

The relationship between the two competitive environments could therefore become mutually beneficial.

His ESportsBattle experience has helped prepare him for the Cyber EuroCup, while his new European challenge could make him an even stronger ESportsBattle competitor.

Malenkiy's arrival also contributes to an interesting development ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.