USAK (Basketball Champions League) - Muratbey Usak Sportif went into their home game against Rosa Radom this week needing a victory to resuscitate their hopes of reaching the Basketball Champions League Play-Offs.

It's a good thing the Turkish side has Zach Auguste, a real warrior of a power forward. When the 23-year-old was on the floor, Rosa Radom didn't have a chance.

Just several months removed from a standout American college basketball career at Notre Dame, Auguste was dominant in his nearly 35 minutes of action and fired Muratbey Usak to a 96-76 victory.

A native of Marlborough, Massachusetts, Auguste has scooped the MVP of the Week honor.

"It was a great game for us as a team," he said to the Basketball Champions League website. "I just went into this game like any other, I wanted to impact the game on both ends of the floor and help the team get a win."

Rosa Radom probably didn't recognize Auguste because they were the opponents when he made his debut in the competition on Gameday 4. Just settling in at the time, he played nearly 7 minutes but didn't score in that 83-77 win for the Polish side.

The second meeting was entirely different. Muratbey Usak now have four victories. The top four sides and the four best fifth-placed teams in the five groups will advance to the Play-Offs so realistically, Muratbey Usak need wins over EWE Baskets, Varese and ASVEL in their last three games to finish 7-7 and have a chance of progressing.

Winning all three is the plan for Auguste, a player that thrives when his team's back is against the wall. It was like that during his days playing for Coach Mike Brey in South Bend, Indiana, at Notre Dame.

Opponents knew that no matter how big of a lead they had built, the Irish would never quit.

"We have to continue to play like each game may be our last and use that motive as fuel to energize ourselves for 40 minutes," Auguste said. "I don't mind pressure at all. I've actually come to thrive off it, especially after my four years at Notre Dame."

The last couple of years with the Fighting Irish were among the best in school history. Auguste helped the team make it to the Regional Final of the last two NCAA Tournaments. He says the experience in South Bend, iIndiana, where Notre Dame is, was just what he needed.

"Playing for Coach Mike Brey has really taught me many things, he along with his staff helped elevate my game and develop me into a more mature player," Auguste said.

"Playing in the ACC allowed me to go up against some of the best competition in college on a nightly basis, so every game was another test."

Auguste signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent but was cut in training camp in October. He weighed up his options and eventually joined Muratbey Usak.

There are challenges for Americans when they cross the Atlantic to compete in Europe.

"I enjoy living in Turkey so far. The food is better than I thought at first and we have loyal, dedicated and loving fans who support us through each game, win or lose." - Auguste

"The biggest adjustment I had to make to play in Europe was understanding the pace and style of the game," he said. "Some things you can get away with back home in America won't fly over here so I had to really work on not traveling as much.

"Right now I'm working on all aspects of my game. I want to be a threat from anywhere on the court. I also want to continue to play at a high level consistently, so me staying focused and determined on the task at hand helps." 

After signing with the team and playing his first game in the fourth week of the competition, Auguste has registered double-digits in points in six games and scored 9 on the other two occasions. He is averaging 13.1ppg, and his stat of 8.5rpg is tied for fourth best in the competition. Auguste's 15.6rp40m (rebounds per 40 minutes) is second only to PAOK's Keith Clanton's 16.7.

There are tangible benefits for Auguste and Muratbey Usak playing in the Basketball Champions League.

"I believe the Champions League helps prepare us for upcoming Turkish teams we face," he said. "Champions League also offers us a chance to play against top teams all over Europe so we get the best of both worlds."

Auguste constantly attacked the rim against Rosa Radom

Making a home in a foreign country for the first time can present challenges for a player but Auguste has had a smooth transition.

"I enjoy living in Turkey so far," he said. "The food is better than I thought at first and we have loyal, dedicated and loving fans who support us through each game, win or lose."

It turns out that that Auguste has connections to another country in Europe. His great grandfather on his mother's side immigrated to the United States in 1949.

Auguste was an active member of the St. Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Maybe one day he'll get an invite to a national team training camp of Greece.

"If given the opportunity It would be an honor for me represent Greece," Auguste said.