By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Only die-hard French basketball fans know the name of Maxime Courby. The 32-year-old forward, who’s played for JL Boug since 2015, had a promising start to his career as a member of the French U-18 and U-20 teams. He won the gold medal with the latter at the 2010 European Championship alongside Andrew Albicy.
That gold would prove to be the only significant title on his resume, but
the numbers don’t lie and Courby is the 7DAYS EuroCup All-time leader in three-point shooting efficiency. Courby already has three EuroCup seasons under his belt and a pretty good sample of 59 threes in 115 attempts (51.3%).
Nevertheless, it should be noted that in an age where three-point shots are taking over basketball, Courby – despite his amazing efficiency – takes relatively few shots.
More three-pointers than two-pointers
The fact that Courby doesn’t shoot more is a bit peculiar, but don’t think that he is not taking his shots. During the 2020-21 season, he made 29 of 57 threes in 16 games, compared to 14-of-29 shooting on two-pointers.
The following season, he was 16 of 25 from behind the arc in 12 games and so far this season, through 16 games, he has made 14 of 33 threes. He has taken more threes than twos in each season; Courby made 11 of 19 two-pointers in the 2021-22 season and is 14 for 24 this season.
Although the 32-years old sharpshooter may not be not a household name, Courby is a club icon for JL Bourg. He celebrated his 300th game with the team last October against Lietkabelis Panevyzys in the EuroCup and has been part of the club’s amazing, which has seen them secure a place in the playoffs after failing to do so last season.
The main rival is also active
What’s even more impressive in the case of this specific category is that the only other player shooting above 50% in the history of the 7DAYS EuroCup is still active and playing against Courby and JL Bourg this season.
Derek Willis of Umana Reyer Venice is shooting exactly at 50% in 42 EuroCup career games. Willis has spent significantly more time on the court than Courby. With the numbers so close and Willis having more opportunities on the court, the top may change soon.
This is a tight race with Willis having so far made 56 of 112 threes in the EuroCup. And Willis is having the better season, shooting 25 for 48 from deep so far (52.1%).
The two players and their teams have already met twice this season with JL Bourg winning both games, even though right now Reyer has the better record.
In the first game, back in October, the French side prevailed on the road 79-73 with Courby scoring 10 points on 100% FG efficiency, including 2 threes. Willis had 9 points while sinking 2 threes without a miss. In the second game, in January, Bourg prevailed 86-79 with Courby scoreless, taking just one two-point shot attempt and missing it, while Willis had 23 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting.
Both of them will also take part in the playoffs, so things are already more than interesting as their duel continues.