By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
All of them had performance levels that were relatively low last season, but this automatically meant that there was a great capacity for them to grow into a better version of themselves. Which they did. They’ve now become protagonists the results of their teams in the EuroLeague seem inextricably linked to their performances.
Eurohoops presents five players who are synonymous with the word “improvement.”
JALEN REYNODLS
FC Bayern Munich | Center | December 30, 1992 | USA
Is it possible for someone to be the same person but not the same player? It is if that someone is Jalen Reynolds, yes. Last season, we got to know him as a EuroLeague rookie with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. This season, he reintroduced himself in FC Bayern Munich as someone who was always ready. He looks unbeatable in the key and he’s one of the reasons his team is still high in the rankings. He’s ranked 13th in points in the competition and third in rebounds.
2020-21 vs. 2019-20
13.4 PTS 5.7
59.6% 2PT 56%
66.7% 3PT 0%
83.3% FT 63.2%
6.9 REB 5.3
0.8 AST 0.8
1 STL 0.5
0.4 BLK 0.3
1.6 TOV 1.4
20:53 MIN 13:57
16.1 PIR 7.2
GEORGIOS PAPAGIANNIS
Panathinaikos OPAP Athens | Center | July 3, 1997 | Greece
Georgios Papagiannis had just turned 18 when he made his debut in the EuroLeague. Five years later he’s a benchmark in the key and in the present and future of Panathinaikos OPAP Athens. He’s improving exponentially and has career-high averages in almost all the main statistical categories. He’s ranked 11th in two-point field goals, fifth in rebounds and second in blocks.
2020-21 vs. 2019-20
9.5 PTS 6.9
65.6% 2PT 63%
14.3% 3PT 0%
82.4% FT 66.7%
6.6 REB 4.7
1.1 AST 0.2
0.3 STL 0.4
1.9 BLK 0.9
1 TOV 1
24:05 MIN 17:32
15.3 PIR 8.7