By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
These five players are coming off solid 2020-21 campaigns. The offseason could have thrown them off track, especially those changing teams, but they refused to be knocked down. They all logged strong showings in Round 1 of the regular season and appear determined to keep improving on the court.
ROKAS JOKUBAITIS
FC Barcelona | Guard | 19 November 2000 | Lithuania
Playing in the EuroLeague can be extremely demanding for a 21-year-old. Especially in the case of Rokas Jokubaitis. He has accepted the challenge. His performances last season with Zalgiris Kaunas generated 7.0 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game. That was merely the beginning.
The young point guard moved to Barcelona over the summer and last week he came off the bench in his team’s 94-64 victory over ALBA Berlin at Palau Blaugrana. In 17:55 of playing time, he won over more fans than just Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. He went for 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 two steals without committing a turnover.
IFFE LUNDBERG
CSKA Moscow | Guard | 4 December 1994 | Denmark
He was going through his eighth season as a pro, still searching for the big opportunity to shine. Iffe Lundberg stayed patient and was rewarded. His showings at Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora attracted the attention of CSKA Moscow. With the Russian powerhouse looking for a backcourt upgrade last February, Lundberg received the invitation to present himself at the top level of European basketball. He was on point and still is.
After averaging 11.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest in the bottom end of the previous EuroLeague season en route to the 2021 Final Four, the 26-year-old point guard stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in the opening week of the 2021-22 season. He avoided turnovers altogether in 25:58. CSKA lost to AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano, but at a personal level, Lundberg proved himself determined to make losses a rarity in the future.
DYSHAWN PIERRE
Fenerbahce Beko | Forward | 17 November 1993 | Canada
Dyshawn Pierre started his second season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul with a bang. He
posted 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game last season in helping Fenerbahce make the EuroLeague Playoffs.
The 28-year-old small forward earned a spot in the starting unit of the first 2021-22 game after starting just six times last year. He scored 13 points, including a clutch bucket in the 61-57 victory over Crvena Zvezda mts. In addition, he tallied 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal without a single turnover in 27:57.
SASHA VEZENKOV
Olympiacos Piraeus | Forward | 6 August 1995 | Bulgaria
In most cases, relying on talent does not cut it. Success requires confidence as well. Sasha Vezenkov was attempting to make a name for himself, but lacking opportunities in challenging environments in recent years. Reuniting with Giorgos Bartzokas at Olympiacos, after working under the Greek head coach at FC Barcelona in 2016-17, did the trick.
The 26-year-old power forward stepped up in the second half of 2020-21 to average 11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Vezenkov convinced the head coach, teammates, and fans of his abilities. The next goal is leading the Reds to more wins.
He contributed 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist in 22:31 as a starter last week in a 75-50 drubbing of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.
GUERSCHON YABUSELE
Real Madrid | Forward | 17 December 1995 | France
Back in February 2020, Guerschon Yabusele opted to return to France and signed with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Few pundits were able to forecast the immediate impact. He put up 8.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game over two appearances of the 2019-20 season and came back with 11.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game over 30 games in 2020-21.
The 2021-22 debut was even better for the 26-year-old power forward. His move to Real Madrid, among the traditional major EuroLeague powers, was met with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and just 1 turnover in 27:59 as a starter in an 82-69 lopsided win over defending champion Anadolu Efes at home.
Photo credit: FC Barcelona, EuroLeague, Fenerbahce, EUROKINISSI