By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
Like a microwave, these players can heat up quickly. Despite not starting a single game in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the players listed below have managed to help their teams time and time again in a variety of ways. The role of a strong second unit has grown in importance over the years to the point that many bench players can be considered more valuable than starters.
Eurohoops presents the best players with zero games started this season.
ROLANDS SMITS
FC Barcelona | Forward | June 25, 1995 | Latvia
4.2 pts | 3.5 reb | 0.5 ast | 0.4 stl | 0 blk | 0.8 tov | 16:05 min | 4.7 PIR | 24 G
Rolands Smits has been with Barcelona since 2018. Never a big star as plenty of his teammates meet that criteria, Smits has certainly been a crucial member of the second unit.
His season-high of 11 points should not distract from the fact that his shot selection generates 60% from inside the arc. He has made all his free throws attempts, too. Making only 20.5% from three-point range can be improved though.
HASSAN MARTIN
Olympiacos | Center | November 22, 1995| USA
4 pts | 3.3 reb | 0.1 ast | 0.2 stl | 0.4 blk | 0.5 tov | 13:05 min | 5.1 PIR | 21 G
Undersized centers have always been a thing for the Reds and, although he has not been able to match the previous season’s 72% shooting on two-pointers, Hassan Martin’s remains a valuable player for Olympiacos.
His season-high is just 10 points. He achieved those in a season-high 24:31 on the road against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, but it was not enough to prevent a 94-80 loss.
SHAQUIELLE MCKISSIC
Olympiacos | Guard | August 17, 1990 | USA
6.4 pts | 1.9 reb | 1.4 ast | 0.7 stl | 0.1 blk | 0.6 tov | 16:19 min | 6.5 PIR | 23 G
In his third season with Olympiacos, Shaquielle McKissic has become a key member of the squad. Despite the declining stats, bringing additional energy off the bench makes up lost ground. For example, his 14-point showing in the recent win over AX Armani Exchange Milan.
His season-high of 18 points came in an 84-65 triumph over archrival Panathinaikos OPAP Athens.
RUDY FERNANDEZ
Real Madrid | Guard | April 4, 1985 | Spain
6.5 pts | 3.3 reb | 1.9 ast | 0.9 stl | 0.1 blk | 0.5 tov | 19:12 min | 7.8 PIR | 22 G
At age 36, Rudy Fernandez is still an essential player for Los Blancos. Ranking seventh in playing time at Real Madrid, he capitalizes on every opportunity.
His season-high of 14 points against ALBA Berlin pops out among three double-digit showings. Overall, he has been stuffing the stat sheet and has nine games with a PIR of at least 10.
NIKOLA IVANOVIC
Crvena Zvezda mts | Guard | February 19, 1994 | Montenegro
7.9 pts | 1.8 reb | 2.9 ast | 0.6 stl | 0 blk | 1.2 tov | 16:16 min | 9.3 PIR | 19 G
Nikola Ivanovic is a peculiar addition to the list. A bench player for Crvena Zvezda mts constantly limited to 16 minutes or less, his production emulates averages generated by the starters.
Double-digit scoring performances in seven games so far are highlighted by his season-best 21 points against Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. He ranks 20th overall in points per 40 minutes.
OTHELLO HUNTER
FC Bayern Munich | Center | May 28, 1986 | USA
7.6 pts | 5.3 reb | 1.1 ast | 0.7 stl | 0.5 blk | 1 tov | 21:36 min | 10.1 PIR | 24 G
References are not necessary for EuroLeague players the likes of Othello Hunter. Moving through his ninth campaign with his sixth different team, the 2019 champion as a member of CSKA Moscow carries on as a force to be reckoned with in the paint.
His total of double-digit scoring showings with FC Bayern Munich is eight, highlighted by a double-double against Crvena Zvezda.