by M. Bahadır Akgün, Johnny Askounis / info@eurohoops.net
Another Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is in the books, and as the domestic leagues are also coming to an end in the coming weeks, the fun begins for the supporters of the competition and it’s none other than the free agency!
Teams will roll up their sleeves to prepare for the new season with more hope and will try to sign the best possible players for their respective teams.
Just like every year, Eurohoops is bringing its readers a series of the Top 10 free agents in every position, and the shooting guards are up next. You can check the Top 10 point guards and Top 10 shooting guards in the free agency.
Note 1: Players who have an option in their current contracts are not included on the list.
Note 2: The list has been formed in random order.
Note 3: Players who have fled Russian clubs and signed with non-Euroleague clubs are included.
James Anderson (Anadolu Efes)
Age/Country: 33 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 7 seasons – 223 games
2021-22 Stats: 28 games, 3.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 4.5 PIR
Best Game: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 12 PIR vs. CSKA Moscow (Regular Season Round 2)
Among the leading players of Anadolu Efes, James Anderson worked hard to keep his production at the level of the previous seasons. In the Final Four, he averaged 10:11 playing time per game but did not score. Moving to age 33, his role was focused on helping in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague versus the domestic league.
Rudy Fernandez (Real Madrid)
Age / Country: 37 / Spain
EuroLeague Career: 12 seasons – 300 games
2021-22 Stats: 34 games, 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 7.5 PIR
Best Game: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 24 PIR vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (Regular Season Round 30)
Now 37, Rudy Fernandez has been fully integrated into the Real Madrid system. In his 12th season in EuroLeague, the former NBA player was another solid fit in the rotation implemented by Pablo Laso, staying true to what he expects from all his players. Reaching the championship game was the reward.
Krunoslav Simon (Anadolu Efes)
Age / Country: 36 / Croatia
EuroLeague Career: 10 seasons – 238 games
2021-22 Stats: 27 games, 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 7.7 PIR
Best Game: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 26 PIR vs. ALBA Berlin (Regular Season Round 9)
After joining Anadolu Efes in 2017, Krunoslav Simon became a key part of the team drastically improving its fortunes and capturing a couple of EuroLeague titles. Experience, creativity, scoring, and more shaped his contribution in the last five years. He missed this year’s Final Four due to injury.
Mateusz Ponitka (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Age / Country: 28 / Poland
EuroLeague Career: 5 seasons – 92 games
2021-22 Stats: 20 games, 4.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 9.6 PIR
Best Game: 5 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 21 PIR vs. Crvena Zvezda mts (Regular Season Round 18)
Included in the list of players forced to an early exit due to the participation of the Russian teams being withdrawn, Mateusz Ponitka missed an opportunity to continue the upward trend making him a player drawing interest across the EuroLeague field. His versatility and commanding presence would be a great addition to many teams.
Alpha Diallo (AS Monaco)
Age / Country: 24 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 1 sezon – 34 maç
2021-22 Stats: 34 games, 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 11.5 PIR
Best Game: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 29 PIR vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (Regular Season Round 19)
Only 24, Alpha Diallo is coming off a strong rookie EuroLeague season emerging as one of the top players of AS Monaco. Due to injury, he did not play after Game 1 of the Playoffs series opposite Olympiacos. A setback falling short of the high-climbing effort until that point which proved him a solid player at this level.
Dwayne Bacon (AS Monaco)
Age / Country: 26 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 1 season – 29 games
2021-22 Stats: 29 games, 14.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 10.6 PIR
Best Game: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 21 PIR vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (Regular Season Round 19)
Another Monaco player on the list, Dwayne Bacon was firing on all cylinders packing double-digit scoring showings in 23 of his 29 appearances. Alongside Mike James, he was a big part of the success of the La Roca Team. Next season, he is likely to consider offers from major EuroLeague teams, if he elects to extend his stay in our parts.
Jeffery Taylor (Real Madrid)
Age / Country: 32 / Sweden
EuroLeague Career: 7 seasons – 202 games
2021-22 Stats: 23 games, 3.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 2.1 PIR
Best Game: 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 9 PIR vs. AS Monaco (Regular Season Round 3)
A member of Real Madrid since 2015, his playing time was reduced this season but Jeffery Taylor was indeed another reliable player of the team falling narrowly shy of the EuroLeague championship. Shifting to free agency is the next step for the experienced swingman.
Will Clyburn (CSKA Moscow)
Age / Country: 32 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 6 seasons – 160 games
2021-22 Stats: 20 games, 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 15.2 PIR
Best Game: 29 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 32 PIR vs. Olympiacos (Regular Season Round 5)
Forced to a shortened EuroLeague campaign, Will Clyburn seems to be heading to Anadolu Efes. The deal has yet to be finalized and thus is considered a free agent. He has stood out among the best players in EuroLeague for many years, including his long run with CSKA.
Nigel Hayes-Davis (FC Barcelona)
Age / Country: 27 / USA
EuroLeague Career: 3 seasons – 98 games
2021-22 Stats: 37 games, 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 4.0 PIR
Best Game: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 23 PIR vs. Crvena Zvezda mts (Regular Season Round 15)
After expanding his EuroLeague experience into FC Barcelona, Nigel Hayes-Davis has become an important target for multiple teams. Compared to his two seasons at Zalgiris, his playing time was reduced and his role limited at the Catalonia giant. But has proven again and again that he deserves a spot in EuroLeague.