By Stefan Djordjevic/ sdjordjevic@eurohoops.net
The Basketball Champions League has concluded its fifth campaign successfully and it once again showcased many elite players who proved their worth throughout the season.
The competition was no stranger to players with experience from the top leagues across Europe but also from the NBA, and it has also been helping top Draft prospects gain it as well.
With that in mind, Eurohoops picked out four players who’ve already experienced NBA – and are ready to try again – as well as one prospect that is likely to get a chance to do so soon.
Bonzie Colson (SIG Strasbourg)
Who else to start with than the MVP of the 2020-21 Basketball Champions League. Bonzie Colson put on an exemplary run with the French team, leading his squad to the Final Four with 18.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on average.
His best performance came in the regular season, against VEF Riga, when he banked in 31 points while adding eight rebounds, four steals, and one block.
The forward used everything he learned in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks to the fullest and he will without a doubt be looking for another chance to prove himself in the States.
Kyle Wiltjer and Sam Dekker (Turk Telekom)
Turk Telekom couldn’t replicate its success from last year when they managed to get to the Final Eight Tournament, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
The newly assembled squad, the coronavirus and the injuries all did their part in making the season challenging for one of the early favorites to go all the way.
A bigger challenge meant that some players would have to step up for the Turkish team and two former NBAers did so on a regular basis.
Kyle Wiltjer averaged 15.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while Sam Dekker logged 13.5 points, 5.8 boards, and 2.1 assists per game.
Both had a number of 20+ point performances while Wiltjer went off for 33 early in the season against Hapoel Jerusalem.
There’s no doubt that the former Rockets wish to find their way back to the NBA and Wiltjer’s words to Eurohoops at the start of the season may describe that the best.
“That’s my home. For American players, that’s definitely always a dream. Because there is nothing better than playing in front of friends and family. I would love to play in the NBA someday, but I love Europe as well. I’m just very at peace with basketball and having a great time.”
Isaiah Miles (Hapoel Unet-Credit Holon)
Isaiah Miles is the first player on this list that didn’t log any games in the NBA but he’s been on the radar of some teams and has been regularly searching for his chance via the G League and the Summer League where he had stints with Dallas, Philadelphia, and Orlando over the years.
The 26-year-old forward has always been a prolific three-point shooter and he even stepped it up a notch this season, making a statement as the BCL’s leading long-range scorer.
Miles was taking on more shots than any other player but has also been making them at an extraordinary rate of 55.3% (3.5-6.3). His averages accumulated to 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Yoan Makoundou (Cholet)
Last but not least, the fifth entry to the list belongs to an NBA Draft prospect who is likely to get his name called up this year.
Yoan Makoundou has been turning heads in the stands with his raw athleticism and that must’ve impressed the scouts worldwide as well.
This dunk from the domestic league clash back in March may be the ultimate proof of that.
First-degree murderpic.twitter.com/eyakZ78Ro3
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) March 27, 2021
The 20-year-old embraced his role with Cholet this year, securing more minutes and bringing huge energy to the floor, doing everything he can for the team while also improving in some key areas for his future. His effort didn’t go unnoticed and the young big earned the BCL Best Young Player award.
Makoundou averaged 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds with two of his best games coming against Hapoel Holon and AEK when he scored 20 and 18 points respectively while adding eight and nine rebounds along the way.