By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The sixth season of the Basketball Champions League extends the proud tradition of mostly unnoticed players succeeding in moving up in the basketball world.
Breakout players emerging all around Europe have been among the main themes for FIBA’s top European club competition resurfacing plenty of teams from minor leagues of the continent. The NBA was one of the destinations on multiple occasions over the years, both for young upstarts and more experienced players.
With two rounds left in the double-legged round-robin schedule in all eight Regular Season groups, Eurohoops picked out the top five under-the-radar single game showings through the first four rounds of the 2021-22 season.
SILAS MELSON (KALEV/CRAMO)
Since coming out of Gonzaga in 2018, Silas Melson went from Greece to Israel, Finland, and Belgium. As a rookie, he logged a couple of FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers games player at Lavrio. Three years later, he helped his current side, Kalev/Cramo, advance through the BCL Qualifiers. So far, he has made the most of his opportunities in the Regular Season.
Melson, 25, set his season-best at 24 points in the away win against Tofas Bursa coming off the bench on October 12. He is the top bench scorer of the 2021-22 field packing 18 points per contest. His side sitting at 1-3 is fourth in Group F but still hopes for a ticket to the next round or make the Play-Ins with the two remaining games at home.
MAX HEIDEGGER (EWE BASKETS OLDENBURG)
On loan from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Max Heidegger still fits on our list as a rookie in European club competitions. After completing his NCAA run at UC Santa Barbara, he was picked up by the Israel powerhouse and was loaned to Bnei Rav-Bariach Herzliya early in 2020-21. His second loan assignment landed him at EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
Heidegger, 24, poured 26 points in his BCL debut getting the job done down the stretch in the win against Rytas Vilnius. He was the German team’s leading scorer until being sidelined due to Achilles tendon pain and missing Round 4. Following the international break, Oldenburg will need all possible help on the road against both Rytas and Besiktas Icrypex aiming to overcome the 1-3 start in Group H.
SYLVAIN FRANCISCO (BAXI MANRESA)
Initially signed on a preseason contract, Sylvain Francisco was quick in establishing himself at Baxi Manresa, despite playing outside France for the first time. He has been among the keys in the ACB side becoming the first team to clinch a berth to the Round of 16.
Francisco, 24, did not score in his BCL debut but the second time around punished Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem with 23 points while visiting Pais Arena on October 13. He went on producing 20 points between the home and away fixtures opposite Pinar Karsiyaka. Two more games left, but Manresa has already secured the top seed in Group B.
PATRICK RICHARD (U-BET CLUJ NAPOCA)
He was part of the inaugural Champions League season, experienced swingman Patrick Richard is back with surprise package U-BET Cluj Napoca. After spreading his pro career between Germany, France, Israel, Spain, Italy, and Australia, he joined the Romanian club in 2019 and captured the domestic league championship in 2021.
Richard, 31, has come a long way since his years at McNeese State. This season, scoring 24 points in the away win versus Happy Casa Brindisi highlights his BCL efforts amounting to 17 points per game. His side currently leads Group G packing a 3-1 record, a nice touch with two rounds left.