By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Five rounds into the EuroLeague regular season and several “rookies” have already made headlines with their performances, game-winners, highlights and overall impact that has led their teams to even some stunning results.
This “new blood” that has been flowing into the EuroLeague is strong and actually enriching for the competition that has seen some of its most sensational play this season by these hoopers. Behold of those 10 already notable new faces in the 2021-22 EuroLeague.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne)
Numbers by Round 5: 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 9.4 PIR in 13:49 minutes
In pure Antetokounmpo fashion (some say it runs in the family), Kostas has been dunking his way through a really solid streak of performances in his first five EuroLeague games.
His most memorable moments arrived in Round 3 and the very finish of the game vs. reigning champion Anadolu Efes. Antetokounmpo first dropped the putback, go-ahead basket and then contained lightning-fast Shane Larkin to secure one of the biggest wins in ASVEL’s modern EuroLeague history. It was a sequence that demonstrated how Kostas can be everywhere on the floor and even influence the game in winning ways on both ends.
Isaiah Canaan (UNICS Kazan)
Numbers by Round 5: 15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 8.4 PIR in 25:41 minutes
Not only did Isaiah Canaan carry every single one of his bucket-making manners from a super debut run in the 7DAYS EuroCup last season but he has elevated them sufficiently to adjust them to the challenging EuroLeague arena.
Canaan produces more points, shoots the ball better (he has a EuroLeague second-highest 37 3-pointers on 40 percent) and he’s currently leading Unics in scoring. He had his season-high vs. Bayern Munich when he scored 21 points on 5-9 triples to push his team to the first- and only so far – 2021-22 win.
Oscar da Silva (ALBA Berlin)
Numbers by Round 5: 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 18.5 PIR in 29:07 minutes
Less than two weeks after he joined with Alba Berlin and while being a EuroLeague rookie, Oscar da Silva put a strong stamp on one of the major upsets of the season so far: The Albatrosses’ win over powerhouse Fenerbahce Beko.
His 22 points, five rebounds and stout defense vs. Fener while playing in the mostly unfamiliar position of a center was an impressive, highly promising introduction for da Silva in the top level European basketball. Unfazed by his lack of experience, he has assumed extra responsibility with his squad in light of injury problems, exceeding expectations.
Conner Frankamp (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Numbers by Round 5: 8.0 points, 6.4 PIR in 15:43 minutes
Conner Frankamp’s first-ever EuroLeague game should be a part of “Making the most out of an opportunity” curricula. After Zenit lost star guard Shabazz Napier (a guy who could easily have been on this list) to injury, Frankamp was promoted to a starter and scored a game-high 18 points in the Round 1 away win over Unics.
He also balled to prevent an upset from Bayern Munich in Round 4 with crucial baskets in key moments of the game. Frankamp showed that he can be an asset for Zenit and an extra weapon that Xavi Pascual can throw on the floor at any time for some instant damage.
Devon Hall (AX Armani Exchange Milan)
Numbers by Round 5: 11.2 points, 6.8 PIR in 27:31 minutes
Devon “The Iceberg” Hall. Just ask any player how shiny of a badge it is to have the stones to hit a game-winning 3-pointer with your team down in the last seconds, especially after misfiring all your previous shots.
This was how Hall prevented the upset for Milano against ASVEL. This was actually the first game of his maiden EuroLeague season in which he didn’t finish in double figures since he overall has been one of Milano’s most steadily consistent scorers.
Donta Hall (AS Monaco)
Numbers by Round 5: 9.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 12.6 PIR in 16:18 minutes
Donta Hall has simply been one of the main reasons Monaco began it’s first-ever EuroLeague run with two wins and then gave contenders Real Madrid and Barcelona a run for their money.
The former NBA big man has been a force in the pick n’ roll with his strong and often brutal dives to the basket while being the pillar for Monaco on the other end, defending and protecting the rim on a deeper level than what numbers (like his EuroLeague second-highest 1.7 blocks) imply.
Daryl Macon Jr. (Panathinaikos OPAP)
Numbers by Round 5: 14.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 14.6 PIR in 24:52 minutes
Five games with double-digit numbers and none with less than 13 points is the story so far for Daryl Macon Jr.. Count his 54.7 percent on field goals as an extra, important plus.
Results haven’t been in favor of Macon or Panathinaikos since the Greens move to Round 6 with a 1 – 4 record. But not for lack of trying. The latest example took place in Tel Aviv where Macon scored 12 points in the last five minutes to push Panathinaikos to a wild comeback attempt from down 20. His team still lost but this fighting spirit can serve as a guide as the Greek side will be looking for those much-needed wins.
Josh Nebo (Zalgiris Kaunas)
Numbers by Round 5: 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 16.0 PIR in 24:30 minutes
While Josh Nebo has been going viral by making a slamfest out of nearly every game he has played so far, he’s much more than alley-oops, posters and all sorts of dunking goodness. His hustle, energy and commitment in defense make him a strong two-way presence that coach Jure Zdovc can heavily count on his pursuit to dig Zalgiris out of a winless hole.
Zalgiris will definitely need more of the Nebo juice to bounce back and beginning to get some victories in order to not fall way behind in the playoff race.
Elie Okobo (LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne)
Numbers by Round 5: 18.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 18.2 PIR in 27:01 minutes
Is it way too early to name Elie Okobo the mega favorite for an unofficial EuroLeague Rookie of the Year award? Or, better even, mark his name as All-EuroLeague potential?
Five rounds into 2021-22 and Okobo has already taken the competition by storm with some “superstar in the making” stuff. Not only is he the second-highest scorer (behind only CSKA star Will Clyburn) in total numbers, but he shoots the ball with a ridiculously efficient combination of 63.4 percent on 2-pointers and 57.9 percent on 3-pointers. Sorry, not sorry basketball purists, but we’ll overlook that he has more turnovers (23) than assists (21).
ASVEL has reaped the fruits of his game by having 3-2 wins, with the loss to Milano arriving at the very last moments. We have a long way to go but Okobo could be the one to propel the French club to the next level.