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.