Βy Giorgos Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
The 2017-2018 season is over and Real Madrid is the ultimate winner, while the rest of the teams are concerned with everything that went wrong on the court.
The clubs want to appear improved in the new season and the coaches, in collaboration with the teams’ management, have already started thinking about the day after. This includes several transfer moves at a time when long-range shooting and the three-pointer are an integral part of every team’s game plan.
Eurohoops singles out players who possess a venomous shot and who are definitely on the transfer list of several EuroLeague teams…
James Nunnally
Stats: 9.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 55.4%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 50.6%
James Nunnally was signed by Fenerbahce in the summer of 2016 and immediately helped the Turkish team reach the historic EuroLeague win in May of 2017. Zeljko Obradovic gave the American even more playing time in the season that was just completed and he took full advantage of the opportunity by improving his averages.
The 55.4% with which Nunnally executes from behind the 6.75m line is the second-best percentage in the competition and places him among the most charismatic shooters. His contract expires in the next few weeks and it remains to be seen whether Fenerbahce will make a move in order to renew their collaboration with the player.
Any coach who wants to add to his roster a guard that’s a threat from long-range has the name of James Nunnally very high on his transfer list.
Matt Janning
Stats: 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 38.8%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 39.3%
Matt Janning is one of the “hottest” shooters in Europe and a constant threat for rival defenses as long as he’s on the court. If he gets into a rhythm, it’s hard to stop him, while he can also execute as a spot shooter but also after a dribble.
Baskonia’s fast game, with their great freedom of movement and many threes, is a perfect match for the American, who counted a total of 62 for 160 three-pointers this season, a 39.3% figure.
Janning has considerable experience in Europe as he has been playing in the EuroLeague and the EuroCup since 2012, while his price isn’t incredibly high. A classic case of a ‘value for money’ player, who, armed with a venomous shot, has been finding contracts for years.
KC Rivers
Stats: 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 35.8%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 38.6%
KC Rivers has a career percentage that is close to 40% from outside the 6.75m line and his three-pointers have roused Panathinaikos’s fans on multiple occasions. This season’s 35.8% may have been one of his worst personal performances but there is a reason for it, as a left shoulder injury threw him off rhythm.
The American doesn’t need a lot of time or space to become dangerous and if he has a good start to a game then the rival defense will have to be especially careful with him. A good screen is usually enough for him to take advantage and execute, while he can also hit the mark after a dribble too.
Important note: Rivers’ contract with Panathinaikos is expiring but this doesn’t mean that the two sides will necessarily terminate their collaboration as they still need to negotiate. More will become clear after the end of the Greek championship.