By Evangelos Papadimitriou / info@eurohoops.net
The EuroLeague is back, with several difficulties. COVID has made things difficult for teams, players and the organizers, and several games have already been postponed.
Even so, the 18 teams are offering excellent entertainment after 6 rounds, showing they’re on the right track to return to perfectly normal competitive rhythms.
There aren’t many new faces since the NBA didn’t help much this season, with most transfers being… internal. But this doesn’t mean that important players we saw last season are playing again this season for a team in the league.
Or in any team!
Eurohoops picks out the most characteristic names of the 2019/20 season that are still without a team, even though November is already here.
Nikos Pappas
Last team: Panathinaikos
2019/20 EuroLeague stats: 4.4 points, 1.3 rebounds in 10 games
After 7 seasons in Panathinaikos, Nikos Pappas is now part of their history. The Greek guard signed with Hapoel Jerusalem for the Final Eight of the BCL, played in 1 game and is a free agent since then.
James Gist
Last team: Crvena Zvezda
2019/20 EuroLeague stats: 7 points, 4.4 rebounds in 25 games
In 2019 James Gist left Panathinaikos and signed with Crvena Zvezda. He was an important player for the Serbs, but it didn’t take long for the “divorce” to come, with the 34-year-old remaining without a team.
Matt Janning
Last team: Baskonia
2019/20 EuroLeague stats: 6 points, 2 rebounds in 28 games
Matt Janning still doesn’t have a team. He left Baskonia after three seasons there (2017-2020) and, despite his huge experience in the EuroLeague (152 games) and his poisonous shot, he’s still available.
Jeremy Evans
Last team: Khimki
2019/20 EuroLeague stats: 8.5 points, 4.4 rebounds in 21 games
Jeremy Evans is also without a team, with the American big man playing for a second season with Khimki last year right after his first with Darussafaka (2018/2019). But that’s where his journey ended.
Kosta Koufos
Last team: CSKA Moscow
2019/20 EuroLeague stats: 3.7 points, 2.8 rebounds in 17 games
CSKA Moscow made a big move in the summer of 2019 and brought Kosta Koufos to Europe for the first time. The Greek center played in the NBA for 11 seasons, but the EuroLeague probably didn’t suit him judging by the disappointing result. He’ll definitely look for and claim a spot on an NBA team in the new season.
Wesley Johnson
Last team: Panathinaikos
2019/20 EuroLeague stats: 3.3 points, 2.4 rebounds in 28 games
A similar case is that of Wesley Johnson, with the American NBAer coming to Europe for the first time for Panathinaikos. His presence was almost forgettable, with the 33-year-old looking to the ‘magical world’ once again.
Andrey Vorontsevich
Last team: CSKA Moscow
2019/20 EuroLeague stats: 3.6 points, 3 rebounds in 20 games
Andrey Vorontsevich is part of CSKA’s history. He played with the Muscovites since 2006 and together they celebrated 3 EuroLeague trophies and 8 VTB championships. But all good things come to an end, with the 33-year-old veteran searching where to go next.