By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
It feels like you’ve been watching them forever, but at the same time, you are not at all tired of watching them. And you’ll keep watching them for some time to come. Why? The answer could not be simpler. Having turned 35 – and, in some cases, even older – they are performing as if they were much younger and are definitely an example to follow for those who are actually younger.
How many have the talent, quality, consistency and careers of Real Madrid‘s Felipe Reyes (1980), Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul’s Ali Muhammed (1983), Valencia Basket’s Fernando San Emeterio (1984), Zalgiris Kaunas’ Paulius Jankunas (1984), Madrid’s Rudy Fernandez (1985), Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade’s Taylor Rochestie (1985) or Zenit St Petersburg’s Vitaly Fridzon (1985)?
Eurohoops presents the top five in points scored so far this season out of the over-35 generation.
VASSILIS SPANOULIS
Olympiacos Piraeus | Guard | August 7, 1982 | Greece
7 pts | 1.3 reb | 3 ast | 0.9 stl | 0 blk | 1.5 tov | 17:30 min | 5.8 PIR
There’s no need for any recommendations when it comes to Vassilis Spanoulis. Olympiacos Piraeus’s captain is one of the all-time best in the EuroLeague and has the statistical records to prove it (career leader in points and assists, among others). Coming from successive surgeries on his right foot, his numbers may not be as high as they’ve been in the recent past but woe to any opposing team that focuses on those and not his greatness.
GEORGIOS PRINTEZIS
Olympiacos Piraeus | Forward | February 22, 1985 | Greece
8.4 pts | 2.5 reb | 1.3 ast | 0.1 stl | 0 blk | 1 tov | 17:35 min | 8.8 PIR
The man who beat time – with his own signature move – in the EuroLeague final of 2012 and gave Olympiacos one of their three trophies in the competition (1997, 2012, 2013) could not have been beaten by time, too, not even at 35 years of age. Georgios Printezis always stood out for his quality and consistency and, so far, this season is not very different. You can ask all the teams that have already faced him.
VLADIMIR MICOV
AX Armani Exchange Milan | Guard | April 16, 1985 | Serbia
10 pts | 2.7 reb | 2 ast | 0.7 stl | 0 blk | 1 tov | 23:08 min | 10 PIR
Vladimir Micov has changed many teams in his career, but he hasn’t played in any of them for as long as AX Armani Exchange Milan (2017-present). We don’t even have to ask why. These seasons are his best in the EuroLeague. Already in three games since his return from an injury he’s scoring in double digits again – and his contribution is not limited to scoring. Far from it.