By Semih Altınbaş / info@eurohoops.net
An entirely different situation for the teams participating in the Basketball Champions League playoffs with a second group stage instead of one-on-one matchups. The format of the Regular Season was altered as well producing to its maximum potential and eventually advancing the 16 best teams into the playoffs. Action resumes tomorrow, Tuesday, with many under-the-radar players who could be the difference-makers in the next six games.
Eurohoops compiled a list containing the top ten players expected to leave their own mark on the Champions League playoffs. Our picks, presented in random order, are likely to make headlines moving towards the Final 8 and in the future.
Kristers Zoriks (VEF Riga)
Age: 22
Position: Guard
Stats: 6 GP | 14.2 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 2.0 APG | 56.2% 3PT
The young guard of VEF Riga, Kristers Zoriks was responsible for his side securing the playoff ticket with a clutch three against Peristeri in the final round of the Regular Season. He is among the players standing out in the squad and carries a ton of potential.
His creative abilities are limited playing alongside primary ball-handler Kyle Allman Jr. but his showings are still great. His overall style reminds Kevin Pangos. Fans should keep an eye on the Latvian sharpshooter.
Berkan Durmaz (Tofas)
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Stats: 6 GP | 8.5 PPG | 5.8 RPG | 2.2 APG | 45% 3PT
Berkan Durmaz has been around for some time, with Tofas since 2015. He has been improving every season. An extremely focused power forward and a valuable member of the Turkish club’s rotation, he greatly impacts games mainly through his long-range shots.
Jeremy Simmons, Tarik Phillip, and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell dominate the plays set up by Hakan Demir, but his contribution often makes all the difference. Durmaz, through his defense as well, is more than capable to evolve his role in a greater capacity during the playoffs.
Derek Willis (Happy Casa Brindisi)
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Stats: 4 GP | 11.8 PPG | 4.3 RPG | 50% 3PT
One of the most important players for Happy Casa Brindisi, Derek Willis is yet another player to watch in the playoffs. Coming off a successful term at ratiopharm Ulm, he moved his talents to Italy and has since continued improving his status in Europe.
An excellent example of a two-way expert in the paint, Willis makes his teams better and is proving as much at Brindisi. We confidently rank him among the team leaders next to D’ Angelo Harrison.
Marcus Foster (Turk Telekom)
Age: 25
Position: Guard
Stats: –
Marcus Foster began his 2020-21 campaign at Panathinaikos OPAP but is now back in the Champions League. Shortly after parting ways with the Greens, his move to Turk Telekom was made official.
Turk Telekom also added Johnny O’Bryant III to replace Michael Eric. Sam Dekker and Kyle Wiltjer still on board seemed to lack something extra. Incoming Foster covers that gap and can be the deciding factor on the outcome of the season.
Luke Petrasek (Nizhny Novgorod)
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Stats: 4 GP | 12.5 PPG | 6.0 RPG | 1.5 APG | 71.4% 3PT
Luke Petrasek holds an important spot in the Nizhny Novgorod system. Extending his solid performances in the playoffs would be vital in the Russian outlet’s hopes to clinch a Final 8 berth.
A player capable to score the ball from beyond the arc is likely to attract attention from other European teams in the near future. The next six games generate him the opportunity to further display his talents at the very competitive level provided by the Champions League.
Fran Guerra (Lenovo Tenerife)
Age: 28
Position: Center
Stats: 6 GP | 9.5 PPG | 5.2 RPG | 1.5 APG | 71.9% 2PT
Fran Guerra is not the top option at the center position for Txus Vidorreta but seems to always produce for Lenovo Tenerife in limited time on the court. His contribution in 15.7 minutes per match is certainly positive.
He is a big-man any European team would enjoy as part of its rotation. Tenerife, consisting of several experienced players, is his place to shine.
Dominic Lockhart (Brose Bamberg)
Age: 26
Position: Guard
Stats: 6 GP | 9.0 PPG | 2.7 RPG | 3.2 APG | 57.6% FG
Packing previous Basketball Champions League experience stemming from his run with EWE Baskets Oldenburg, Dominic Lockhart comes in for Brose Bamberg transforming his side to one of the most dominant defensive teams of the league.
His speed and athleticism, at the core of his game, helped the German club fly through the Regular Season. He isn’t the biggest star but will definitely be a key part of potential success in the playoffs.
Jason Burnell (Dinamo Sassari)
Age: 23
Position: Forward
Stats: 6 GP | 11.0 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 3.2 APG
Jason Burnell, an athletic player looking like a small forward but establishing himself at the power forward position, is perhaps the most gifted player of the Dinamo Sassari squad.
Despite joining forces with teammates the likes of Miro Bilan, Marco Spissu, and Filip Kruslin, he is one of the most important offensive and rebounding weapons available for Gianmarco Pozzecco. Another player to watch closely.
Hayden Dalton (ERA Nymburk)
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Stats: 6 GP | 12.2 PPG | 7.5 RPG | 3.0 APG | 53.6 3PT
Anticipation is building for all 16 playoff teams but ERA Nymburk deserves a separate part of expectations for the next stage. Head coach Oren Amiel is again making things happen with a roster that in theory lacks star power compared to other top teams.
Hayden Dalton among players standing out in the Regular Season has been on the receiving end of attention from outside sources. He is a prime example of the BCL originals presenting a lasting case of outperforming opponents by constantly gaining the most possible in every play on both ends of the court.
Jasiel Rivero (Hereda San Pablo Burgos)
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Stats: 5 GP | 11.8 PPG | 5.6 RPG | 1.2 APG | 70.4 2PT
Cuban Jasiel Rivero marching through his second season with defending champion, Hereda San Pablo Burgos, seems an excellent fit inside for the Spanish club. He made over 70% of his two-pointers in the Regular Season.
Rivero, 27, causes a lot of trouble to rival teams with his quickness near the rim. He will be a key in the Burgos challenge of becoming the first back-to-back champions.