By Utkan Şahin/ info@eurohoops.net
After the conclusion of the 2020-21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season with the Final Four held at Cologne, the focus turns to the players set to become free agents this summer.
Following the top point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards, we wrap up our lists diving into the Top 10 available centers. A strong bunch expected to impact proceedings in the summer transfer market.
Note: Players with options in their contracts are also included.
10 – Michael Eric (CSKA Moscow)
Age / Country: 32 / Nigeria
EuroLeague career: 3 seasons – 71 games
Stats: 14 games, 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds
Best game: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 27 PIR vs. LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (Regular Season Round 34)
A midseason addition for CSKA Moscow, Micheal Eric proved an effective solution after Nikola Milutinov was sidelined.
The Nigerian center made the most of his opportunities displaying once again his ability to become at least a good rotation player at this level. He will be an interesting option in free agency.
9 – Othello Hunter (Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv) *
Age / Country: 35 / USA
EuroLeague career: 8 seasons – 216 games
Stats: 27 games, 8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Best game: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 26 PIR vs. CSKA Moscow (Regular Season Round 27)
His eighth season in EuroLeague did not generate anything spectacular for Maccabi but proved Othello Hunter remains a force to be reckoned with in the paint.
His lengthy career includes stints at Olympiacos, Real Madrid, and CSKA Moscow. It’s currently hard to foresee another move as Maccabi is likely to want to retain his services for at least one more year.
* His contract includes an option for the next season
8 – Johannes Voigtmann (CSKA Moscow)
Age / Country: 28 / Germany
EuroLeague career: 5 seasons – 165 games
Stats: 37 games, 8.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Best game: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 31 PIR vs. Zenit Saint-Petersburg (Regular Season Round 32)
An injury-plagued season for CSKA Moscow helped Johannes Voigtmann make his case on an expiring contract. He was one of the many reasons, the team led by Dimitris Itoudis overcame adversity extending its run of consecutive Final Four appearances.
Effective performances in the Playoffs add to his market value. The German big stands out as a consistent player any EuroLeague team would like to pick up.
7 – Alex Poythress (Zenit Saint-Petersburg)
Age / Country: 27 / USA
EuroLeague career: 1 season – 32 games
Stats: 32 games, 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds
Best game: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 22 PIR vs. FC Barcelona (Regular Season Round 2)
Zenit Saint-Petersburg will surely like to keep him around, but Alex Poythress can change sides as a free agent. A solid debut EuroLeague season may generate several options.
Four years out of his NCAA run with Kentucky, he made it to the top level of European basketball. An exciting player to watch paired with a significant contribution to his side’s playoff berth makes him a target for the continent’s big clubs.
6 – Moustapha Fall (LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne)
Age / Country: 29 / France
EuroLeague career: 1 season – 31 games
Stats: 31 games, 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Best game: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 42 PIR vs. ALBA Berlin (Regular Season Round 9)
His return to France coincided with his rookie season in the EuroLeague. Moustapha Fall introduced himself in style to eventually become an attractive option in the free-agent market. Olympiacos is already showing interest.
His towering presence automatically forces opponents to adjustments. It worked with ASVEL and has all the makings to work anywhere else in Europe.
5 – Tarik Black (Zenit Saint-Petersburg)
Age / Country: 29 / USA
EuroLeague career: 3 seasons – 50 games
Stats: 13 games, 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds
Best game: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 21 PIR vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (Regular Season Round 34)
A strong rim protector in Tarik Black meeting free agency can launch fireworks.
He was a key factor in Zenit’s successful run after joining the Russian team in January and also provided a massive challenge to FC Barcelona with his effective defense in the Playoffs. Injuries have been an issue for the former NBA player.