by Utkan Sahin & M. Bahadır Akgun / info@eurohoops.net
Following the confirmation of the 18 teams set to participate in the 2021-22 edition of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Eurohoops looks into the players with the most extended representation of those clubs in the modern history of the competition. The list of players with the most appearances for each side combines the past with the present and sets the bar for the future.
The games calculated stretch through the modern history of EuroLeague. Games played prior to 2000 were not counted.
Also, AS Monaco entering its first EuroLeague season could not be included.
UNICS Kazan – Keith Langford
Games played: 38
Seasons: 2
Keith Langford was on board for two of three previous appearances of UNICS Kazan. He made his way to 38 matches, 10 in 2014-15 and 28 more in 2016-17.
A couple of current squad members, Pavel Antipov and Kostas Kaimakoglou follow with 32 and 29 games, respectively.
Zenit Saint-Petersburg – Will Thomas
Games played: 66
Seasons: 2
Will Thomas competing 66 times in EuroLeague the past couple of seasons evolved to a key part of Zenit Saint-Petersburg and also ranked first.
Austin Hollins is right behind him with 65 games to his name.
ALBA Berlin – Niels Giffey
Games played: 76
Seasons: 3
Niels Giffey recently moved to Zalgiris Kaunas but managed to appear in 76 games with ALBA Berlin the past three seasons. He is currently first among every player through the eight seasons the German club competed in EuroLeague.
Luke Sikma and Jonas Mattisseck share second place with 59 games apiece. A new leader may be in the cards for the next season.
LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne – David Lighty
Games played: 60
Seasons: 2
The expanded schedule of recent seasons lifted yet another player to first place, David Lighty at ASVEL. The former Ohio State standout has logged 60 games.
Charles Kahudi is tied in second place with retired Swiss Harold Mrazek. Both have played in 54 games, but of different decades.
FC Bayern Munich – Nihad Djedovic
Games played: 97
Seasons: 6
An FC Bayern Munich regular since 2013, Nihad Djedovic takes first place here. His current tally is 97 games.
Vladimir Lucic has provided his services in 86 contests. Leon Radosevic and Paul Zipser follow in third place with 85 appearances each.
AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano – Kaleb Tarczewski
Games played: 121
Seasons: 4
Kaleb Tarczewski can be on his way out but completed the climb up to first place on Olimpia Milano’s list. He handled the center responsibilities in 121 tilts of the past four seasons.
Vladimir Micov follows with 115 games to his name. His run has also stretched through the last four editions of EuroLeague.
Crvena Zvezda mts – Branko Lazic
Games played: 173
Seasons: 7
Branko Lazic has survived several roster adjustments in a lengthy stay at Crvena Zvezda. All of his 173 EuroLeague games have been recorded with the Serbian powerhouse.
Ognjen Dobric has upped his own total to 93 games the last four years. He is second behind his captain.
TD Systems Baskonia – Ilimane Diop
Games played: 193
Seasons: 8
The first player going over the 200-game mark with Baskonia can be Ilimane Diop. The Senegal-born center sits at 193 following the completion of his seventh EuroLeague season.
Retired Sergi Vidal ranks second with 168 matches.
Fenerbahce Beko – Jan Vesely
Games played: 200
Seasons: 7
Czech star Jan Vesely is the Fenerbahce record-man with a nicely-rounded 200 games in his account. He has been a big part of the Turkish powerhouse since returning from the NBA in 2014. A champion in 2017 and MVP in 2019.
Captain Melih Mahmutoglu stands second thanks to his 177 appearances.
Anadolu Efes – Dogus Balbay
Games played: 211
Seasons: 11
Anadolu Efes captain Dogus Balbay has produced a GP in 211 contests with his side since 2011. Players and coaches have come and gone, but his lasting contribution ranks him in the first place.
Bryant Dunston arrived in 2015 after a couple of seasons at Olympiacos and has since logged 170 appearances up to the recent championship game versus FC Barcelona.
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv – Derrick Sharp
Games played: 195
Seasons: 10
Derrick Sharp becoming synonymous with Maccabi off the long and successful run extending from 1996 to 2011 displays him in the top spot of the Israeli club. He was present in 195 matches of modern EuroLeague after 2001, including the back-to-back championships of 2004 and 2005.
His teammate back in the day, Tal Burstein last played in 2012 but his 178 games played are good enough for the runner-up position.
CSKA Moscow – Andrey Vorontsevich
Games played: 274
Seasons: 14
CSKA Moscow holding its fair share of heavy-hitters has Andrey Vorontsevich on top of the list. The Russian forward lasting from 2006 to 2020 recorded all of 274 EuroLeague appearances with CSKA. A lengthy run highlighted by three EuroLeague titles.
Captain Nikita Kurbanov can overtake him next season considering he is likely to add on his 267 games.
Panathinaikos OPAP – Dimitris Diamantidis
Games played: 278
Seasons: 12
Three championships through 12 seasons and 278 games. A legend in Dimitris Diamantidis. A big part of Panathinaikos history on the court and a developing contribution from the front office.
There is no threat in sight for Diamantidis. Kostas Tsartsaris ranks second with 214 games but has been retired for nearly a decade.
Olympiacos – Georgios Printezis
Games played: 308
Seasons: 16
Georgios Printezis at 36 looks down to the remaining players with long runs at Olympiacos. He recently went over the 300-game mark finishing the 2020-21 season with a total of 308 appearances.
Another longtime member of the Reds, Vassilis Spanoulis is second having upped his own personal tally to 282.