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By Nikos Varlas / varlas@eurohoops.net
The season gets under way in a few days and the time has come for the top 100 Euroleague Rankings. A difficult concept, subjective, one that – by nature – creates differing opinions and disagreements!
Eurohoops begins the presentation from the bottom up and the main thing that has to be made clear is that our Rankings are not made based on those that are published about NBA players in the USA. It’s true that the individual element is very important, but we equally evaluate the team’s dynamics and potential.
Criteria
1. PLAYER’S VALUE: The overall competitive evaluation of players. The characteristics of their game, their worth, their leadership skills, their quality as a unit independent of the team they play for.
2. PLAYER’S ROLE: The importance of a player for their team as we evaluate and predict it for the new season.
3. TEAM’S WORTH: The team the player we choose plays for, its apparent value in the league in the long term and the potential it has. How far the player’s team that is chosen for the new Euroleague season can go.
4. INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL: The individual potential of the player, exclusively. The extent to which they can grow and improve, how high they can go based on their value, talent and age.
5. THE NUMBERS: The statistics we speculate the player can tally on average, when their team’s run in the Euroleague is completed. This is definitely an important criterion but the last priority for our choices, since it depends directly on the quality of the team they play for and their role in the team.
These are the 5 criteria that we factor in in order to reach an overall assessment of every player individually and from that point to draw the Top 100 Ranks. If you consider that around 360 players are registered on the rosters of the Euroleague, you will comprehend how hard and tortuous it was to make these selections!
So many players of value that we respect infinitely for whom there was not enough space and, really, from a total of 150 players, the list of the 100 was drawn up with great difficulty. Especially in the bottom 20 slots, there could be any name from the 50 that were necessarily not included and we ask for your understanding for this in advance.
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[lptitle title=”90 Dusko Savanovic “]
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#90 Dusko Savanovic 1983 2m.04 F Bayern
The years are going by but the Serb remains a quality player with constant offensive virtues. A very good shooter from the ‘4’ position, knows how to read the game, he can score closer to the basket as well, while his experience is an extra weapon in Bayern’s arsenal. Traditionally inconsistent in his performance.
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[lptitle title=”89 Joe Ragland “]
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#89 Joe Ragland 1989 1m.82 G Karsiyaka
We’re expecting that he’ll be more productive in his new team compared to the more restricted role that he had in Milano. A good scorer and facilitator, he has improved on his reading of the game and he’s economical with his attempts, and he also has good percentages in three- and two-point field goals, as well as free throws.
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[lptitle title=”88 Cory Higgins “]
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#88 Cory Higgins 1989 1.96m. G CSKA Moscow
Despite being a Euroleague rookie, he is a starter for CSKA at least at the start of the season and has his share of minutes on the court in a season which is the biggest challenge for him yet. He is atheltic, a great slasher and he is also constantly improving in his perimeter shooting. He needs to work more on his ability to ready the game and also in his passing ability.
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[lptitle title=”87 Reggie Redding “]
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#87 Reggie Redding 1988 1m.96 G Darussafaka
In his debut season in the Euroleague he showed virtues such as his prolific game and his contribution in all areas. He has size for his position, plays defense, gets rebounds, scores at a satisfying rate. If he gels with Darussafaka’s chemistry he can become very efficient and a key for Mahmuti’s team.
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[lptitle title=”86 Gal Mekel “]
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#86 Gal Mekel 1988 1m.92 Crvena Zvezda
A player of abundant talent and offensive instincts whom we haven’t seen a lot at the level of the Euroleague. It’ll be hard for Crvena Zvezda to make a new leap in the league but the Israeli guard will have a leading role and remarkable numbers, because there is no other player with his characteristics along the perimeter.
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[lptitle title=”85 Krunoslav Simon “]
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#85 Krunoslav Simon 1985 1m.97 Armani Milano
He can play in many positions, he has a strong personality, he likes taking on responsibilities in the game and he has a multidimensional profile. He scores, facilitates systematically, helps out with the rebounding and is governed by leadership tendencies. He will be key in the edifice that Jasmin Repesa is building.
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[lptitle title=”84 Paul Davis “]
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#84 Paul Davis 1984 2m.11 C Khimki
A big man of known quality, with numerous quality characteristics in offense. He can score facing the basket, with his back against it, and he’s an excellent shooter for his position. His performance will play a big role in Khimki’s course and it’s a bet whether he’ll be able to show stability and at the same time stay healthy throughout the season.
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[lptitle title=”83 Tornike Shengelia “]
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#83 Tornike Shengelia 1991 2m.06 F Laboral Kutxa
A key for Perasovic’s frontline, together with Bourousis. An athletic player with a flair for scoring, especially from surprise attack situations and in 1v1. He needs to work and show some improvement in defense, rebounding and reading the game in set pieces.
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[lptitle title=”82 Sofoklis Schortsanitis “]
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#82 Sofoklis Schortsanitis 1985 2m.06 C Crvena Zvezda
Auspiciously in his 10th season in the Euroleague! Everyone knows his strength close to the rim, his ability in post play, but also his weaknesses, such as his propensity for fouling and his inability to maintain his performance level to a high standard for many game minutes. The team environment and his role in Crvena Zvezda make for a good season.
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[lptitle title=”81 David Logan “]
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#81 David Logan 1984 1m.82 G Sassari
A classic case of an American scorer who, when finding his rhythm, can destroy any defense. He will lead the backcourt of the Italian champions and last year he proved that he can respond in duration and in the responsibilities and demands of a leadership role.
HERE you can check the 100-91 top Euroleague Rankings
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