By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague rookies are the great unknown.
Whether discussing young prospects under the spotlight for the first time or veteran athletes at their professional peak coming to the highest competition in Europe for the first time, it’s difficult to project who will sink and who will float. Here are the 10 best EuroLeague newcomers for the 2021-22 campaign.
JOSH NEBO
8.8 points | 6.2 rebounds | 0.5 assists | 0.6 steals | 0.8 blocks | 12.8 PIR
One of the positive notes from a tough Zalgiris season that included changes on the bench, non-stop movement of players, and dreadful losing streaks. These setbacks seemed to matter very little to the American big man, who despite not being a particularly tall center (206 cm tall) finished as the sixth-best rebounder in the competition thanks to his gifted physical abilities.
JOHN BROWN
10.3 points | 4.8 rebounds | 1.2 assists | 2.8 steals | 0.1 blocks | 12.5 PIR
Without a doubt, one of the great sensations of the season. The best in steals in the competition (without even counting all the balls deflected and his influence due to his presence on the court) was one of the reasons for the great season that UNICS was having. John Brown’s first season in the top continental competition was a roaring success, as he was able to be a menace on both ends of the court.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA
6.5 points | 3.8 rebounds | 0.5 assists | 0.4 steals | 1.9 blocks | 5.5 PIR
One of the great prospects in European basketball is already a solid presence at the top level. He just turned 18, but the Frenchman finished the season as the best blocker in the competition, averaging a better number than stars Walter Tavares and Georgios Papagiannis. Despite a poor start, which is not unexpected considering that it was his first experience at the highest level, and an injury, Wembanyama managed to finish the season at a high level, showing everything he is capable of on the floor.
ELIE OKOBO
14.5 points | 2.8 rebounds | 3.9 assists | 0.7 steals | 0.1 blocks | 13.5 PIR
There was a time when the Frenchman was the hottest player in the Euroleague. Despite this season being his first in the competition, Okobo proved more than ready and ASVEL benefited from it. As the days went on, his numbers – as well as the numbers of victories for the French – started to fall, but that does not take anything away from his spectacular debut season, in which he finished as the seventh-highest scorer. He is undoubtedly one of the names to keep track of.