By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Can there be a definite Top100 or even Top50 list of EuroLeague players? We decided once more to answer this question and as usual it wasn’t easy at all.
That’s why, as it happened last year, we used last season’s PIR (Performance Index Rating) as a starting indicator, next to our usual criteria, adding a bit of totally biased opinions on a quick debate between the main editors of the English, Turkish, Greek and Spanish editions.
With a number of big names arriving straight from the NBA, we decided that we would omit those players from the list – they have a list of their own – since it’s very hard to compare oranges to apples, meaning not only stats but the stature of players like Kemba Walker in the EuroLeague.
As usual, being part of the top teams, or having a legacy of success with them helps your chances of being selected. And of course, making it to the Final Four or winning the title is obviously a huge plus.
So our main criteria remain the following:
1) The individual quality of each player in combination with the prospect he carries for the 2022-2023 season, plus the role and playing time we anticipate he will get with his team.
2) The strength and the potential of the club the player belongs to and what he has already achieved in the league.
3) Stats and especially last season’s PIR.
It wasn’t easy but somehow we made it work and here’s the result.
50. Kostas Papanikolaou (Olympiacos)
PIR: 10.3 P: 8,7 R: 3.8
He is the golden ratio for the Top 50. A veteran guy and a force for a contending team. Simply put, still one of the best players in the league.
49. Milos Teodosic (Crvena Zvezda)
PIR: 10.5 P: 10.3 A: 6
He is not only a legend, but his numbers from last year are more than impressive.
48. Bonzie Colson (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
PER: 13.1 P: 10,7 R: 5,6
A super efficient forward on a team that made the playoffs doing the most with the opportunities he is given.
47. Keenan Evans (Zalgiris Kaunas)
PIR: 12.7 P: 10,8 A: 3,6
If he stayed healthy, Zalgiris would probably have a fighting chance in the playoffs and that’s all you need to say.
46. Rokas Giedriatis (Crvena Zvezda)
PIR: 13.5 P: 10.4 R: 5,9
There’s the impression that he hasn’t reached his ceiling but this also proves how good of a player he is.
45. Brandon Davies (Valencia)
PIR: 11.5 P:10,2 R: 3,2
His last season in Milan wasn’t one to be remembered, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is one of the best big men out there
44. Nemanja Nedovic (Crvena Zvezda)
PIR: 11.2 P: 13,3 R: 2,9
His health issues seem a thing of the past and that means things can only get better for him and his team.
43. Nando De Colo (ASVEL)
PIR: 15,5 P: 13,8 A: 3,5
By the numbers he had a great season last year, however, the results of ASVEL prove otherwise. Still, he remains a EuroLeague icon.
42. Rodrigue Beaubois (Anadolu Efes)
PIR: 11,2 P: 10,8 A: 2
This is a good example of why stats are not always the way to judge things. De Colo by the numbers was better, but Beaubois produces comparably in a very different role shooting 48,6% on three.
41. Nicolo Melli (Armani Milan)
PIR: 11,3 P: 7,9 R:5,3
One of the best big men in the league, a real captain for Milan, and also a guy who has the ability to make big plays.
40. Giorgos Papagiannis (Fenerbahce)
PIR: 11,4 P: 8,5 R: 5,7
He has many doubters because of the last season, however, he is still a force in the paint if he is in the right situation.
39. Donta Hall (Monaco)
PIR: 7,3 P: 7,8 R: 2,6
Not a long time ago, every EuroLeague team had to have an “athletic big”. While this trend is diminishing, Hall is one of the best remaining in this role out there.
38. Mario Hezonja (Real Madrid)
PIR: 9,2 P: 10.6 R: 3
His talent is undeniable, and his consistency and delivery on big moments are the next steps he needs to take.
37. Toko Shengelia (Virtus Bologna)
PIR: 11,5 P: 9,4 R: 3.1
He survived the “purge” on the Virtus roster for a good reason. Not only his numbers are consistently good, but he is also a true leader.
36. Dyshawn Pierre (Fenerbahce)
PIR: 9,3 P: 7,2 R: 3,8
On a loaded team, he has the ability to take many key shots and he usually makes it, shooting 48.6% on three, the exact same number as Beaubois.
35. Luca Vildoza (Panathinaikos)
PIR: 12.2 P: 12,6 A: 3,9
Last season in Belgrade was a masterpiece for the Argentinian who now has an even bigger challenge with Panathinaikos.
34. Markus Howard (Baskonia)
PIR: 8,4 P: 14,2 A: 1.2
He emerged as an electric scorer in his first season and the league and it seems that he is just getting started.
33. Jan Vesely (Barcelona)
PIR: 11,6 P: 9,3 R: 4
A familiar face who remains on the top level and hopes to get back on top with Barcelona.
32. Elie Okobo (Monaco)
PIR: 12 P: 12,6 A: 3,6
He is part of the admirable backcourt of Monaco and he is taking steady steps to European stardom.
31. Tomas Satoransky (Barcelona)
PIR: 12,6 P: 8,4 A: 4,3
Top play-making talent, and a real leader. What keeps him back is the inability so far to go all the way with Barcelona.