By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is finally on our doorstep. Aside from the league’s already established players, there are several newcomers with the capacity to make a splash in their first year in Europe’s premier club basketball competition.
In this article, we have picked five notable EuroLeague rookies that fans should definitely pay attention to and follow during the 2024-25 season.
Evan Fournier – Olympiacos Piraeus
We used that word ‘rookie’ above and, honestly, it’s kind of weird to apply that term to a player like Evan Fournier. After all, he enters the EuroLeague as an experienced, seasoned and battle-hardened veteran who has featured in the best competitions in the world – from the NBA to major international tournaments.
Olympiacos acquired Fournier as it looked to add a potential flamethrower on offense. The Reds were already a tight team with an enviably smooth system to go with some strong defensive principles. Yet they lacked an essential scoring depth and options, especially when it comes to players who can attack the basket in 1v1 and take advantage of isolation situations.
This is where Fournier comes in play for Olympiacos. An exceedingly charismatic scorer who can create separation with his dribbles in order to execute from every area of the floor, he’s able to make the most out of the team’s fluid passing game to threaten off the ball and as cutter as well.
TJ Shorts – Paris Basketball
Terrell McIntyre 2.0? It’s hard to not make the comparison to the former All-EuroLeague player when we see another leftie guard who measures less than 1.80 meters.
Shorts climbed every single rank in European basketball to reach the peak that is the EuroLeague. And he did so with a stunning season in the BKT EuroCup last year, leading Paris Basketball to the title and earning both season and Finals MVP honors along the way.
Now, can Shorts deliver that same kind of brilliance among the best of the best on the continent? He definitely has plenty of tools at his disposal: great reads, phenomenal speed, excellent finishing moves close to the basket, and lethal jumpers and floaters from mid-range. While not the best three-point shooter around (26.5% last season in the EuroCup), he can still find many ways to punish any defense that takes him lightly.
Carlik Jones – Partizan Belgrade
South Sudan made sure to grab the attention of basketball fans around the globe with their performances at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games. And one player of the team who made a particular impression was guard Carlik Jones.
The 26-year-old has had some stunning displays with the South Sudan team and his latest outing in Paris certainly got the attention of Partizan Belgrade. The Serbian powerhouse was undergoing a massive rebuild this past summer and was in need of someone who could take complete command of the offense.
Enter Jones and his explosive, dynamic game that can raise the roof in Stark Arena. He’ll have help from the best in Zeljko Obradovic to successfully translate his game to EuroLeague basketball.
Nenad Dimitrijevic – Olimpia Milano
Nenad Dimitrijevic arrived at Olimpia Milano as both the season and playoffs MVP in the VTB League in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Guess what? In his first official competition with the team, he… drum roll… claimed MVP honors as Milano won the Super Cup trophy. Quite the entrance by the 26-year-old playmaker.
Dimitrijevic is already establishing himself as one of Milano’s leaders and could be the breath of fresh air the team needs to finally retrace its path back to the playoffs and – why not? – maybe the Final Four.
Rayjon Tucker – Virtus Bologna
Another EuroCup alumni, former NBA guard Rayjon Tucker was one of the sensations of the season last year with Reyer Venezia. A slasher who can dismantle opposing set defenses and also run the floor in the blink of an eye, the American player will turn many heads with his dazzling style in the EuroLeague.
Tucker is certainly someone to watch because his game is simply so fun. He’s a walking, talking highlight-producing machine thanks to his superb athletic abilities and affinity for dunking the ball.