By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Averaging nearly two steals per game in the Basketball Champions League, Howard Sant-Roos climbing on top of the all-time list of players with the most steals is simple math.
The native of Havana, Cuba, has focused his career in Europe, displaying his talents across several countries. BCL credentials include getting the Best Defensive Player nod of the 2023-24 season. The next defensive step is passing longtime floor general of JDA Dijon, David Holston.
With the French club and former Chicago State standout competing in the 2024-25 installment of the FIBA Europe Cup, the coast is clear for Sant-Roos, only four steals away from tying Holston.
From Nymburk and AEK to Murcia
Back in the 2016-17 season, Sant-Roos introduced himself through the inaugural season of the Champions League through CEZ Nymburk, now ERA Nymburk. He put up 2.3 steals per contest, besides 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, helping the Czech club move beyond the Regular Season, under the guidance of Ronen Ginzburg. Falling to Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari in a home-and-away series by a margin of one point ended the continental campaign.
After powering up Darussafaka, pushing the team coached by David Blatt to winning the 2017-18 7DAYS EuroCup season, he resurfaced in the BCL with AEK over the next two years. He averaged 1.7 steals per game and was named in the All-Defensive Team of the 2018-19 campaign before adding 2.2 steals per game in the 2019-20 campaign. His efforts combined with the Queen reaching the Quarterfinals and the Final Four championship game, respectively.
From the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as a member of Panathinaikos and CSKA, and following one year with Casademont Zaragoza, Sant-Roos signed with Murcia before the 2023-24 season. He recorded 1.7 steals per contest en route to becoming the Best Defensive Player last season, before starting the ongoing BCL campaign with 0.7 steals per game over two appearances.
Completing the puzzle
A veteran of extended runs and a solid defensive standout in the league, Sant-Roos would love to add a BCL championship to a long list of titles won during his career, including the 2019 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
First things first. With 114 steals to his name, he needs four more to tie Holston and five to become the sole leader on the list of players with the most in Champions League history. The current leader has 118 over six campaigns and 72 games played with Dijon. Sant-Roos is set to play his 60th game via his sixth campaign against FMP Soccerbet in Belgrade’s Aleksandar Nikolic Hall on Wednesday.
Determination for the extra effort in defense is a given, an integral part of his game. Helping the Universitarios get a win with some steals on the side can combine climbing the ladder with a 3-1 W-L tally in Group H of the Regular Season, more than enough for at least a berth in the Play-Ins and strengthen the bid for a direct ticket to the Round of 16.
Last season, Murcia ranked third in the Final Four held in Belgrade, repeating the conclusion of the 2018 Final Four in Athens. Looking to survive challenges in the Regular Season at this point of the continental journey, the team coached by Sito Alonso is among the championship contenders thanks to players the likes of Sant-Roos.
Photo Credit: FIBA