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 240 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.
If you missed it, here’s our 100 to 91 rankings. So let’s continue to countdown.
#90 Tornike Shengelia 1991 2m.06 F Baskonia
He could have been higher on the list based on his individual quality. But we only saw him in 9 games last year because of his injuries and, plus, we are not expecting Baskonia to be able to have a similar course to last year’s… A player with very goodelements in offense, if he gets into a rhythm he’s able to do damage to any defense. He’s not at the same level defensively and he can definitely improve his range in thedepartment of rebounds.
#89 Austin Daye 1988 2m.11 F Galatasaray
An interesting case! He’s not higher on our list because we haven’t seen him in any big European tournaments before. Charismatic in offense, something that he proved in Italy in the colors of Pesaro, being the top scorer in the championship with 21,2 points on average. A very good scorer from any range despite his size, effective in rebounding as well. Ataman is expecting a lot from Daye, so are we, since if he takes advantage of his talent he can really raise his “stock” in European basketball.
#88 James Feldeine 1988 1m.93 G Panathinaikos
His first season in the Euroleague was positive and he proved he belongs in the top European league. We feel, though, that this year he faces a challenge to repeat last year’s performance levels. Panathinaikos has Mike James, Pappas is starting the season healthy and, all told, it appears that he has to outdo himself in order to claim the possessions that were allocated to him last year in execution and creation.
#87 Blake Schilb 1983 2m.01 F Galatasaray
A prolific forward who can do a lot of things on the court. He scores in many ways, gets rebounds and, for a forward, he’s at an excellent level in the creative part. We are expecting a productive season from Schilb, who would have been several places higher up the list if he were playing for one of the favorites to qualify for the Final Four.
#86 Bryce Cotton 1992 1,86 m. G Anadolu Efes
In his first Euroleague season he is a player worth to watch! After leaving his mark in NCAA with Providence, he decided this summer to sign in Europe and have his maiden voyage across the Atlantic. He is fast, he can score in any possible way and he is hard to defend. He can penetrate and finish plays, he has a mid range jump shot, he can shoot after dribble and if he gets hot, he is also dangerous from the three point line. He gives an other dimension to the backcourt of Efes, as he can not only score, but also create due to his ability to “read” the court and make decisions.
#85 Luka Mitrovic 1993 2m.04 F Crvena Zvezda
We wish, above all, that he stays healthy after last year’s problems and that he has a “full” season. He knows a lot of basketball, he’s actively involved in all aspects of the game and he’s going to be the reference point in his team’s offense. He can shoot, he has strength, technique and effectiveness in the low post, while he’s just as good at reading defenses and creating. If he’s healthy, he’ll definitely have a breakout season.
#84 Victor Khryapa 1982 2m.03 F CSKA Moscow
Happily in his 12th season with the “bear” in the Euroleague! Last year’s basket with the follow at the end of regular time of the final atoned him once and for all for his mistake in the Final Four in Milan! He doesn’t have the same amount of energy anymore, but being mature and experienced he can contribute quality minutes to the European champions with his prolific game and all the little things he does in defense and in offense.
#83 Luka Doncic 1999 1m.98 G Real Madrid
What is a 17-year-old doing on our list? He’s not just… any kid! The Slovenian is ready for a fixed role in Real’s rotation and the acquisition of Draper after the loss of Sergio Rodriguez shows precisely this intention on Laso’s part. We believe that he’s going to make his presence felt in the league, he’s going to have nights when he’ll contribute quietly with defenses, rebounds, and assists, and others when he will shine with productivity and scoring! One of the biggest prospects in Europe based on his talent and mentality.