By Nikos Varlas/ info@eurohoops.net
Let’s get started for another season! A concept established in Europe by Eurohoops.net regarding the top league and which is, by nature, subjective! It can generate disagreements, objections, agreements, and, above all… interest!
Criteria
- The individual quality of the player IN COMBINATION with the role and playing time we anticipate he will get in his team.
- The strength of the club he plays for. The players of the teams that are in the Top 8 and that are title contenders every season always have an edge because they combine individual quality with their club’s high aspirations.
- What each player has achieved in his career in the EuroLeague combined with the prospects he has for the 2017-18 season.
So let’s begin the countdown to the top.
#70 Alex Tyus 1988 2m.03 C
Year of Birth: 1988
Height: 2.03m
Position: Center
He has returned to the team with which he won the EuroLeague in 2014! One of the most athletic big men in the league, a very good pick-and-roll finisher and excellent in defense above the rim. He has a lot of energy, he’s experienced and what he definitely has to improve in order to be even higher on this list is his durability and consistency throughout a very long season.
#69 Nikos Pappas 1990 1m.95 G
Year of Birth: 1990
Height: 1.95m
Position: Guard
His stats last season (5.5 points and 1.3 assists per game) are definitely lower than what the talent he possesses calls for. We’re talking about a guard who’s charismatic in the 1-on-1 and in terms of his offensive instincts. It seemed like Xavi Pascual found out how to push his buttons last year, when we saw the Greek guard playing good defense and doing other important things besides scoring. If Pappas maintains and increases his coach’s confidence in him, he can become much more productive and important for his team.
#68 Hollis Thompson 1991 2m.03 F
Year of Birth: 1991
Height: 2.03m
Position: Forward
Another American rookie in the league! The strongest aspect of his game is shooting, but he can also finish plays with drives to the basket, especially in close out situations. He needs to work on his perception of the game, especially reading defensive rotations and not falling for fakes. He will have some impressive nights, but also games in which he will go unnoticed.
#67 Daniel Hackett 1987 1m.97 G
Year of Birth: 1987
Height: 1.97m
Position: Guard
In Bamberg he will have the opportunity to play with a leadership role, following his serious injury and long absence. With the national team of Italy he proved that he’s ready physically. A guard with a big frame, good perception of the game and creative abilities. Perhaps the guard with the greatest range in defense (he can mark from ‘1’ to ‘4’) and his specialty in offense is to create rifts and charge the basket.
#66 Jordan Theodore 1989 1m.83 G
Year of Birth: 1989
Height 1.83m
Position: Guard
EuroLeague debut for the Seton Hall graduate! He’s coming off an amazing season with Banvit, with very high stats and good performances both in scoring and creation as well as in leadership. The EuroLeague is the highest level in the world after the NBA and he’s called to prove that he can make the difference at this level too. The key will be chemistry and his partnership with Goudelock, and the extent to which he’s going to bring victories to Milan, who have been looking for a good run in the league for years.
#65 Anthony Gill 1992 2m.03 F
Year of Birth: 1992
Height: 2.03m
Position: Forward
He promises to be one of this season’s revelations! He played in Virginia’s good basketball program and had a full season in Turkey with Yesilgiresun. He can score in many ways, contribute a lot in defense, is a good rebounder, effective on the open court and brings a lot of energy to the game. A classic case of a multi-tool player!
#64 Ricky Ledo 1992 1m.97 G
Year of Birth: 1992
Height: 1.97m
Position: Guard
Lots of talent and a rich attacking instinct! The top scorer in last season’s competitive Turkish league with 21.1 points per game! He scores in every way, has a well developed 1-on-1 game, he shoots with confidence and he’s consistently good at rebounding as well. As a rookie in the top league he has to prove that he can be very productive and, at the same time, effective for Anadolu Efes. One of the players you should keep an eye on.
#63 James Anderson 1989 1m.98 G
Year of Birth: 1989
Height: 1.98m
Position: Guard
He certainly wasn’t as impressive and effective in Darussafaka as he was in his first season in the league with Zalgiris. But he remains a high quality and experienced player. His scoring ability as well as his reading of the game are at a high level, he contributes in rebounding and he never neglects his defensive duties. It will be interesting to see how he will click in a roster full of talent and… scorers!
#62 Nemanja Nedovic 1991 1m.91 G
Year of Birth: 1991
Height: 1.91m
Position: Guard
A dynamic and explosive scoring guard who now has the experience to manage situations at the highest level and contribute consistently to his team. Very fast, his specialty is drives, he’s capable of contributing in all areas of the game and produce endless energy. A key for his overall ranking and course will be his performance from the three-point line and the quality of his decision-making in games that are hanging by a thread.