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!