By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Euroleague Basketball President and CEO Jordi Bertomeu has stressed many times that there’s a two-way street between the EuroLeague and the NBA. That was proven without a doubt this summer. Many established players decided to continue their career in the EuroLeague, which remains the top destination for players outside the United States borders. Add to the mix some important moves between EuroLeague clubs and you get a strong cocktail.
While Khimki Moscow, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv and FC Barcelona Lassa got stronger, once more the duo of Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul and CSKA Moscow stole the show in the summer market.
10. Thomas Heurtel, FC Barcelona Lassa
He is expected to be the FC Barcelona Lassa floor general and he will have the ball in his hands all the time. This is a huge challenge for the French playmaker, one of the few pure point guards left on the Old Continent. Heurtel’s game will affect the rest of the team in more ways than one. Only with Heurtel having a really good season will Barcelona have Final Four hopes and even if it’s not clear yet if he has the keys to the team, it’s obvious that this is the best case scenario for both the club and Huertel.
9. Andrew Goudelock, AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan
He is perhaps the best pure scorer in the EuroLeague, even if he will have some great competition this year from Errick McCollum and Erick Green. However, his move to AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan was the first indication that the Italians want to build something really big. And after stops at Fenerbahce and Maccabi, this is Goudelock’s chance to prove that he can lead a big team to its goals. He will score for sure and his big bet is to also to make his teammates better.