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.
8. Adam Hanga, FC Barcelona Lassa
He was the name of the summer. His move from Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz to FC Barcelona Lassa was a soap opera that lasted for almost two months. In the end, the transfer was completed and the award-winning defender will be one of the key players in the new version of Barca. Hanga can give Barcelona all the little things that are needed to be a contender and above everything else some toughness on the court that was clearly missing last season. To be exact, since the days of Pete Mickael, Barcelona has been lacking a player who can all the dirty work and put the team on his back when that is needed.
7. Jason Thompson, Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul
Here’s another big man who can follow the steps of Ekpe Udoh. And this is comparison which will be constantly made during the season. Thompson has been a power forward throughout his career, but he is now the starting center for Fenerbahce. He has already embraced Coach Zeljko Obradovic’s system and he just needs to adapt. If he does – and there’s no indication so far that he will do otherwise, a May trip to Belgrade is waiting for him and the defending champs.
6. Will Clyburn, CSKΑ Moscow
CSKΑ Moscow managed to secure his services early in the summer and really got a player who was needed on their roster. The athletic forward turned many heads last year with Darussafaka and now he will have the chance to play for a contender. With Victor Khryapa aging and Andrey Vorontsevich being a stretch 4 more than anything else at this point of his career, Clyburn fits perfectly on the roster and the plans of Coach Dimitris Itoudis. Rodriguez created more buzz, however Clyburn may steal his thunder.
5. Nicolo Melli, Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul
He is the second Fenerbahce player in the top five and more proof that the defending champs are doing everything they can to remain on their throne. The Italian forward had two great seasons for Brose Bamberg and now he is taking the next step. He signed with Fenerbahce and he gives them something that they didn’t have: a big man who can do a bit of everything and also create from the post for his teammates. Due to his presence, you can even argue that despite losing the defensive monster named Udoh, the Fenerbahce frontline is much more versatile this season.
4. Norris Cole, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv
One of the well-known faces of the “Big Three” era in Miami moved to Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, a signing that can make the season for the Israeli powerhouse. No other player who arrived from America to the EuroLeague this summer has two championship rings. Cole’s speed can make all the difference in the European game. He may have a slow start to the season as part of a roster that was created from scratch during the summer, but make no mistake. He is not just a marquee name. He will be difficult for anyone to guard.