Βy Giorgos Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
Right now, the Chinese league and the NBA are the two largest competitors of the EuroLeague, with several of its biggest stars choosing to play outside of Europe.
There are many reasons for this and, among other things, they have to do with the heavy game schedule, annual earnings and of course the “glamor” that goes with playing in the best league in the world. Every kid dreams of playing in the NBA one day and for several European and American athletes, that time has come.
Eurohoops singled out the cases of 10 players who packed their backs and headed to foreign lands just a few months ago. Where are they today and how well are they doing?
PS. We miss you Aaron Jackson…
Keith Langford
Team: Shenzhen Leopards
Stats: 16.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Keith Langford’s decision to leave Unics Kazan and the EuroLeague to join the Chinese league caused a great surprise. The American guard was coming off the most productive season of his career with a total of 609 points (21.8 on average) in 28 games and he certainly could have found a high-paying contract with one of the top clubs in the competition.
Besides, Langford had made history when he became the only player who has scored more than 600 points in a single season. This record got him the Alphonso Ford award for the second time (2014, 2017) and he confirmed that he’s one of the most charismatic scorers of all time.
And yet! The Shenzhen Leopards convinced Langford to sign a one-year contract and play in the Chinese league for the first time. There, the 34-year-old has played in 16 games so far, tallying an average of 16 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds, with his team being in 5th place in the standings with 12 wins and 5 losses. Let’s hope we’ll see him come back one day…
Ekpe Udoh
Team: Utah Jazz
Stats: 2.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Ekpe Udoh graced the courts of the EuroLeague with his presence for two seasons in the colors of Fenerbahce, before returning where he belongs, the NBA! Under the instructions of Zeljko Obradovic, the 30-year-old center evolved into one of the complete American players who have competed on European soil, his performance in defense, as well as offense, being amazing.
It’s telling that in his second and last season, Udoh averaged 12.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1 steal and 2.2 blocks, making him the ultimate MVP of the historic Final Four that saw Fenerbahce emerge as the winners.
Armed with a great skillset, everything he learned in Europe and the maturity of his game, he returned to the NBA and the Jazz. There, he has played in 27 games so far with an average of 2.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 blocks, contributing to Utah’s effort to make the Western Conference finals.
We would be lying if we said he’s not missed from the courts of the EuroLeague…
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Team: Sacramento Kings
Stats: 10 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists
In the 2016/17 season, Fenerbahce managed to become the first Turkish team to win the EuroLeague and the fact that they had two current NBA players on their roster is anything but a coincidence. After the dominant Ekpe Udoh comes the turn of the amazing Bogdan Bogdanovic!
The Serbian guard captivated the entire European basketball world for years, he was patient, and when the right time came he signed his first contract with an NBA team. In fact, the Sacramento Kings seem like the perfect environment right now, as the absence of pressure and the youthful roster gives Bogdanovic many appearances and a lot of playing time.
The 25-year-old has been doing an excellent job and, so far, he has played in 26 games, 11 of those as a starter, tallying an average of 10 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. The way he moves on the court and the ease with which he executes show that, as he adapts, he will constantly improve.
A genuine basketball talent that we will enjoy in the NBA for many years to come…
Μike James
Team: Free agent
Stats: 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Stats: 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists
If we had to choose a player who is missed more than any other in this season’s EuroLeague, that would be Milos Teodosic. His basketball IQ, the way he sees the court and his ability to make something spectacular out of… nothing through a simple pass, was what made him stand out.
However, even at the age of 30, he chose to have a different experience in the NBA. He got close to the Bulls but in the end he signed a contract with the Clippers, where he has played in just 6 games due to an injury to his left foot.
The LA team has been plagued with injuries more than any other and, as a result, most players are thrown off rhythm. Even so, Teodosic has an average of 8.8 points, 4 rebounds and 3.8 assists, but the sample is not sufficient to draw any clear conclusions yet.
Besides, the Serbian guard has nothing to prove and it’s a given that, if he remains healthy, he will give the Clippers fans moments like the ones we enjoyed for several years in the EuroLeague.