By Stelios Toromanides/ info@eurohoops.net
There are three European players, two from the American continent, an African and an Australian in the best league in the world who have a EuroLeague trophy on their list of achievements.
In fact, one of them has an NBA championship ring as well. These are excellent players with a lot of talent and most of them have been able to stand out with their performance in the best league on the planet.
A common feature of all seven is that they left Europe either as soon as they became EuroLeague champions, or one season later. The city of Utah could be characterized as a “hangout” for former trophy winners in the top club competition on the Old Continent, since three of them are playing in the colors of the Jazz.
Before we start counting down our list – on the basis of the successes and the career of each player – we should highlight that the only coach who has won the EuroLeague as head coach (with Virtus Bologna and CSKA) and is on the staff of an NBA team is Ettore Messina, who, for the last few years, has been Gregg Popovich’s close associate in the San Antonio Spurs.
7. Salah Mejri
Position: Center
Country: Tunisia
Current team in the NBA: Dallas Mavericks
Seasons in the EuroLeague: 2 (2013-2015)
EuroLeague trophies: 1 (2015)
Team with which he won the EuroLeague: Real Madrid
The first Tunisian basketball player in the history of the EuroLeague as well as the NBA. The 2,18m-tall giant played for two seasons in the top club competition in Europe in the colors of Real Madrid before leaving for the “magical world.” Even though he wasn’t a starter in the Whites’ excellent team, he was on the court for almost 10 minutes per game and contributed 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds. He played in the final in both seasons, winning the trophy the second time against Olympiacos.
Then he moved to the USA for the Dallas Mavericks, where he has a similar role to the one he had in Real in terms of his playing time. Whenever he is given opportunities he shows the different aspects of his talent, which, after all, is what is keeping him in the best league in the world for the third consecutive season.
Some plays from Mejri’s career so far: