By George Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
n recent years, European basketball has seen many top-shelf athletes making the big leap and trying their luck in the NBA.
However, more than a few players have followed the opposite route, leaving the USA to shine on the courts of Europe’s top competition.
With the help of certain criteria, Eurohoops presents this season’s Top 10 American players in the EuroLeague. The criteria that were used are the following:
Individual performance
Player’s skills/ quality
Role and contribution in the team’s game
Team’s course
As is readily understood, the subjective aspect always influences these kinds of features. Besides, the competition was huge and many big names, such as James Gist, Anthony Randolph, Bryant Dunston and Jamel McLean, were left out of the Top 10.
10. Norris Cole (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Stats: 12.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 11.1 PIR
Appearances: 28 games
Norris Cole is a top-class player! Besides, who can forget the time he won two Championship rings in the NBA (2012, 2013) alongside LeBron James and, in fact, with an important role in the rotation of the Miami Heat?
The American’s arrival caused a lot of enthusiasm for Maccabi Tel Aviv’s fans, but the team’s course didn’t live up to the expectations. Cole played very well, averaging 12.6 points and 3.8 assists in 28 games, but the coveted qualification for the playoffs of the EuroLeague did not come.
This particular development took a few points off Cole, who was thus placed 10th in the Top 10 American players…
9. Jaycee Carroll (Real Madrid)
Stats: 9.4 points, 45.4% in three-point shooting, 7.1 PIR
Appearances: 34 games
Jaycee Carroll was born to shoot the ball and, in the playoff series against Panathinaikos, he proved that and then some! The American sharpshooter was amazing in those 4 games, averaging 12 points and 8-for-13 in three-point shooting (61.5%) and, as a result, Real Madrid got the break and qualified for the Final Four in Belgrade.
The 35-year-old shooting guard was inconsistent throughout the season, but he has the experience that’s needed to raise his game at the right time. What coach wouldn’t want the best shooter in the EuroLeague on his team, one that has a unique ability to come off a screen and execute immediately?
8. Chris Singleton (Panathinaikos)
Stats: 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 46.1% in three-point shooting, 12.5 PIR
Appearances: 34 games
Chris Singleton wasn’t as good as he was in the 2016-2017 season but he was still better than most of his compatriots in the EuroLeague. Together with James Gist, he met the needs of the line of big men almost exclusively and, with 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds, he maintained his numbers at very satisfying levels.
A special mention has to be made regarding the 46.1% with which Singleton executes from the 6.75 line, as this particular figure makes him dangerous from any range and forces rival big men to constantly follow him. The only shortcoming was the lack of willingness he sometimes showed in defense.
If Panathinaikos had defended their home court against Real Madrid and had managed to qualify for the Final Four, the American would have been even higher on the list.