By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Well, it’s that time of the year again.
Eurohoops presents the Top 100 EuroLeague Players ahead of the 2018-2019 season. A list of players compiled with some specific criteria with the purpose of tracing and ranking those hoopers that are expected to define the upcoming EuroLeague season.
While there are some objective and factual elements that were taken into consideration when choosing the 100 players and then ranking them, the final result is, inevitably, subjective.
As always, there was a calculated risk with rookies, especially those who are completely unfamiliar with European basketball. Hence why some players who will now take their first steps in EuroLeague have been omitted from the list or where placed in lower positions in comparison with rookies with considerable experience at a competitive level of European basketball. Experience in this level and type of game matters since we’ve seen no few quality players, even established NBAers, immensely struggle in their new surroundings simply because of their unfamiliarity with everything that European basketball encompasses.
What should be noted is that player of a team that is a title or Final Four contender automatically got a relative priority over another with possibly similar or equal, maybe even superior individual strengths. This is why you will find that there is an increased number of players from well-known powerhouses, apart from the fact that these teams usually sign top talent.
It also goes without saying that injury problems played a major part in the list.
Like every year, the Eurohoops Top 100 Players ranking is based on the following criteria (in this order):
1) The individual quality of each player in combination with the role and playing time we anticipate he will get with his team.
2) The strength of the club he plays for. The players of the teams that are usually playoff staples and are considered among the title contenders always have the edge because they combine individual quality with their club’s high aspirations.
3) What each player has achieved in his career in the EuroLeague, combined with the prospect he carries for the 2018-19 season.
Let’s begin the countdown, starting from positions #100 to #91.
100. Micheal Eric (Darussafaka)
Year of birth: 1988
Height: 2.11 m
Position: Center
2017-2018 stats: 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.6 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game with Darussafaka in EuroCup.
Playing the pick n’ roll with Micheal Eric should be a delight for any guard. This a very fast diver and a high-flying big who can easily catch any lobe his teammates throw at him to send it home. Hey, don’t be surprised if he becomes the new regular in dunk highlights of the upcoming season. His first in EuroLeague, after helping Darussafaka win the 2018 EuroCup (he also had an MVP performance in Game 1 of the semifinals vs. Bayern Munich).
On the other hand, approaching him on defense isn’t fun at all for his opponents. Eric protects the rim fiercely and in a manner that numbers don’t represent accurately.
While Eric poses a serious danger when the pick n’ roll is done right and will finish plays at close proximity to the basket, he’s a minor to no threat when kept at a distance. This lack of diversity on offense might be challenging for the Nigerian big next season in EuroLeague, but if his game on both ends adapts to this advanced level of basketball, he might become a sensation.
99. Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Panathinaikos Athens)
Year of birth: 1992
Height: 2.01 m
Position: Forward
2017-2018 stats: 3.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists in 11:2 minutes per game with Panathinaikos in EuroLeague.
Although Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s debut EuroLeague campaign exposed many weaknesses in his game, he still found himself in the starting lineup of Panathinaikos quite often. Albeit not for extended periods of time.
However, Xavi Pascual considers him rather valuable and the reason is simple: It’s his defensive grit and the intensity he brings to the game. The spark that can inspire his teammates to lay it all on the floor and think “Why am I not pushing myself to the limits like him?”.
Last season Antetokounmpo paid for this over-enthusiasm by committing many quick fouls and if he solves that issue he might see more minutes in 2018-2019. The things in his game that crave improvement remain plenty (shooting, patience, perception, sometimes choosing “thought” over “instinct”), but his overall charged attitude, the way he harasses opponents on defense or cuts to the paint from the weak side on the other end, still classify him as an asset.
98. Edwin Jackson (Buducnost)
Year of birth: 1989
Height: 1.91 m
Position: Guard
2017-2018 stats: 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 24 games with Guangdong Flying Tigers in the Chinese League.
Edwin Jackson’s offensive charisma and ability to rain buckets are unquestionable. But so is the instability in his game, especially when it comes to producing big at a competition such as EuroLeague.
This has been an issue for Jackson in all his previous EuroLeague stints, which are characterized by some huge ups and downs in his performance. Now, Buducnost seems like a nearly ideal opportunity for the French guard to solve this issue and attempt a true comeback at European basketball’s top level.
The reigning ABA League champions shall provide Jackson with enough room and playing time to let his offensive talents unfold, get his engines going and find the necessary rhythm for some potentially heated action, reminiscent of the one that brought him the ACB scoring title with Estudiantes in 2017.
97. DJ Strawberry (Gran Canaria)
Year of birth: 1985
Height: 1.96 m
Position: Guard/Forward
2017-2018 stats: 13 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game with Besiktas in the Basketball Champions League.
At 33 years of age, D.J. Strawberry‘s field of excellence is still the open court since he thrives when he attacks on primary or secondary transition plays. We didn’t see him functioning like this much when he played with Olympiacos in 2015-2016, and that will probably be rectified with a team that operates at a high pace, such as Gran Canaria.
This is another reason why we might look at completely different Strawberry in his return to EuroLeague. While the American guard/forward can provide as a role player for specific missions, he’s proven that he can also undertake a multitude of duties on the floor and take care of his team’s offense with either scoring or creating if he has the ball in his hands, as he did with Besiktas.
Don’t be surprised if he assumes a leadership role with Gran Canaria since he’s one of the most experienced players of his new team.
96. Axel Toupane (Olympiacos Piraeus)
Year of birth: 1992
Height: 2.01 m
Position: Guard/Forward
2017-2018 stats: 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists in 15.2 minutes per game with Zalgiris Kaunas in EuroLeague.
“Careful, he bites” is what should probably be written under Axel Toupane’s name in the locker room of Olympiacos. Last season, the French swingman emerged as one of the elite, most tenacious defensive players in EuroLeague, able to lock down and give a hard time to his opponents. As such, he played a key part to Zalgiris‘ run to the Final Four for the first time since 1999 while earning notable praise by coach Sarunas Jasikevicius for the fear he struck to players he guarded.
Toupane will be used as either as a “2” or a “3” with Olympiacos and whatever his position is, his main job will be to “bully” an opponent marked as “Enemy no. 1” and at the same time provide defensive helps everywhere it’s required. While he will seldom take the initiative on offense (it won’t be asked for him anyway) he will still attack the basket when seeing a lane to it and also take his chances at an open corner three.
His shooting won’t exactly be “money” (unless maybe absolutely necessary) but Toupane can counterbalance this the other end.
95. Ray McCallum (Darussafaka)
Year of birth: 1991
Height: 1.91 m
Position: Guard
2017-2018 stats: 9.2 points, 2.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds in 21:32 minutes per game with Unicaja Malaga in EuroLeague.
We mentioned something about it in the prologue. Even experienced NBAers might have a hard time adjusting to EuroLeague basketball. And Ray McCallum was no exception last season.
Not rarely, McCallum displayed flashes of brilliance with Unicaja Malaga but ultimately had trouble retaining a consistency in his overall performance. There were moments when he “schooled” his opponents, particularly when he had the opportunity to beat them in 1 vs. 1 (or 1 vs. 2, 3) but also times where he found himself restricted offensively, also taking into account his poor shooting (28.6% on 3-pointers).
All these are some of the reasons why McCallum was downgraded in comparison to the #82 Eurohoops gave him a year ago. It’s a given that the American guard is definitely a quite skilled offensive player and with Darussafaka he shall find the necessary room to put last season’s lessons into action and possibly tune up his production rates.
94. Andrey Vorontsevich (CSKA Moscow)
Year of birth: 1987
Height: 2.07 m
Position: Forward
2017-2018 stats: 4.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists in 15 minutes per game with CSKA Moscow in EuroLeague.
Although he comes from the least productive season of his career, Andrey Vornotsevich remains a staple in the roster of CSKA Moscow, the team that always begins the season as the top contender for winning the EuroLeague title. 12 years of EuroLeague experience don’t count for just “nothing”, right?
The arrival of Alec Peters might steal Vorontsevich some minutes and diminish his, already smaller than 2016-2017, role in the rotation of the “Army Men”. Still, whenever he’s used, the Russian forward will be a player, lurking in the weak side to casually drain 3-pointers or place himself in position to put up a fight for that loose rebound.
93. Dee Bost (Khimki Moscow)
Year of birth: 1989
Height: 1.88 m
Position: Guard
2017-2018 stats: 14.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds in 31:2 minutes per game with Strasbourg in Basketball Champions League.
While his previous stint in EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas was cut short in just six appearances, Dee Bost is ready to make up with Khimki Moscow. Playing under Giorgos Bartzokas (a coach for whom Bost had often expressed his admiration) the American guard should primarily put copious amounts of energy and hustle on both ends of the floor. It’s not only about speed though, but also quick thinking that Bartzokas wants from his guys and Bost is the kind of player who can bring both to the table for the Russian club.
A hard-working, ultra-fast player on both ends of the court, Bost is a do-it-all tool on offense who has an eye for the basket as well for where his teammates are. If he improves his shot selection and further develops his long-range shooting (something he has worked over the years), don’t be surprised if he emerges an “x-factor” in some wins for Khimki.
92. Nate Wolters (Zalgiris Kaunas)
Year of birth: 1991
Height: 1.93 m
Position: Guard
2017-2018 stats: 16.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds in 31 minutes per game with Chalon/Saone in the 15 games of the French Pro A League.
It will be difficult for Zalgiris to make the postseason given how stronger (at least on paper) several other playoff contenders have become over the summer, let alone repeat their triumphant qualification to the Final Four. Yet last season built great expectations for the Lithuanian powerhouse and in that respect, Nate Wolters has an immense task ahead of him.
There’s also the fact of “filling” Kevin Pangos’ shoes since Wolters is his “unofficial replacement.” It’s quite the mission and it will be interesting to see Wolters rising to the challenge by organizing the Zalgiris offense under Sarunas Jasikevicius.
Scoring and passing are Wolters’ fortes. Apart from delivering nifty, highlight-worthy passes, he will also probably become a fan favorite when he starts outdribbling his defenders to either drop his beloved mid-range shots/floaters or take it straight to hoop. Less so, when he shoots the ball from beyond the arc, since he has been less than reliable in that area of the game.
Contrary to his previous EuroLeague season with Crvena Zvezda where Stefan Jovic was the Alpha at the point, this time Wolters will have the role and responsibilities that give him a chance to shine. And become the leader of this Zalgiris squad.
91. Devin Booker (Bayern Munich)
Year of birth: 1991
Height: 2.05 m
Position: Center
2017-2018 stats: 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game with Bayern Munich in EuroCup.
Bayern Munich was promoted to EuroLeague this season after winning the German League and so did Devin Booker (no relation to the Phoenix Suns superstar, except an amusing Twitter moment in 2017). After two seasons in which he gradually established himself as one of the top centers in EuroCup (with the awards to certify it, since he was named to the All-EuroCup Team in 2018), the 27-year-old American big is about to take himself to the next level.
How is he going to fare in EuroLeague? Well, offensively, Booker the complete package but his highlight is the pick n’ roll where he excels by setting powerful screens and then cutting to the rim with great speed for his size (an element which also serves him in transition) for a usually dynamic finish. Apart from artfully moving off the ball, Booker has showcased a notable ability to score with mid-range jumpers. That’s if he finds the way to the basket shut.
As always with players like him, the question mark is how his skills are going to translate to EuroLeague. If that happens, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
Photo: EuroLeague, EuroCup, Khimki Moscow, Igokea/Nenad Vuruna, Olympiacos, LKL, Gran Canaria, Eurokinissi