By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
VTB recently announced the rosters for its upcoming All-Star Game and Eurohoops took a look at the foreign players noticing that some known attractions of the League are overshadowing others. Any All-Star selection in a respectable league such as VTB draws attention, but four players in particular are excelling this season proving that they could compete at any level of European basketball.
Ahead of the two wild card picks, the World Stars roster for the 2019 All-Star Game is highlighted by current EuroLeague players Sergio Rodriguez, Jordan Mickey, Anthony Gill and Nando De Colo. Jamar Smith and Maurice Ndour have played in Europe’s premier competition in the past, but the same can’t be said for Kendrick Perry, Anthony Clemmons, Perrin Buford and Jalen Reynolds.
Perrin Buford (Avtodor Saratov)
2018-19 Stats: 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1 steal
After playing in Turkey, Italy, Australia and Puerto Rico, Perrin Buford moved his talents to Russia and Avtodor Saratov last summer. The former Middle Tennessee State player has since begun his breakout season, which led him to the VTB All-Star Game.
It’s been some trip so far, but his 2018-19 campaign can add him on the radar of other European clubs. Besides VTB, The 25-year-old American swingman is leading Avtodor in the FIBA Europe Cup after the club failed to secure a spot in the Basketball Champions League Regular Season through the Qualifiers.
In Europe Cup’s first round he had 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two blocks starring in the win over Ironi Ness Ziona. He sent his warning to all of the Russian team’s opponents, but went on averaging 16.3 points in the VTB and 18 in the FEC. His big numbers surely aren’t going unnoticed.
Anthony Clemmons (Astana)
2018-19 Stats: 16.9 points, 5.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals
Anthony Clemmons is going through his second season with Astana. Last summer he extended his contract for three more years and recently acquired the Kazakhstani citizenship. He means business on the court also.
The former Iowa point guard started his professional career in Austria before moving to Astana ahead of the 2016-17 season. He had 11.3 points per game during his first VTB campaign, but is up to 16.9 points this year.
The 24-year-old American is one of Astana’s key players. He’s always creative on the court, but doesn’t hesitate when his scoring touch is needed sinking almost 45% of his field goals in the VTB.
Jalen Reynolds (Zenit Saint-Petersburg)
2018-19 Stats: 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.1 assists
Jalen Reynolds had a FC Barcelona Lassa stint at the end of the 2017-18 season, but the Spanish team was already eliminated from the EuroLeague. After signing with Zenit Saint-Petersburg for the 2018-19 season, the former Xavier big began his second 7DAYS EuroCup campaign improving his averages.
Last year, the 26-year-old American averaged 10.5 points with Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia, but is up to 13.9 this season with the Russians. He also grabs 8.4 rebounds per EuroCup game. With 15.5 points and 8.2 boards per VTB 2018-19 match, he earned a spot in the All-Star Game.
Reynolds is on the rise, something that could be seen beyond his effectiveness in the paint. Dunks only count for two points, but he might deserve more from his highlight jams. He seems always ready to finish alley-oops, which are a treat either you’re a Zenit supporter or not.