By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
The chance at a trophy always bring out the best in players– and that has been the case more than once in the EuroCup Finals.
The 2019 finals between ALBA Berlin and Valencia are about to tip off, and one good way to celebrate this rematch of the 2010 title game is to remember those great players who left an impact on this competition at its crowning moment.
From last season to as far back as 2003, let’s take a trip down memory lane and remember 10 players who we learned to love in the EuroCup. Apart from several MVPs, the list also includes players who left an impact on their respective teams regardless of honors.
Scottie Wilbekin – Darussafaka – 2018
After his tremendous 2017-18 season with Darussafaka, winning the EuroCup title as season and finals MVP, Wilbekin was the hot topic of discussion all around Europe. Many teams expressed interest in acquiring the 25-year-old combo guard, but Maccabi was the one to bind him in Tel Aviv.
Wilbekin was exquisite against Lokomotiv in last year’s finals, dropping 24 and 28 points in each of the two games, and rightfully earning the MVP title. With his big contribution, Darussafaka returned to the EuroLeague, but after three years on the team, it was time for Wilbekin to move on and see how far he can take his talents.
Tyrese Rice – Khimki- 2015
Rice came to the EuroCup after already having tasted a sweet EuroLeague title with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2014. One year later, after a star performance in both games of the 2015 finals against Gran Canaria, he earned the MVP honor for the finals.
Khimki dominated the finals as Rice had 16 points and 4 assists in Game 1, followed up by 13 points and 5 assists in Game 2.
A year later, he bid goodbye to the Russian club for the sake of making his EuroLeague return with Barcelona, where he stayed for two seasons. Still, winning that EuroCup remains one of the highest points of his career.
Nick Calathes – Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar – 2013
The 2013 Lokomotiv Kuban team under coach Evgeni Pashutin will be remembered for ages for having brought many players into the spotlight who continue to add quality to their respective teams.
That is the case for Nick Calathes, who, next to the 2013 finals MVP Richard Hendrix, helped the Krasnodar side lift its first 7DAYS EuroCup trophy. Calathes had 10 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds against Uxue Bilbao Basket in the final.
Calathes parlayed his success with the Russian club into a tenure with Memphis of the NBA (2013-2015) before returning to Panathinaikos and becoming the team’s leader.
Nando De Colo – Power Electronics Valencia – 2010
In his second season with Valencia, Nando De Colo celebrated his first of many trophies in European competition when the Spanish team overcame ALBA Berlin in the single-game 2010 final at Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, where the 2019 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four is to be held in May.
De Colo stopped at 7 points that night, but it was just the beginning of his prosperous career.
After spending a few years with the San Antonio and Toronto in the NBA, he returned to Europe for CSKA Moscow to make a name for himself as one of the most accomplished guards on the Old Continent. A EuroLeague title and an Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy later, he’s still going strong with the Army Team.
Rudy Fernandez – Badalona – 2008
Fernandez is the epitome of a EuroCup prospect gone wild. After winning the 2008 title with Joventut Badalona and being named MVP of the finals, Rudy would win an Olympics silver medal that summer and jump to the NBA with Portland.
After three seasons overseas, he has spent all but one season with Real Madrid, staying there since 2012 to lift two EuroLeague titles (2015, 2018), as well as several Spanish League and Spanish Cup trophies.
For the record, he had 13 points and 7 boards against Akasvayu Girona in the final that year.