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By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
In the past American players were seen as the saviors of their teams in Europe. They were expected to lead, to be the best players of the roster and make a difference. Times have changed, the level of European talent is much higher than it used to be, but some things are still the same.
Americans in most cases are expected to make a difference, their signing can make or break the season of team and they are still some of the best paid players of Euroleague. So it’s again this time of the year. Eurohoops presents you the Top10 Euroleague free agents from the States, which are expected to be on the radar of the top clubs around the old continent.
In this list we didn’t include players who may be released by their teams this summer, or those who may leave their teams because of financial reasons – that may be the case with Unics Kazan – but only those who are free agents, or have an opt out clause in their contract which they can use. We also have to give a honorable mention to those who were cut from the list, but are also going to be big names in the summer market. Those are Anthony Radolph, Samardo Samuels, Alex Renfroe, Tarense Kinsey, KC Rivers, Mike James and Reggie Redding. And now let’s start with the Top10.
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[lptitle title=”10 James Anderson“]
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He is the leader of Zalgiris Kaunas, he adapted in no time to European basketball and he was the main reason behind the respectable Euroleague season of his team. Why he is not higher in the list you ask? The answer is simple. Anderson is a natural small forward in Europe, a position which for many teams is not the first need. Zalgiris was build around him and if he gets a deal with one of the top European clubs, he will have a very different role.
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[lptitle title=”9. Trey Thompkins “]
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He was one of the standouts of this season’s Cinderella, Nizhny Novgorod, and his name is already linked to Euroleague champions Real Madrid. He is the third leading rebounder of the competition (8.1 rpg), he is a force in the paint and this was also for him the first season in Europe after three years with the Clippers. He is always reliable and he has the pedigree to do more.
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[lptitle title=”8. Patric Young “]
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He made a late splash in Euroleague as a member of Galatasaray, where he had the chance to showcase his talents as a member of a very slim roster. The Turkish club was the ideal fit for him, he made a name for himself in no time and European teams will came knocking on his door. He seems eager to return to the States, but chances are he will get a better deal if he stays in Euroleague.
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[lptitle title=”7. Jamel Mclean “]
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He is the MVP of BBL and also the man who was the first among equals between the talented American players of Alba. He has an opt out clause in his contract with the German club and he is expected to use it. His name is already circulating among many rumors all around Europe. A tone of teams are said to be interested in his services which were tested hard in Euroleague.
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[lptitle title=”6. Marcus Williams “]
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He proved once again that he is a real leader and despite not being yet a name heard all around the rumor mill, things are expected to get hot for a simple reason. He is a classic floor general and top level point guards are hard to find in Europe. In theory his choice to sign with Crvena Zvezda was a step back, but at the end it proved to be quite benefficial for both sides.
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[lptitle title=”5. Kyle Hines “]
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After two Euroleague titles in Olympiacos, came two Euroleague failures with CSKA. However make no mistake. Kyle Hines was the model in which the “undersized centers” revolution was build. He is a proven winner, he is a real fighter and he is a great locker room influence. Very few have his work ethic and desire to win. He is already linked with – surprise! – Olympiacos.
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[lptitle title=”4. Aaron Jackson “]
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He came from the bench but he is always ready to lead. During the Final Four he was probably the best CSKA player on the floor and maybe it’s time for him to get again a more prominent role, like he had in Bilbao. He can adapt to any situation and he can be a starting point guard in every team. Barcelona is said to have him on its radar.
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[lptitle title=”3. Bryant Dunston “]
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The two times Euroleague defender of the year is going to be a hot commodity. His numbers this year were not as good as the previous season, but that can be explained by his health issues during the first months of the season and also by the presence of Othello Hunter on Olympiacos‘ roster. He proved that he is part of the elite big men in Europe and it’s time for him to get an even more lucratice contract.
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[lptitle title=”2. Derrick Brown “]
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His deal with Lokomotiv Kuban ends and many teams around Europe have him in their short list. He is already considered an “expensive” player, but he is an addition that can give an edge to any of the top Euroleague teams. He has already played in Euroleague in the 2013-14 and he has nothing to prove about his worth.
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[lptitle title=”1. Taylor Rochestie“]
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He transformed from a mid-level guard to a true star during this season. He was the top Euroleague scorer, second in ranking and also dished 5,7 asp. He was the main engine behind Nizhny’s success and whoever gets him, will have high expectations from him. Simply put this year he was the best American point guard of the league.
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