[lptitle title=”Begin the countdown”]
[lpcontent]
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.
[/lpcontent]
[lptitle title=”10 James Anderson“]
[lpcontent]
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.
[/lpcontent]
[lptitle title=”9. Trey Thompkins “]
[lpcontent]
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.
[/lpcontent]