Top 10 EuroLeague Newcomers 5. Nigel Hayes, Zalgiris Kaunas
Hayes made his European debut with Galatasaray Doga Sigorta Istanbul an explosive one last season as he posted a 50/40/90 shooting campaign and ranked among the top 10 in the 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season in scoring and performance index rating. He was also second on his team in rebounds, third in steals and fourth in assists. Hayes joined the Lithuanian champs this summer knowing that playing in the EuroLeague will be an even bigger challenge and one that he is up for. Aside from his technical skills, Hayes has the speed and shooting to be a classic small forward and the size and strength to play the ’4’, which makes him a mismatch candidate that Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius will surely make use of. The 24-year-old promised to leave a big impact in his maiden EuroLeague run.
4. Kosta Koufos, CSKA Moscow
Reigning EuroLeague champion CSKA Moscow will have a different look with Koufos in the middle this season. The veteran center has the imposing size and low-post game of an old school center as well as passing skills and mid-range shot to keep defenses on their toes. During his 11 seasons in the NBA, he proved to be an excellent offensive rebounder and a quality shot-blocker. Koufos has also spent many summers representing the Greek national team and medalled at EuroBasket 2009, so his adjustment period to the European style of play should be brief. On a team as deep as CSKA, Koufos may not become an instant stat stuffer, however, his vast skill set, basketball IQ, experience and leadership will all be important as the team sets out to defend the continental crown.
3. Greg Monroe, FC Bayern Munich
In an era where many teams are moving towards smaller, quicker centers, Bayern decided to go against the trend by signing the experienced Monroe, who is a tower of power in the paint for the German champs. Monroe comes to the EuroLeague after nine seasons in the NBA, mostly as a starter who regularly ranked among the league leaders in rebounding. A classic back-to-the-basket player, Monroe does his damage almost exclusively in the paint, where he can overpower most defenders. However, when double-teamed, Monroe is a skilled passer who can find the open man, which the Bayern shooters will be grateful for. After reaching the NBA playoffs in each of the past three seasons, Monroe will be eager to take Bayern to new heights in the EuroLeague as one of the team's focal points.
2. Luke Sikma, ALBA Berlin
The reigning 7DAYS EuroCup MVP, Sikma has found his place in the German capital over the past two seasons under the tutelage of Coach Aito Garcia Reneses. After capturing the German League’s top individual award in 2018, Sikma’s all-around game was a major reason ALBA reached the EuroCup Finals last season; he ranked among the league’s top 10 in performance index rating, rebounding and steals and was 11th in assists, which was most among forwards in the competition. The son of seven-time NBA All-Star Jack Sikma, Luke helped Valencia Basket win the Spanish league in 2017 and knows what to expect from the EuroLeague level of play. His many talents allow Sikma to take over a game when needed or quietly make his team better, which has been a recipe for ALBA success and should continue in Europe's premier competition.
1. Jimmer Fredette, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens
As one of the most electric scorers to join the EuroLeague in years, Fredette becomes an instant challenger for the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy and a guarantee to supply many memorable moments along the way. Fredette spent most of the past three seasons in China, where he was twice the CBA’s scoring champ and the 2017 league MVP. Affectionately known as "The Jimmer", he burst onto the scene as an All-America selection at Brigham Young University from 2007 through 2011 and has been stuffing baskets around the world ever since. Panathinaikos will be his first club in Europe, but his elite scoring skills should translate well, especially with the aid of All-EuroLeague playmaker Nick Calathes at his side. He has already provided glimpses of that in the preseason, so the rest of Europe is now on notice.
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