By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
There’s already a small brand of California wine named “Rowland Cellars”, however E.J. Rowland, given that he is playing in France this year, should think about creating his own label. After all, the cliché of him aging like a fine wine is there for all to see.
Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse has already wrapped up the top spot in Group B of the BKT EuroCup having posted a 14-3 record so far and Rowland, who was the 2012-13 EuroCup Round 8 MVP while playing for VEF Riga, is part of the French side’s roster.
To be exact, Rowland was added to the head coach Frederic Fauthoux’s squad after the start of the season, as he signed on October 7 as a temporary replacement for the injured JeQuan Lewis. His initial deal was set to expire on November 21, however, his presence after a 17-season pro career was good enough for him to stay put. Rowland’s experience is the key here, although he is not your regular 40-year-old player.
In Round 6, when Bourg needed someone to step up, he scored 15 points against 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys in a game that ended with the Lithuanians getting a 100-96 win and Rowland trying to save the day until the very last second.
Not bad for a veteran who is now part of a select group.
Five over 40
In total, there are just five players over 40 years old that have competed in the EuroCup, and E.J. Rowland is the fourth oldest ever to do it.
He has been in that spot since the start of the season, surpassing former Real Madrid, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, and Olympiacos Piraeus power forward Johnny Rogers, who did it with Lleida. Only three players are above him on this list.
Mario Bennes of Demos Astronauts was still playing at 41 years of age, while Darryl Middleton, another very familiar name among Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, mainly due to his years with Panathinaikos, was still active with Girona when he was more than 41 and a half years old. Last but not least, Dan Gay laced up his sneakers as a 43-year-old at Cantu.
The oldest players in EuroCup history
PLAYER |
AGE |
DATE |
TEAM |
| 1. GAY, DAN | 43y 5m 24d | 11.01.2005 | VERTICAL VISION CANTU |
| 2. MIDDLETON, DARRYL | 41y 8m 22d | 12.04.2008 | AKASVAYU GIRONA |
| 3. BENNES, MARIO | 41y 7m 24d | 17.01.2006 | DEMON ASTRONAUTS |
| 4. ROWLAND, EARL | 40y 8m 14d | 31.01.2024 | MINCIDELICE JL BOURG EN BRESSE |
| 5. ROGERS, JOHNNY | 40y 2m 10d | 09.03.2004 | CAPRABO LLEIDA |
| 6. RIDDICK, ANDRE | 39y 10m 10d | 12.12.2012 | BELGACOM SPIROU BASKET CHARLEROI |
What’s even more interesting and unique, however, is that this list has been pretty much the same since 2008, so Rowland changed that after a 15-year gap. He is averaging decent numbers, too: 5.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game across 15 appearances off the bench.
And – who knows – maybe Bennes and Middleton’s spots will be in danger if the Bourg veteran continues to make a winning impact for his team.
PHOTO CREDIT: BKT EuroCup