By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
The 7Days EuroCup semifinals start on Tuesday (20/03). Reggio Emilia defeated Zenit St. Petersburg in Game 3 to book the ticket for the semis, where they will face Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar who defeated Gran Canaria in two games. The other game is between FC Bayern Munich (defeated Unics Kazan in three games) and Darussafaka Istanbul (defeated Buducnost in two games).
With the semifinals set to begin on Tuesday, Eurohoops presents the five best players to watch in these upcoming games, that have a played a huge role in their team’s success up to the semis.
Amedeo Della Valle / Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia
- Stats: 17.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG
- Position: G
- Age: 24
- Country: Italy
The 24-year old guard for Reggio Emilia has been playing phenomenally great in this year’s 7Days EuroCup competition. Della Valle has been leading the league in point with 17.8 per game, while also shooting an efficient 51.2% from inside the three-point line. The Italian has also been great from the free-throw line, making 85.9% of his shots and of course he is the go-to-guy of his team.
It is also important to note the tremendous improvement he has demonstrated over the last couple of years, going from 12 points in 2016 to 18 in 2018, and leading the competition in index rating with 20.83 points.
Together with Chris and Julian Wright, Reggio Emilia has a ‘big 3’ playing great basketball in one of the most critical points of the season so far. In the three games series against Zenit, Della Valle averaged 14 points a game, but before that, he had led Reggiana to the sweet-16 and the top-8.
Devin Booker / FC Bayern Munich
- Stats: 13.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG
- Position: C
- Age: 27
- Country: USA
Despite playing 21 minutes a night, Devin Booker is having a massive impact on his team. The 27-year old center is having a good year for the German side, leading his squad in scoring (13.7) and rebounding (5.2). Booker also was named MVP of the third round in the top-16 thanks to his 38 index rating performance (Booker is also fourth in index rating in the competition / 17.00). He has been shooting 62.3% from inside the three-point line, and 42.9% from beyond the arc.
In the three-game series against Unics Kazan, Booker had two great games, flirting with a double-double. In Game 1 and Game 2, he was lights out. He scored 29 (!) points (10/13 FG) and also grabbed six rebounds for his team, while in Game 2 he finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. In Game 3, the 27-year old American finished with just two points in 14 minutes of action, due to his five fouls.
Scottie Wilbekin / Darussafaka Istanbul
- Stats: 16.9 PPG, 4.9 APG
- Position: G
- Age: 24
- Country: USA/Turkey
Scottie Wilbekin has been Darussafaka’s leader this year. He not only affects the game scoring-wise but can also help his teammates and can get them going with his high basketball IQ and great passes. The 24-year old guard is second in the competition in scoring (16.9) behind Amedeo Della Valle but is also eighth in assists per game (4.9).
Wilbekin can also affect the game on the defensive side of the floor, with his quick hands. He is averaging 1.7 steals a game and 2.7 rebounds. In the two games against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, he was on another level. In the first game, he flirted with a triple-double, scoring 16 points, handing out seven assists and grabbing eight rebounds. Three days later, he scored 22 points to lead his team to the semis.