By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
These five players are coming off solid 2020-21 campaigns. The offseason could have thrown them off track, especially those changing teams, but they refused to be knocked down. They all logged strong showings in Round 1 of the regular season and appear determined to keep improving on the court.
ROKAS JOKUBAITIS
FC Barcelona | Guard | 19 November 2000 | Lithuania
Playing in the EuroLeague can be extremely demanding for a 21-year-old. Especially in the case of Rokas Jokubaitis. He has accepted the challenge. His performances last season with Zalgiris Kaunas generated 7.0 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game. That was merely the beginning.
The young point guard moved to Barcelona over the summer and last week he came off the bench in his team’s 94-64 victory over ALBA Berlin at Palau Blaugrana. In 17:55 of playing time, he won over more fans than just Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. He went for 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 two steals without committing a turnover.
IFFE LUNDBERG
CSKA Moscow | Guard | 4 December 1994 | Denmark
He was going through his eighth season as a pro, still searching for the big opportunity to shine. Iffe Lundberg stayed patient and was rewarded. His showings at Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora attracted the attention of CSKA Moscow. With the Russian powerhouse looking for a backcourt upgrade last February, Lundberg received the invitation to present himself at the top level of European basketball. He was on point and still is.
After averaging 11.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest in the bottom end of the previous EuroLeague season en route to the 2021 Final Four, the 26-year-old point guard stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in the opening week of the 2021-22 season. He avoided turnovers altogether in 25:58. CSKA lost to AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano, but at a personal level, Lundberg proved himself determined to make losses a rarity in the future.