By Manos Fyrogenis/ info@eurohoops.net
While young players are rewarded with the Rising Star award in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the nature of the competition makes things interesting with the players who fit the description of “rookies”.
In many cases, EuroLeague newcomers have already proven themselves at various levels of competition around Europe or even in the NBA, usually as veterans who can make a difference or have star power.
This year the most typical example of this description is AS Monaco’s Kemba Walker, a star who is also a EuroLeague rookie. Surprisingly – or not – Walker has not been among the most impactful newcomers in the EuroLeague.
Former NBA champion Serge Ibaka of FC Bayern Munich could have topped this list, as he has averaged 12.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for a PIR of 15.7, but he played six games for Real Madrid back in the 2011-12 season.
Here are our top 10 EuroLeague rookies
CODI MILLER-MCINTYRE (Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz)
STATS: 8.4 PPG, 7.1 ASP, 13.7 PIR
After flirting for many years with EuroLeague teams, he finally got his chance at 29 years of age and already made a splash. He achieved a rare triple-double and proved beyond any doubt that he belongs at this level.
Baskonia still hasn’t secured its spot in the Play-In Showdown, but chances are that he will be there with his team completing a stellar first season in the league.
BRUNO CABOCLO (Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade)
STATS: 9.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG 11 PIR
Caboclo spent many years trying to find the right opportunity in the US, but ultimately the 28-year-old big man found a sweet spot in the EuroLeague when he was added to Partizan’s roster after the 8th round. Ηe has been instrumental in the push that Partizan has made to reach the Play-In Showdown and his presence in the paint is key to his team’s effort.
SYLVAIN FRANCISCO (FC Bayern Munich)
STATS: 10.7 PPG, 3.2 ASP 10.8 PIR
The French guard finally got his chance in the EuroLeague at 26 years of age after spending a season being coached by Euroleague Basketball Legend Vassilis Spanoulis at Peristeri BC. You might argue that Francisco is a late bloomer, however, he has demonstrated on many occasions with Bayern that he is not afraid to take the ball into his hands when it matters and with Bayern having very slim chances of making it to the postseason, this is a gift he should use.
MOSES WRIGHT (Olympiacos Piraeus)
STATS: 8.9 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 10.7 PIR
Wright is 25 years old and that makes him the second youngest “rookie” on the list. Plus his numbers are not flashy until you check the PIR and his efficiency. Wright was added as a last-second transfer after Nikola Milutinov’s injury and emerged as the best possible addition on an already crowded Olympiacos frontline that also includes Moustapha Fall, Alec Peters, and Filip Petrusev. That pretty much says it all.