By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The engine that powers the 2020-21 VEF Riga machine, Kyle Allman Jr., has been named MVP of the Month for December after propelling his team to their best start to a Basketball Champions League campaign since they joined the competition, per championsleague.basketball.
The young guard, who just turned 23 years old in September, averaged 20 points, 9 assists and an efficiency rating of 22 per game through December as VEF rose to 3-1 in the standings, tied with SIG Strasbourg for first place in Group E.
“It’s a good feeling to hear I’m the MVP of the month, I put in a lot of work so to be able to see it pay off is huge for me,” Allman said.
“Honestly, I wasn’t hoping to get any of these accolades, I just wanted to play well and win. When I found out I was getting this [honor] I was really happy, but it’s not something I hoped for.”
? Stop whatever you’re doing and treat yourself with @kyleallmanjr highlights! #BasketballCL I @VEFRiga pic.twitter.com/upZz9uJVcC
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) December 24, 2020
Allman dished 9 assists in three straight games, including VEF’s win at Peristeri in late November and their two wins over Rytas Vilnius in December, becoming only the second player in BCL history to put together such a streak.
The American guard is now averaging 7.5 assists per game in his debut BCL season. “My coach [Janis Gailitis] gave me the confidence to be a facilitator and he allows me the freedom to make plays when the ball is in my hands,” he added.
Photo: BCL