By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Standing out from the Team of the Group Phase in the Basketball Champions League Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, AEK’s Chris Silva went on to earn the respective Most Valuable Player distinction.
The 29-year-old forward/center was officially named MVP on Tuesday.
Per the press release: “The Basketball Champions League Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL has reached the end of the Group Phase. Before we switch our focus to the Play-Ins and the Round of 16, it is time to honor the top performers of the first part of the season.
AEK BC’s center Chris Silva has been named the Most Valuable Player of the Group Phase, propelling last season’s Final Four hosts to another Round of 16 berth.
The 29-year-old averaged 14.8 points on 70 percent shooting from the field across his first five BCL games, with 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game also to his name.
AEK were a +65 team with him on the floor this season, and his efficiency rating of 21.0 is the third-best in the BCL in Season X.
His numbers look even more impressive when you consider the last four games. After scoring just seven points in 11 minutes on his debut, Silva went on to average 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks in the following four encounters.
During that run, he had an average efficiency rating of 24.8, the best mark in Season X.
“You just sit back and watch him doing everything on the court,” teammate Dimitris Flionis said when asked about the best aspect of having Silva around, adding:
“Plus he is a funny guy.”
Meanwhile, Silva’s frontcourt partner RaiQuan Gray feels the whole team feeds off of Silva’s highlight plays.
“I would say just his energy on and off the court are the best aspects of having him on our team. We play better when he’s bringing that spark every night,” Gray said.
RaiQuan was there a season ago, when The Queen finished third at the Final Four in Athens. Coach Dragan Sakota needed a new piece in the middle, as last year’s center Grant Golden moved to BAXI Manresa over the summer.
Bringing a guy like Silva in clearly proves AEK’s front office were cooking this summer.
“He’s definitely a huge part of the recipe,” Gray explained, while Flionis went even further, explaining Silva is exactly what AEK needed to repeat last season’s run, or go even better:
“He makes our life easier, I think he is the missing ingredient.”
Chris Silva was born in Gabon, but moved to the United States at 15. After a four-year college career with South Carolina, the center played a total of 70 games in the NBA, most of them with the Miami Heat.
He also spent time in the NBA G League, before embarking on an overseas adventure in 2024, signing with Bnei Penlink Herzliya.
Silva has been sensational in all competitions since joining AEK in August 2025, turning heads all over the continent.
The MVP of the Group Phase will receive his award ahead of AEK’s next home game in the BCL, scheduled on January 21.”