By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Patty Mills further cemented his FIBA Patty legacy on Thursday, earning a spot on the Basketball Champions League Team of the Week. The 37-year-old combo guard, who recently transitioned to La Laguna Tenerife to join Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, headlined the league’s top performers following a slate of breathtaking series openers on Wednesday. Joining him in the lineup are standout guards Justin Cobbs and Frank Bartley IV, along with dominant big men Arturas Gudaitis and Giorgi Shermadini.
The announcement officially kicks off the race for the round’s top individual honor, with the BCL opening a 24-hour fan vote on its official portal to determine the Player of the Week.
Per the press release: “The Basketball Champions League Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL continued with four games on Wednesday. Thursday gives us time to reflect on the best individual performances.
The 18th Team of the Week saw players from Unicaja, La Laguna Tenerife, AEK BC and Rytas Vilnius make the cut.
Justin Cobbs is proving to be a major mid-season signing for Unicaja. The point guard came off the bench and immediately took over against ALBA BERLIN, scoring 13 points in a hurry, done in just 17 minutes of work.
Talking about mid-season signings – Patty Mills was the FIBA Patty we all know on Wednesday. The Australian superstar had all the highlights en route to 20 points in 21 minutes for La Laguna Tenerife, helping them take a 1-0 lead over Galatasaray MCT Technic.
While Cobbs and Mills both came off the bench, Frank Bartley was a starter for AEK BC as they defeated Asisa Joventut. He had his eighth 20+ point game of the season, just two away from tying the all-time single season mark set by TJ Shorts II in 2022-23.
The two bigs on the Team of the Week are both giants. Arturas Gudaitis was a force for Rytas Vilnius against ERA Nymburk, getting a team-high 16 efficiency rating, as Rytas were +10 with him on the floor.
Giorgi Shermadini had his usual efficient game for La Laguna Tenerife, not missing a beat as the two-time champs defeated Galatasaray MCT Technic in Spain.”