By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
All of them had performance levels that were relatively low last season, but this automatically meant that there was a great capacity for them to grow into a better version of themselves. Which they did. They’ve now become protagonists the results of their teams in the EuroLeague seem inextricably linked to their performances.
Eurohoops presents five players who are synonymous with the word “improvement.”
JALEN REYNODLS
FC Bayern Munich | Center | December 30, 1992 | USA
Is it possible for someone to be the same person but not the same player? It is if that someone is Jalen Reynolds, yes. Last season, we got to know him as a EuroLeague rookie with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. This season, he reintroduced himself in FC Bayern Munich as someone who was always ready. He looks unbeatable in the key and he’s one of the reasons his team is still high in the rankings. He’s ranked 13th in points in the competition and third in rebounds.
2020-21 vs. 2019-20
13.4 PTS 5.7
59.6% 2PT 56%
66.7% 3PT 0%
83.3% FT 63.2%
6.9 REB 5.3
0.8 AST 0.8
1 STL 0.5
0.4 BLK 0.3
1.6 TOV 1.4
20:53 MIN 13:57
16.1 PIR 7.2
GEORGIOS PAPAGIANNIS
Panathinaikos OPAP Athens | Center | July 3, 1997 | Greece
Georgios Papagiannis had just turned 18 when he made his debut in the EuroLeague. Five years later he’s a benchmark in the key and in the present and future of Panathinaikos OPAP Athens. He’s improving exponentially and has career-high averages in almost all the main statistical categories. He’s ranked 11th in two-point field goals, fifth in rebounds and second in blocks.
2020-21 vs. 2019-20
9.5 PTS 6.9
65.6% 2PT 63%
14.3% 3PT 0%
82.4% FT 66.7%
6.6 REB 4.7
1.1 AST 0.2
0.3 STL 0.4
1.9 BLK 0.9
1 TOV 1
24:05 MIN 17:32
15.3 PIR 8.7
ACHILLE POLONARA
TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Forward | November 23, 1991 | Italy
Achille Polonara waited until he became 28 years old to make his debut in the EuroLeague last season, but better late than never. A season later he’s playing perhaps the best basketball of his career. It’s not just the sharp increase in points scored, either. He’s also ranked sixth in rebounds in the EuroLeague and fifth in blocks. Only two players in TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz play more than him (just a few seconds) and only one has started more games than he has (13 of 14).
2020-21 vs. 2019-20
9.6 PTS 3.1
53% 2PT 40.8%
40.5% 3PT 22.5%
46.7% FT 64.3%
6.3 REB 2.8
1.4 AST 0.2
1.3 STL 0.6
1.3 BLK 0.4
0.6 TOV 0.3
28:13 MIN 12:31
14.2 PIR 4.2
WADE BALDWIN
FC Bayern Munich | Guard | March 29, 1996 | USA
Wade Baldwin had the experience of the first season in Europe last year with Olympiacos Piraeus, and now he’s having the best season of his career. If you’re still looking for answers as to why Bayern are having the best run in their history in the EuroLeague, look no further. He’s third in points on the German team, first in assists and steals, and is the player to whom Andrea Trinchieri gives the second-highest playing time, not to mention the only one who has started 16 of 16 games.
2020-21 vs. 2019-20
13.3 PTS 5.5
47% 2PT 48.1%
25.6% 3PT 26.7%
69.8% FT 63.3%
2.4 REB 1.8
3.6 AST 1.8
1.3 STL 0.5
0 BLK 0
2.9 TOV 1.5
26:39 MIN 16:47
10.3 PIR 4.3