By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A total of 32 teams spread across Europe shaped the field of the 2022-23 Basketball Champions League Regular Season. Eight advanced to the Round of 16 with the remaining berths to be determined in the Play-Ins.
Persisting trademarks of FIBA’s club continental competition stretch from youngsters with the opportunity to shine in a competitive environment and the same for clubs coming out of minor domestic leagues. But that is not all in the BCL with tight affairs and exciting games keeping fans at the edge of their seats, packed venues, and stunning overachievers. All in a day’s work.
Eurohoops presents players and teams impressing the most as the cream of the crop. Among our picks are the First and Second Teams, the best coach, and the MVP of the Regular Season.
Best Young Player: Sadik Emir Kabaca
Stats: 11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg
Plenty of promising upstarts to choose from, but Sadik Emir Kabaca delivering big stats and helping Galatasaray Nef top Group C edged out the remaining candidates.
Kabaca, 22, introduced himself to the Champions League playing for Teksut Bandirma back in the 2019-20 season. Following a FIBA Europe Cup spell with Besiktas Icrypex in 2020-21, he moved to the Lions and resurfaced in the BCL last season.
From three double-digit scoring showings in 2021-22 to four over six 2022-23 games, a huge improvement behind gradually expanding his shooting range. Besides building confidence in offensive duties, he has been brilliant in defense as well sharing a team-high of 1.5 steals per contest with Dee Bost.
The Istanbul outfit seeking an extended run will be back in late January competing in Group K alongside Unicaja and a couple of teams surviving the Play-Ins.