By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Not only is the wave of criminally good performances in Euroleague courts getting bigger, but after a month of investigations all around Europe, the circle of suspects is much wider than anyone could have thought. No one is safe, no team can be considered a favorite and every outcome is possible. No matter how much the police try, so far not even one arrest has produced results. Five more warrants were issued this week and some are not the suspects you would expect to hear.
Edwin Jackson: He became marquee name in the criminal world as a junior, considered one of the best talents of his generation. Since then he stayed under the radar, looking for the right opportunity to strike. He did just that in Russia against CSKA Moscow for Unicaja Malaga. He scored 24 points on 8-for-12 field goals in a just a little less than 26 minutes of action. Add to his numbers 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 turnover. The Russians just didn’t see him coming.
Stefan Jovic: A criminally underrated Serb, known as the ultimate “facilitator”. He turned the game between FC Bayern Munich and Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade into his own personal show by registering a new Euroleague record with 19 assists. No one else has reached this number before and it will be tough in the future for anyone to match it again. This was a heist for the ages and Jovic made his name.
Manuchar Markoishvili: A Georgian gangster who had been member of the criminal elite for a long time. As a new gang is rising in the East, he made his move, joined them and delivered. In Tel Aviv against Maccabi FOX, he produced 22 points on 3-for-7 three point shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals on the way to the biggest win yet for Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul. This might mean we can expect him to be a trouble for the authorities again during the Top 16.
Louis Campbell: A veteran gun for hire who spend most of his career in Germany, resides in Strasbourg since 2012 and for years was searching for a big score. Last week, it was his time. He delivered 23 points while making 9 of 11 field goals as Strasbourg got the win over the Euroleague defending champions Real Madrid. His accuracy was admirable, the Spaniards weren’t prepared for him and the question now is what other tricks he has under his sleeve.
Nobel Boungou-Colo: A notorious figure of the French underworld who recently is also getting noticed around the old continent. His latest victim was EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, whom he stopped cold in Limoges CSP’s big home win. Boungou-Colo was all over the court with 18 points on 4-for-6 three-pointers plus 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal and 4 turnovers. It’s obvious from this week’s warrants that the French are making a comeback, so keep an eye on them.
Art credit: JPsportart