By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Leading the Basketball Champions League with six double-doubles, Joe Ragland cements himself on top of the all-time list.
Starting the 2023-24 installment of the BCL, the 34-year-old point guard of Peristeri bwin had nine double-doubles and Marcelinho Huertas followed with seven to his name. Posting his sixth double-double of the season in a leading performance against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in Szombathely’s Arena Savaria on Wednesday grew his lead to 15 versus 10.
A veteran of four campaigns in the top-tier club continental competition of FIBA Europe, the former Wichita State standout has been in double-double mode from introducing himself via Sidigas Avellino to a successful spell with Hapoel Holon. Playing under legendary player Vassilis Spanoulis, he keeps combining double-digit efforts in points and assists.
List of Joe Ragland double-doubles
| Game | Double-double |
| Sidigas Avellino vs. SIG Strasbourg (26/10/16) | 16 points + 10 assists |
| Sidigas Avellino vs. Telenet Oostende (8/11/16) | 16 points + 10 assists |
| Hapoel U-NET Holon vs. MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg (9/2/22) | 10 points + 14 assists |
| Hapoel U-NET Holon vs. SIG Strasbourg (6/4/22) | 12 points + 12 assists |
| Hapoel Atsmon Holon at Legia Warszawa (3/10/22) | 10 points + 13 assists |
| Hapoel Atsmon Holon vs. Filou Oostende (11/10/22) | 31 points + 13 assists |
| Hapoel Atsmon Holon at Filou Oostende (20/12/22) | 14 points + 11 assists |
| Hapoel Atsmon Holon vs. Igokea m:tel (4/1/23) | 12 points + 14 assists |
| Hapoel Atsmon Holon at Igokea m:tel (10/1/23) | 20 points + 13 assists |
| Peristeri bwin vs. Le Mans (6/12/23) | 10 points + 11 assists |
| Peristeri bwin at Rytas (3/1/24) | 25 points + 15 assists |
| Peristeri bwin vs. Rytas (10/1/24) | 17 points + 10 assists |
| Peristeri bwin vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (24/1/24) | 10 points + 12 assists |
| Peristeri bwin at Pinar Karsiyaka (7/2/24) | 18 points + 11 assists |
| Peristeri bwin at Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (13/3/24) | 16 points + 10 assists |
Huertas, 40, has fallen behind in the race of two players widely separated from the rest of the pack. His experience in the Champions League includes a championship coupled with a Final Four MVP distinction in 2022. The longest run for Ragland was reaching the 2022 Final Four and falling to Huertas and Lenovo Tenerife in the Semifinals in Bilbao.
List of Marcelinho Huertas double-doubles
| Game | Double-double |
| Iberostar Tenerife vs. Gaziantep (13/11/19) | 20 points + 10 assists |
| Iberostar Tenerife at Peristeri winmasters (8/1/20) | 11 points + 10 assists |
| Iberostar Tenerife at Brose Bamberg (4/2/20) | 15 points + 11 assists |
| Iberostar Tenerife vs. Filou Oostende (3/3/20) | 19 points + 10 assists |
| Lenovo Tenerife vs. SIG Strasbourg (6/5/21) | 18 points + 10 assists |
| Lenovo Tenerife vs. Pinar Karsiyaka (12/1/22) | 18 points + 10 assists |
| Lenovo Tenerife vs. BAXI Manresa (8/5/22) | 13 points + 14 assists |
| Lenovo Tenerife at Darussafaka Lassa (24/10/23) | 14 points + 11 assists |
| Lenovo Tenerife vs. Darussafaka Lassa (21/11/23) | 21 points + 11 assists |
| Lenovo Tenerife at Pinar Karsiyaka (23/1/24) | 17 points + 15 assists |
Ragland would probably exchange the lead in the list of players with the most double-doubles in BCL history with a win in Bilbao Arena, leading to an opportunity to compete for the title. Unable to travel to the past and change the outcome of the battle against the Brazilian combo guard, he must settle with trying to sneak into the Quarterfinals of the 2023-24 season with Peristeri.
“One more big day for our organization,” mentioned Spanoulis after securing a win against his assistant in the Greek senior national team and head coach of Hapoel Jerusalem, Ilias Kantzouris. His side went up to 2-3 and forced the Jerusalem outfit to 3-2. Securing the head-to-head advantage, defeating Tenerife paired with Pinar Karsiyaka taking down Hapoel Jerusalem in Laktasi would send the Greek club into the Quarterfinals for the first time in team history.
“We accomplished great, great things in my second year in Peristeri. We were able to win against some top teams in the BCL, like Malaga, Hapoel, and Karsiyaka. For this club, it is huge steps ahead. We have the smallest budget by far in the group. We play against three teams that are contenders for the Final Four or maybe to take the trophy. This is one of the toughest groups if not the toughest in the history of the BCL in the Top 16. From that point, I am so proud of my players. The way we play is amazing,” said Spanoulis.
A complicated Gameday 6 and conclusion of the Round of 16 for Ragland and his teammates. In any case, a successful continental campaign under the guidance and with the approval of a multi-time champion across numerous competitions as a player.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League