By Stefan Acevski/ info@eurohoops.net
In Baku, Sabah had a substantial lead in their fourth-round group stage match of the Basketball Champions League against Chalon.
At times, the host had a 20-point advantage, but ultimately, they were left without a win. The French team gradually reduced the gap and secured victory with a three-pointer nine seconds before the end.
Jordan Tucker, Chalon’s latest addition, was left alone and did what he does best – he scored a three-pointer, giving Chalon the lead (89-87). That turned out to be the final score of the match, as Hassani Gravett failed to score and secure a win for Sabah.
The American has only recently, two weeks ago, strengthened Chalon, and he’s already responsible for one of the team’s victories. He also performed well in two domestic league games, scoring 11 points in his debut and one more in the second game, but he left the biggest mark in Azerbaijan.
Tucker played 21 minutes, scored 23 points (5/7 for three, 8/9 free throws), and has already shown that he will be a significant addition for the rest of the season.
This forward, after finishing high school, went to Duke, and he can boast of having worked with Mike Krzyzewski, one of the best coaches in the history of the sport. It’s true that Jordan stayed only one year at Duke and played just two games, but few players can boast even of that achievement. He then transferred to Butler, where he played for two years, almost identical seasons, averaging around nine points and four rebounds.
Tucker declared for the draft but wasn’t selected in the world’s strongest league, so he had to take an alternative route. He started in the G League, where he spent two years with the Windy City Bulls, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and Sioux Falls Skyforce before first trying his hand in Europe in 2022.
His journey began with the Feniks from North Macedonia, then he played for Chernomorets, and he spent the 2023/24 season in France with Chorale Roanne.
After another attempt in America, where he played for the Delaware Blue Coats and Westchester Knicks, Tucker returned to Europe this summer – he started the season with Neptunas from Klaipeda, and by the beginning of November, he joined Chalon and has already made a significant impact.
Jordan Tucker has already made a great impression on Chalon’s fans, as his three-point shooting is by far his best weapon. Tucker was one of the better three-point shooters in the G League for a long time, and now he has brought that quality to Europe.
Primarily, he is a good spot-up shooter who can hit from all positions, which will certainly pose a challenge for opponents. Additionally, for a forward position, this American has good height – Tucker is 201 centimeters tall, has a good wingspan, and should help his new team in defense as well as in rebounding.
The start in the French team’s jersey is promising. Tucker has brought instant quality, and the game-winning three-pointer will surely boost his confidence further. We will see if the 27-year-old player could have a breakout season.