By Stefan Acevski/ info@eurohoops.net
Twenty-three full rounds of the EuroLeague, Europe’s strongest basketball competition, have been completed. Some teams have made their case for direct playoff qualification, some have underperformed and will likely not continue in the competition, while for many others, a tough battle lies ahead to secure one of the top 10 spots.
Additionally, numerous players have left a special mark on the EuroLeague so far, and now the focus shifts to centers, specifically five of them who, through their play and performances, have outshone their peers and defined this edition of the competition.
1. Nikola Milutinov, Olympiacos Piraeus
Season stats: 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, PIR of 21.8
Nikola Milutinov is experiencing a renaissance this season and is currently statistically the second-best player in the EuroLeague, right behind his teammate Sasha Vezenkov.
Milutinov has been one of Olympiacos’s key players for years, but the situation at the end of last season wasn’t ideal. The Serbian center mostly came off the bench, albeit in strong competition, and at one point his future in the red-and-white jersey was in question. However, everything changed this season.
Georgios Bartzokas has full confidence in Milutinov, who is now Olympiacos’s primary center, and Nikola has repaid that trust. He is averaging 11.3 points per game, shooting 70% from two-point range and an impressive 80% from the free-throw line, along with just under 8 rebounds. With an index rating of 21.8, he ranks as the second-best player in the competition.
Olympiacos recently signed Tyrique Jones, and Donta Hall is also on the roster, making it clear that the club has one of the strongest center rotations in the EuroLeague. Nonetheless, it’s evident that the role of the main center this season belongs to the Serbian big man.
2. Dan Oturu, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv
Season stats: 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, PIR of 16.3
Dan Oturu is also playing the best basketball of his life this season. After a strong stint with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, he moved to Hapoel Tel Aviv alongside Elijah Bryant, and the two of them have been largely responsible for the Israeli club leading the EuroLeague standings.
Oturu has adapted excellently to Dimitris Itoudis’s system, starting every game. At times, he and Johnathan Motley – who can play together at the four and five positions – create serious problems for opposing teams.
The Hapoel center is shooting 69% from the field, excelling in the paint and finishing most of his attempts with dunks. He also has a respectable 70% from the free-throw line. Although Hapoel features several strong rebounders, Oturu leads the team in that category as well, with 6.4 rebounds per game.
Once again, Oturu has proven himself at the highest level. Hapoel is heading toward the playoffs, and if they get there, much of the credit will belong to the Brooklyn native.
3. Mfiondu Kabengele, Dubai Basketball
Season stats: 13.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, PIR of 15.8
In his first EuroLeague season, Mfiondu Kabengele has shown that he belonged among the elite much earlier.
After time in the NBA and his first European stops with AEK and Reyer Venezia, Kabengele joined Dubai’s project this summer. It took only a few games for him to prove the club made the right decision.
Kabengele is averaging just over 13 points per game with strong shooting percentages from two-point range and the free-throw line. Unlike the previous two players mentioned, he is also capable of making three-point shots. That said, he is currently shooting 23% from beyond the arc this season, which stands out as a potential weak point.
The Canadian has benefited greatly from his partnership with McKinley Wright IV. At times, the duo has looked unstoppable and has helped push Dubai back into the EuroLeague play-in race. Whether coach Jurica Golemac’s team gets there remains to be seen, but in any case, signing Kabengele was an excellent move this summer.
4. Walter Tavares, Real Madrid
Season stats: 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, PIR of 15.4
Walter Tavares is already considered a veteran of European basketball, nearing a decade with Real Madrid, but that hasn’t stopped him from remaining one of the best big men in Europe.
His presence in the paint is immeasurable. Edy is still among the top shot blockers in the EuroLeague, averaging nearly two blocks per game, but his impact goes far beyond the box score. The Real Madrid center forces opposing players to take tougher shots and alter their mechanics, significantly lowering their shooting percentages.
Despite Real Madrid’s wealth of scoring options, Tavares remains productive offensively, averaging nearly 10 points per game while shooting 67% from two-point range and 74% from the free-throw line. He also pulls down more than six rebounds per game, all in limited minutes.
There is no doubt that even as he gradually gets older, Tavares continues to have a major influence on game outcomes.
5. Tyrique Jones, Olympiacos Piraeus
Season stats: 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, PIR of 16.2
This season, despite some differing perceptions, Tyrique Jones ranks among Europe’s statistically best centers.
Jones has been through a lot in just a few months – from being last season’s hero and a fan favorite at Partizan to entering into conflict with the same club this season. The situation was resolved in the least painful way for everyone, as Jones joined Olympiacos and further strengthened their interior rotation.
His qualities are well known. In a Partizan jersey, he averaged around 11 points and six rebounds per game, finishing most plays with powerful dunks and bringing constant energy and intensity. His presence offers security to any team and any coach.
Now he faces a serious challenge. He has joined an Olympiacos side where Milutinov is already firmly established, with Donta Hall also in the mix, meaning Jones may see reduced playing time. However, if Georgios Bartzokas finds the right role for him, Jones will undoubtedly improve the Piraeus team and strengthen their chances of competing for the trophy at the end of the season.