By Nikola Miloradovic/ info@eurohoops.net
Experience, leadership, and clutch moments – these seasoned stars prove that age is just a number as they continue to shape games at the highest level.
The EuroLeague has long lived by the mantra that every possession matters. That philosophy is what makes each season so competitive, with every team capable of being pushed to the limit on any night.
This year is no different. With quality balanced across the league and a demanding schedule, surprises are always possible – any team can beat any other. In such a setting, games are rarely decided by talent alone. Instead, the difference is often found in the smallest details, and when margins are this thin, one quality stands out: experience.
Players who have faced the same situations time and again learn what truly matters in key moments. With experience comes calm, and that calm is why they are often trusted when games are on the line.
This season, some exceptional veterans are aging like fine wine, showing no signs of slowing down. With that in mind, Eurohoops presents the Top 10 EuroLeague players over 35.
1. Mike James (AS Monaco)
Despite turning 35 last August, the 2024 MVP and the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer is still performing at the highest level. James continues to lead Monaco with remarkable consistency and is, without a doubt, still one of the best players in the competition.
The US guard is averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 assists per game, and perhaps most impressive of all, he hasn’t missed a single game – proving that, for him, age is just a number.
2. Kostas Sloukas (Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens)
Sloukas celebrated his 36th birthday just 20 days ago, but he remains one of the most clutch players in the EuroLeague and one of its most impactful point guards.
He stepped up when last season’s MVP, Kendrick Nunn, was injured, scoring 26 points with 9 assists in a win against ASVEL and 22 points in a victory over Real Madrid. His average numbers may be slowly declining, but with 10.8 points and 5.4 assists per game, he is still among the best. And when the game is on the line, you can be sure Kostas will be there to take – and most likely make – the final shot.
3. Nando De Colo (Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul)
A move back to Fenerbahce surprised many, but it showed just how competitive and eager to win De Colo still is. He has won two EuroLeague titles, was named MVP in 2016, and has earned multiple medals with the French national team – making him one of the most accomplished players in Europe – yet he remains hungry.
Just months before his 39th birthday, Sarunas Jasikevicius wanted him on his team, and he is still making a difference at the highest level. De Colo is averaging 11.4 points and 2.4 assists, making the most of every minute he spends on the court. Nando is a gem – a unique player who can tip the season in Fenerbahce’s favor.
4. Will Clyburn (FC Barcelona)
Next May, he will turn 36, but Clyburn is still performing at the highest level in Europe. He continues to dominate one-on-one situations, playing basketball his own way and producing for his team. In fact, you could even say he has improved since last season, shooting with more precision, making better decisions, and playing more for the team.
He is averaging 13.8 points and 5.2 rebounds, and he has almost single-handedly carried Barcelona to several wins. Slowing down does not seem to be an option for the 2019 EuroLeague champion and Final Four MVP. Big, clutch buckets are still his trademark – he has hit several incredible shots in Blaugrana colors to give his team the edge in do-or-die situations. That’s just Will being Will.
5. Jan Vesely (FC Barcelona)
Even with 400 EuroLeague games under his belt, Jan Vesely remains a true difference-maker. Barcelona becomes a different team when he’s on the court, as he uses his talent, experience, and basketball IQ to outsmart opponents.
The 2019 EuroLeague MVP continues to evolve, adding new elements to his game – including a reliable mid-range shot – while his fighting spirit keeps him battling for rebounds against younger, stronger players. He may not be as explosive as in his early years, but Vesely has mastered precision and decision-making, reading the game at a high level and adapting to its constant evolution. Even two months shy of 36, his presence alone can shift the balance in Barcelona’s favor.
6. Vladimir Lucic (FC Bayern Munich)
The captain, the leader, the legend. Bayern’s veteran Vladimir Lucic embodies the EuroLeague’s finest values. Toughness, intelligence, and consistency define his game, while his professionalism and work ethic set the standard for younger teammates.
Even as one of the most experienced players in the league, he remains a steady presence who can be counted on to make smart decisions, hit key shots, and inspire those around him. He is still producing at a high level, averaging 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, while successfully avoiding injuries in a demanding schedule. Lucic is capable of taking over games, as he recently did with 19 points and a PIR of 26 against Valencia in Round 24.
7. Thomas Heurtel (LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne)
He is back in the EuroLeague after more than three years away, and it feels like he never left. Thomas Heurtel has fit seamlessly into ASVEL, taking command of the offense, especially after De Colo’s departure.
Averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 assists, flirting with double-doubles, and scoring 21 points against Zalgiris in Round 23, the 36-year-old Frenchman proves he still belongs at the highest level. Combining vast experience with unique talent and an incredible feel for the game, Heurtel can dictate the tempo even as the pace continues to accelerate, showing that slowing down is not an option and that he remains the floor general every team needs.
8. Nick Calathes (Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade)
Last season, injuries kept him mostly on the sidelines, and he often stayed in the shadow of Monaco’s stellar backcourt. Still, he had moments of brilliance that even Vassilis Spanoulis couldn’t ignore, as he gave him space at the Abu Dhabi Final Four. This season, he changed course by joining Partizan at a difficult time and proving that he has yet to say his final word on the biggest stage.
Nick Calathes’ influence goes far beyond the stat sheet. Even without eye-catching numbers, he has become one of the cornerstones of the Serbian team. In a struggling situation with no clear way forward, he has calmed the storm, guided the offense, and kept the ball moving, helping Partizan find breathing room when it mattered most.
9. Sergio Llull (Real Madrid)
Over the years, his role and numbers have diminished, but Sergio Llull is still going strong. Whenever Real Madrid needs saving, he is there with his experience, knowledge, unique calmness, and precision in clutch moments.
Perfectly aware of his value, coach Sergio Scariolo keeps him close, giving him just enough space to keep the engine running while waiting for the right moment to shine. Llull’s “mandarinas” remain one of European basketball’s most feared trademarks, capable of changing the course of any game. Playing his 19th EuroLeague season with Real Madrid, he is a certified legend and continues to lead a Spanish powerhouse aiming to return to the Final Four.
10. Kostas Papanikolaou (Olympiacos Piraeus)
Much like Llull, Kostas Papanikolaou is the captain of one of the EuroLeague’s top teams, remaining a major influence at Olympiacos both on and off the court. His voice often guides the team in tough moments, while his fighting spirit and determination can ignite the spark the team needs.
Papanikolaou is still a player coach Georgios Bartzokas can rely on defensively, and he can frequently hit big shots that shift a game’s momentum. His offensive production may have declined, but his importance as a leader and symbol of Olympiacos remains as strong as ever.