By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Celebrating ten years of the Basketball Champions League, Eurohoops has narrowed down an elite shortlist to crown the definitive Team of the Decade.
When the Champions League launched in 2016, it aimed to reshape the European landscape by prioritizing sporting merit and continental growth. Over the last ten seasons, the competition has evolved into a prestigious battleground for domestic champions and rising powerhouses alike.
Selecting just five names to represent this era was an immense challenge, as many legendary figures who helped build the league’s reputation narrowly missed the cut. However, these five icons have defined the competition through unparalleled longevity, silverware, and statistical dominance.
The Maestro
Marcelinho Huertas, the ageless Brazilian floor general, is the heartbeat of the BCL. As the competition’s all-time assists leader, Huertas has turned pick-and-roll execution into a literal art form. After leading Tenerife to the 2022 title as the Final Four MVP and securing back-to-back season MVP honors in 2024 and 2025, he continues to prove that elite vision never fades with age. His ability to control the tempo and deliver clutch buckets has made Tenerife a perennial powerhouse. Huertas serves as the league’s gold standard for leadership, acting as the essential bridge between the inception of the Champions League and its modern, high-octane era.
The Defensive Dynamo
Kendrick Perry’s journey through the BCL is a testament to relentless energy and professional growth. From his early days with Nizhny Novgorod to becoming the Final Four MVP for Unicaja’s 2024 championship run, Perry has evolved into the league’s premier two-way guard. Known for his full-court defensive pressure and lightning-quick transition play, he has consistently been the spark plug for winning cultures. His transition from a high-volume scorer to a championship-winning floor leader cements his legacy as one of the most impactful guards to ever grace the competition.
The Efficient Engine
Bonzie Colson’s impact on the BCL was both immediate and undeniable. During his tenure with SIG Strasbourg, he delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in league history, earning the season MVP award in 2021. A versatile forward who could score from the post, mid-range, or beyond the arc, Colson was a mismatch nightmare for every defense. His high basketball IQ and rebounding prowess allowed him to dominate games without needing a high volume of shots. Even after moving to Pinar Karsiyaka, his reputation as a winner and a top-tier professional remained undisputed across Europe.
The Iron Man
Vojtech Hruban is the ultimate BCL loyalist and a pure scoring machine. The Czech forward, as the face of ERA Nymburk, became the first player in league history to cross the 1,000-point threshold. His consistency is unmatched. Season after season, Hruban provided elite perimeter shooting and savvy off-ball movement. He wasn’t just a specialist, though, since his ability to perform in big-time games made the team a respected giant killer. His career is the story of the Champions League’s growth, representing the high-level European talent that has made this competition a success.
The Tower of Power
Giorgi Shermadini is the all-time leading scorer of the Champions League. Playing alongside Huertas at Tenerife, he formed the most lethal duo in BCL history. Shermadini’s soft touch around the rim, combined with his elite screening and rebounding, makes him nearly impossible to contain in single coverage. A foundational pillar of the 2022 championship squad, his statistical dominance and consistent excellence in the paint make him the only logical choice for the Team of the Decade’s center.