By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Well, it’s that time of the year again.
Eurohoops presents the Top 100 EuroLeague Players ahead of the 2018-2019 season. A list of players compiled with some specific criteria with the purpose of tracing and ranking those hoopers that are expected to define the upcoming EuroLeague season.
While there are some objective and factual elements that were taken into consideration when choosing the 100 players and then ranking them, the final result is, inevitably, subjective.
As always, there was a calculated risk with rookies, especially those who are completely unfamiliar with European basketball. Hence why some players who will now take their first steps in EuroLeague have been omitted from the list or where placed in lower positions in comparison with EL rookies that already have a considerable experience at a competitive level of European basketball. Experience in this level and type of game matters since we’ve seen no few quality players, even established NBAers, immensely struggle in their new surroundings simply because of their unfamiliarity with everything that European basketball encompasses.
What should be noted is that a player of a team that is a title or Final Four contender automatically got a relative priority over another with possibly similar or equal, maybe even superior individual strengths. This is why you will find that there is an increased number of players from well-known powerhouses. Of course, there’s also the fact that these teams usually sign a lot of top talent.
It goes without saying that injuries also played a part in picking and ranking the players.
Like every year, the Eurohoops Top 100 Players ranking is based on the following criteria (in this order):
1) The individual quality of each player in combination with the role and playing time we anticipate he will get with his team.
2) The strength of the club he plays for. The players of the teams that are usually playoff staples and are considered among the title contenders always have the edge because they combine individual quality with their club’s high aspirations.
3) What each player has achieved in his career in the EuroLeague, combined with the prospect he carries for the 2018-19 season.
The countdown continues with the spots from 21-30. Here are the 40-31, 50-41, 60 – 51, 70 – 61, 80 – 71, 90 – 81, plus the 100 to 91 picks.
30. Anthony Gill (Khimki Moscow)
Year of birth: 1992
Position: Forward
Height: 2.04 m.
2017-2018 stats: 11.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1 assist in 25:53 minutes per game with Khimki Moscow in EuroLeague.
There’s no coach in EuroLeague that wouldn’t want a forward like Anthony Gill on his team’s roster.
It’s not only the fact that Gill is the complete package: A dynamic forward with soaring abilities who can sometimes dunk on the ball in “5 vs 5” as easily he does in transition, a stout and simultaneously agile defender able to guard multiple positions and throw down blocks when he comes off the help, plus a 3-point shooter that no team can risk to leave him open beyond the arc. It’s mostly that in his debut EuroLeague season, Gill rose to the occasion, contributing big in unfriendly arenas, demanding games and “do-or-die” situations for Khimki. Gill basically exceeded all expectations in 2017-2018, especially considering the fact that he just had one year of pro basketball in his resume.
Advancing to the playoffs will be once again a challenge for Khimki given that other teams (Barcelona, Maccabi, Milano, Efes) are expected to make a strong case for returning to the Top 8. If Gill has a similar season like 2017-2018, a legit All-EuroLeague Team candidacy might be in order, given that the Russian team once again makes the postseason at least.
29. Adam Hanga (Barcelona)
Year of birth: 1989
Position: Forward
Height: 2.01 m.
2017-2018 stats: 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2 assists in 24:43 minutes per game with Barcelona in EuroLeague.
Adam Hanga’s first season with Barcelona didn’t go exactly as planned both on a team and individual level. Barcelona suffered from chemistry issues and ultimately missed the playoffs for the second year in a row while the player hurt his knee on March and had to go through surgery some months afterward.
But a renovated Barcelona approaches a new campaign with a much optimism and so does Hanga. The Hungarian player is expected to return to action around the end of October to assume his post as the starting “3” of the squad and help his team’s run towards a playoff or possibly Final Four return.
An energy-packed and high-flying swingman that if you blink you’ll lose track of his position on the court, former DPOY Hanga is the definition of a “multi-tool” who brings versatile contribution on both ends. Defense will always be his forte of course, since he utilizes his athleticism to pull stops in all places, steal balls and then push the transition with some road-runner alike speed.
Seeing him and the “new” Barcelona in EuroLeague definitely feels like a treat already.