10 Newcomers to Watch: Euroleague

Next league under my magnifying glass is the Euroleague that starts on Thursday, 30th Sept with the match between AS Monaco and Panathinaikos.

The rules for which players are eligible are a little different for international competitions than for domestic leagues. The rule that only-non domestic are eligible doesn’t apply in international competitions

• 1st rule: the players will be playing for the first time in this competition
• 2nd rule: the player must be 27 years old or younger — so only players born in 1994 or after that were eligible for the list

The players on the list are not necessarily the best but just the most interesting to me and I expect that they will not have any problems translating to their new team and league. Also the players are not in any particular order.

Steven Enoch (C | 208 cm | ’97) ~ Saski Baskonia

Starting with Steven Enoch. I really liked him last year, made a report on him and said that he has the talent and potential for the highest level and here we are now. He had some great games in preparations and first rounds of ACB too but he still has room to improve. Offensively he can bring a lot to the team from finishing around the rim to stretching the floor or playing pick & rolls. I expect that he will make some bigger improvements on the defensive end and become a great two-way big in this season. Great signing for Baskonia and I can’t wait to see Steven compete against the best players in Europe.

Donta Hall (PF/C | 208 cm | ’97) ~ AS Monaco

This will be the first season for Donta Hall in Europe after a few not that successful NBA seasons where he played mostly in the G League. I believe his game will translate to Europe perfectly. Donta operates mostly closer to the rim and is a really active rebounder on both sides of the floor. Great feel and instincts for rebounds and somehow always at the right place. Showing some great motor in defense too and he could be one of the best defenders in Euroleague on the big man spots. I think Donta could have a nice career in Europe and not many bigs will have an easy time playing against him on both sides of the floor.

Devon Hall (SG | 196 cm | ’95) ~ Olimpia Milano

Another “Hall” on my list is Devon Hall who signed for Olimpia Milano. They are not connected in any way and also their playing style is completely different. Devon brings much more to the team on the offensive end. A very good scorer and he proved that last season with Brose Bamberg in Germany and in Basketball Champions League. He has good positional size and a strong body and uses it very wisely on the offensive end. Can score in a lot of different ways and I think he will fit well in this system with many good passers and experienced players in Milano. Needs to improve his isolation and pick & roll game to become an even better player but as said, even his off-ball game will fit in this team really well.

Andreas Obst (SG | 191 cm | ’96) ~ Bayern Munich

As I said, “my rules” in international competitions are a little different and domestic players are eligible for the list too. A player that I really can’t wait to see on this level is Andreas Obst. He is a great offensive player that was improving his offensive game year after year and now he has become a basically complete offensive package that can score in many ways. His shot from distance is still his main weapon and he is one of the best shooters in Euroleague. Bayern has a lot of guards in their team so it will be a hard task for coach Trinchieri to distribute the minutes to all players but I’m sure that Obst will get his share and that he will be a pretty important piece of their offensive game.

Marial Shayok (SF | 198 cm | ’95) ~ Fenerbahce

Marial Shayok came to Europe last season in January when he signed for Bursaspor in the Turkish League. He was one of the best scorers of the Turkish league and it was no secret that he is ready for a new challenge. Marial is a great player in isolation and transition. Really fluid with the ball in his hands and can easily throw the defense out of balance. Dangerous as a shooter and also with bringing the rock to the rim. Now Fenerbahce has in Marial and Nando De Colo two great scorers and some other great pieces in their team and they could be a really good team if everything works well. I really like the scoring ability from Marial and I think he will be able to show his qualities on the Euroleague level too.

Victor Wembanyama (PF/C | 218 cm | 04) ~ Asvel

When speaking of interesting newcomers, we can not overlook Victor Wembanyama. The 17-year old big is one of the main candidates for the 1st pick in 2023 NBA Draft and the best prospect in Europe at the moment. His sky-high defensive potential and his ability to make plays in offense are intriguing already but the scary thing is that he can still improve in all areas. Many eyes will be on him this season and he will probably get some minutes to show off his talents. One of the youngest players in Euroleague and, in my opinion, also by far the most interesting one.

Keenan Evans (PG | 191 cm | ’96) ~ Maccabi Tel Aviv

Keenan Evans is not a new name on this channel. I expected him first in some Eurocup team and later making a jump to the Euroleague but he skipped a step and joined an Euroleague team directly. His all-around offensive game where he could fill all the stat lines will definitely be useful in this Maccabi team which is loaded with some great offensive players on backcourt spots. I believe that he is ready for a decent role in the Euroleague and that he will be one of the most important players in Maccabi even though he probably won’t be one of their top scorers.

Jehyve Floyd (C | 203 cm | ’97) ~ Panathinaikos

Jehyve Floyd is one of the players I liked the most in the last few seasons in Europe and I’m really happy for him that he got an opportunity on Euroleague level. I was also requested a few times that I should make a report on him and I promise I will make it during the season. Jehyve is an undersized but really athletic big man that can make a big impact in defense. He is able to switch in defense and also protect the rim extremely well. In offense he is very good in pick & roll actions and in transition where he can easily outrun other bigs. He has no mercy for the rim and goes for some powerful dunks most of the time. Great signing from Panathinaikos and I think Jehyve is one of the players to watch and that he will bring some highlight plays in every match.

Josh Nebo (C | 206 cm | ’97) ~ Žalgiris

Speaking of highlight plays, Josh Nebo is another player capable of bringing them every night. He is also not a new name on this channel and I already made a report on him. An athletic and explosive big that has a lot to offer on both sides of the floor. He is still young and has room to improve and in my opinion he is one of the most promising young US bigs in Europe at the moment. I have high expectations from him and I believe he will have a good season in Euroleague.

Emmanuel Mudiay (PG | 196 cm | ’96) ~ Žalgiris

Finishing the list with another Žalgiris player and one of the biggest signings on paper in this off-season. Emmanuel Mudiay was the 7th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and has played more than 300 NBA games in his life. His way to the NBA was interesting since he decided to forgo college and joined a Chinese team Guangdong Southern Tigers and this was his team before the NBA Draft. Great penetrator, has great size and ability to finish under contact. I think he will easily beat the first line of defense and get to the rim in Europe where he will score a lot of his points. Not the best shooter from distance, lacks consistency but also not attempting many shots. His leadership ability will be very helpful to Žalgiris and I think he could have a nice season in Lithuania.