BasketNews EuroLeague players ranking: 30-11 places / News - Basketnews.com

BasketNewscontinues its very first EuroLeague players ranking, in which 33 players, head coaches, scouts, general managers, and media members from Europe ranked the best players in the competition.

Credit: L.Sgamellotti, R.Molina, T.Adanali, A.Martinez - Getty Images | BasketNews illustration Credit L.Sgamellotti, R.Molina, T.Adanali, A.Martinez - Getty Images | BasketNews illustration

BasketNewscontinues its very first EuroLeague players ranking, in which 33 players, head coaches, scouts, general managers, and media members from Europe ranked the best players in the competition.

The survey participants were given a list of around 100 EuroLeague players, and after combining all the results, we present you the BasketNews Top 50 EuroLeague players ranking.

The respondents were given such ranking scale:

10 points: MVP contender. 7-9: All EuroLeague 1st and 2nd team contender. 5-6: starting five member on a contender team. 3-4: solid role player. 1-2: best of the rest.

On Tuesday, we published players ranked in 50-31 places, and today it's time to check out who took 30-11 positions. The Top 10 list will be released on Thursday, right before the start of the 2022-23 EuroLeague season.

30. Kyle Hines (202 points)

It's funny to remember that this guy mentioned it might have been his last professional season last October. Sir Hines finished the 2021-22 season third in efficiency on his team and was only one of the three players that didn't miss a single game.

Entering his 13th EuroLeague season, Hines still has a lot to offer. If he remains healthy and Milan advances to the playoffs, Hines might become the all-time EuroLeague leader in games played.

29. Mario Hezonja (203 points)

Many questioned his decision to go to Kazan last summer, but Hezonja took one step backward to take two steps forward. Great intel and significant contribution (14.2 PPG) on a winning team led him to a contract with one of the most prestigious EuroLeague franchises.

Hezonja is on a new challenge again, going through inconsistent preseason in Madrid (8.5 PPG). But he's definitely a massive much-needed upgrade for Real's perimeter.

28. Nick Calathes (204 points)

He's not a 20-year-old anymore, and he knows how to play. One of the best EuroLeague point guards left Barcelona with some bad feelings.

He's heading to Fenerbahce with a chip on his shoulder. He didn't hide that Sarunas Jasikevicius' system was too restrictive for him, and he believes Dimitris Itoudis will give him more freedom.

Calathes is 33, but he's still one of the best passing and defending point guards in the league.

27. John Brown (207 points)

The best-ranked EuroLeague sophomore. The 30-year-old forward came to the EuroLeague late, but six months was enough to realize what unique of a player and personality he is.

Brown set the EuroLeague single-game steals record last season (7) and made 5 steals in seven different games. Brown also can score the ball (10.3 PPG), but his defensive abilities and motor make him a perfect glue guy for a talented AS Monaco team.

26. Nicolas Laprovittola (209 points)

When Pablo Laso decided to let him go, he had no clue Laprovittola would become their archrivals' primary perimeter scorer. Thanks to Cory Higgins and Nick Calathes' injuries, the Argentinian guard stepped up and used his opportunity.

He averaged 17.6 points in three games vs. Real Madrid and became a vital booster for the Sarunas Jasikevicius team.

25. Nikola Kalinic (210 points)

Some consider it one of the best off-season signings. Kalinic may not be the flashiest EuroLeague star, but his all-around impact on the court is undeniable.

According to BBallytics, he was the second best in the EuroLeague per NET rating last season. His size, physicality, and post-up on the offense from the small forward position is something coach Jasikevicius might turn into a game-changing advantage in a title race.

24. Gabriel Deck (214 points)

When it matters the most, he is the player you can always trust. Gabriel Deck just recently had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the Supercopa final victory against Barcelona.

Argentina defeated the USA in the AmeriCup semifinal behind Deck's 30-point and 13-rebound show. That's a huge all-around factor that requires adjustments on the other team.

23. Nicolo Melli (218 points)

Inspired by his IQ, Gianmarco Pozzecco said Nicolo Melli was the best player in the world.

The Italian head coach was overwhelmed after Melli's 21-point performance in a sensational EuroBasket Round of 16 upset vs. Serbia. His IQ, skill, and character make him a valuable asset in a promising Milan picture.

22-20. Tornike Shengelia (219 points)

Tornike Shengelia was exploring the NBA market and was facing a promising campaign with Georgia national team before he suffered a shoulder injury on the eve of the EuroBasket 2022.

A 31-year-old big man will miss the start of the EuroLeague season, bus his importance is undeniable, knowing what competition Virtus were facing to get his signature on a 2+1 deal.

22-20. Nando De Colo (219 points)

Nando De Colo made one of the most surprising off-season moves. Despite the numbers on his passport (35), De Colo would have been a treasured asset for any contender.

Instead, he chose to return home after 13 years. His skill and leadership will be crucial for ASVEL heading into the season with 7 new players and a renewed core.

22-20. Nemanja Bjelica (219 points)

Bjelica is returning to the EuroLeague after a 7-year stint in the NBA, where he won the league with the Golden State Warriors last season.

The 34-year-old forward felt it was time to come back to the club that propelled him to the highest basketball stage for one last run in Europe.

Although Bjelica is still nursing a calf injury, the player is expected to return pretty soon. Even though he's past his prime, Fenerbahce fans should be excited about the club's high-level former player coming back to win it all once again.

19. Vladimir Lucic (220 points)

Lucic will start his 7th year with Bayern Munich this season. The Serbian forward is still the clear no. 1 option on offense for head coach Andrea Trinchieri. When he's not with the ball, Lucic's strong body, high basketball IQ, and confident movement help him lock down almost any opponents on the defensive end.

Bayern have been contenders for the playoffs during the last several years, and it wouldn't be possible without Lucic's impact on and off the court.

18. Scottie Wilbekin (221 points)

Wilbekin made a surprising move this summer, transferring from Maccabi, where the local fans loved him as if he was their son. An electric ballhandler capable of hitting 3-pointers from anywhere on the court, Wilbekin is calm and collected when it matters the most, leading the league in free throw percentage last year (94.1%).

Together with Nick Calathes, the guard will join a stacked Fenerbahce roster as the main shot creator and facilitator on offense in hopes of achieving the wins most EuroLeague fans think he deserves. With a more talented roster around him, a scoring title is not out of the realm of possibility.

17. Cory Higgins (222 points)

Two years ago, Cory Higgins was touted as the best shooting guard in the league by a significant margin. Last year, the story changed with the player experiencing prolonged injuries that forced him out of Barcelona's roster through the majority of the season.

Higgins now returns healthy and ready to prove his doubters wrong. Head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius has a plan for his comeback as well.

16. Dzanan Musa (224 points)

Musa dazzled the European crowds during EuroBasket 2022 with his confident moves on the court, snatching the spotlight on the Bosnian national team from Jusuf Nurkic. Musa became the Spanish Liga Endesa MVP the season prior. Then, he was 7th in points per game in the EuroBasket.

The Bosnian scorer did not stop after the international stage and quickly became one of the leaders of Real Madrid during the preseason. Musa is set out to prove that his unsuccessful stint with Anadolu Efes was just an exception and not the rule.

15. Brandon Davies (232 points)

After three years in Barcelona, Brandon Davies decided to change the scenery and join Olimpia Milan.

What kind of force he can be, Davies showed last season against Monaco when he finished the game with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 8 drawn fouls, and 38 PIR.

Davies' clutch basket against Pesaro also allowed Milan to snatch a victory in the Italian league. Apart from the game-winning basket, the American forward scored 21 points.

14. Jan Vesely (233 points)

Another forward who changed his team and will replace Davies in Barcelona.

Vesely needs no introduction. Fenerbahce icon and his accolades speak for himself. Vesely is coming off one of his best career seasons in the EuroLeague after averaging 13.6 points (career-high), 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 18.2 PIR (career-high) in 22 games last year.

13-12. Tomas Satoransky (238 points)

Satoransky returns to Barcelona and EuroLeague after a 6-year stint in the NBA and will be one of the most interesting players to watch.

Seeing how he generates Czech Republic's offense, there is little doubt that the 30-year-old will successfully bring his A-game in the EuroLeague as well.

In EuroBasket 2022, Satoransky averaged 4.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 11.0 assists despite playing through injury or at least its repercussions.

13-12. Lorenzo Brown (238 points)

There's no doubt that the incredible EuroBasket campaign raised Brown's stock significantly. And he fully deserves it.

However, it doesn't mean that Brown is some sort of no-name in the EuroLeague. Actually, quite the opposite. Last season with UNICS Kazan, Brown averaged 13.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 17.3 PIR. That's good enough to make the Top 15 in each of these categories.

11. Shavon Shields (239 points)

Right-hand fracture didn't stop Shields from making All-EuroLeague Second Team last season.

After joining Olimpia Milan in 2020, Shields instantly became one of the focal points in the team and kept the Italian powerhouse offense afloat. Last season he was the only Olimpia Milan player who averaged double-digit numbers in points.

You can find all the BasketNews EuroLeague players' ranking editions here:

50-31 places 10-1 places

Ranking top transfers with Mike James and Errick McCollum:

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