Bonzie Colson, Chima Moneke claim EuroLeague Round 18 co-MVP award / News - Basketnews.com

Chima Moneke and Bonzie Colson were named EuroLeague Round 18 co-MVPs after guiding Baskonia and Maccabi to victories while accumulating 34 PIR each.

Credit: Milos Vukadinovic/GettyImages, Aitor Arrizabalaga via Getty Images Credit Milos Vukadinovic/GettyImages, Aitor Arrizabalaga via Getty Images

A nearly mistake-free game that helped keep his team riding high and a monster effort in a memorable comeback produced respective co-MVPs in Round 18 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season:Bonzie Colsonof Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv andChima Monekeof Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Bonzie Colson

MIN:27.56PTS:13.44 (56.7%)REB:5.89As:0.67ST:1.33BL:0.28TO:0.67GM:18ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Colson earned his first MVP honor in the EuroLeague by posting 27 points and a PIR of 34 – each the second-highest totals in his 57-game career – as Maccabi downed visiting AS Monaco 93-83 on Tuesday.

Just as impressive was his shooting efficiency as Colson made 9-of-10 two-pointers, 2-of-3 triples, and 3-of-4 free throws in 25 minutes. He added 5 rebounds – 3 on offense – 2 steals, and 1 block while committing just 1 turnover and drawing 5 fouls.

Moneke was a tour de force as Baskonia rallied from 17 points down with 15 minutes left to beat Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 75-73 at home in a thriller.

Moneke finished with 20 points and a career-high tying 13 rebounds. He collected 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, including a game-tying triple within the final minute. He shot 4-for-5 on two-pointers, 2-for-3 on triples, and 6-for-7 on free throws in 25 minutes.

Mike Jamesof Monaco followed with a 32 PIR, based on his 27 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, despite his team's road loss to Maccabi.

More fortunate wasJoel Bolomboyof Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, whose career highs of 24 points and 31 PIR helped carry his team to a 76-85 road win at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Five players tied for the fifth-best PIR of 28. Three of them won their games:Moustapha Fallof Olympiacos Piraeus, who anchored a 79-74 home win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

Damien Inglis, who led Valencia Basket past visiting Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 93-88, and Jan Vesely, who guided FC Barcelona to an 83-78 over archrival Real Madrid.

Mike Scottof LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne andNigel Hayes-Davisof Fenerbahce matched their 28 PIRs in losing efforts.

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