Players that got a spark from the February window

MIES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Players have often remarked how linking up with their national teams for the World Cup Qualifiers helped them recharge their batteries.

Martin Hermannsson of Iceland, who scored 26 points against Finland and then against the Czech Republic in the February window, said: "You get to go home, stay in shape, play games. I think it really shows in my game. I think I've been playing probably better after I went back home both times." 

A lot of players clearly enjoyed the change of scenery because they have had some great games since returning to their clubs. Here are some examples. 

Yago Dos Santos, Brazil

Yago's Brazil experience is no doubt helping him become a better player

The case can certainly be made that Yago Dos Santos became a more confident player while competing for Brazil in the February window. A 19-year-old point guard, Yago before the international break had 7 points and 5 assists in 24 minutes of Paulistano's February 15 win over Basquete Cearense and 5 points and 4 assists in 20 minutes of a February 17 win over Vitoria. In his first game back after excelling for Brazil in wins over Colombia and Chile, Dos Santos erupted for 25 points in 17 minutes of a 112-64 Paulistano thumping of Botafogo. Two days later, he played just 8 minutes yet scored 14 points in a 102-59 rout of Vasco da Gama. Yago and Paulistano are now waiting to play in the NBB Quarter-Finals. 

Terrific performances since Americas Qualifiers' February window
March 1 vs Botafogo	17min, 25pts, 3reb, 6ast
March 3 vs Vasco da Gama	8min, 14pts (2-3 3pts), 2ast
March 27 vs Caixes do Sul	22min, 17pts (3-7 3pts), 6reb

 

Lucas Dias-Silva, Brazil

The young Brazil big that Petrovic raved about after the February Qualifiers was 22-year-old Dias, a Paulistano teammate of Dos Santos. After playing for his country, Dias had 6 points and team-high 11 rebounds in the 112-64 demolition of Botafogo and then 17 points and 9 boards in the 102-59 rout of Vasco da Gama.

Terrific performances since Americas Qualifiers' February window
March 1 vs Botafogo	18min, 6pts, 11reb, 4ast
March  3 vs Vasco da Gama	19min, 17pts, 9reb, 2stl
March 8 vs Campo Mourao	18min, 16pts (7-10 FG)
March 25 vs Joinville	31min, 10pts, 12reb

 

Eimantas Bendzius, Lithuania

Bendzius has been one of the revelations of the Qualifiers

Bendzius didn't play much for the Lithuania squad at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 that suffered a Round of 16 exit. He has logged plenty of minutes in the World Cup Qualifiers, however, and shown every indication that he'll be with the team next year in China for the 32-team tournament if, as expected, they clinch a spot. He's been on a tear for Monbus Obradoiro in Spain since shining in the February window, averaging 16.8ppg.

Terrific performances since European Qualifiers' February window
March 4 vs Fuenlabrada	25min, 15pts (2-6 3pts), 4reb, 6ast
March 11 vs Gran Canaria	28min, 21pts (7-8 FG, 3-4 3pts)
March 17 vs Joventut	28min, 15pts (2-5 3pts), 5reb
March 25 vs Barcelona	35min, 20pts (5-9 3pts), 6reb
April 1 vs San Pablo Burgos	28min, 16pts, 6reb
April 8 vs Real Madrid	32min, 14pts (3-7 3pts)

  

Lucas Redivo, Argentina

Redivo has been red hot of late for Bilbao

Redivo has been a valuable player for Argentina in the past year, averaging almost 10ppg at the FIBA Americup and also providing scoring in all four World Cup Qualifiers. In February, the 24-year-old poured in 18 points against Uruguay and 14 against Paraguay as Argentina went 1-1. Immediately upon his return, on March 4, the Bilbao guard scored 18 points against Delta Co GBC in Spain's top flight while in his last three outings against Iberostar Tenerife, Movistar Estudiantes and Herbalife Gran Canaria, Redivo has had 19, 18 and 31 points, respectively.

Terrific  performances since Americas Qualifiers' February window
March 4 vs Deltaco GBC	27min, 18pts (7-12 FG, 4-7 3pts)
April 1 vs Iberostar Tenerife	25min, 19pts (7-13 FG, 3-7 3pts)
April 8 vs Movistar Estudiantes	28min, 18pts (6-13 FG, 3-7 3pts)
April 11 vs Herbalife Gran Canaria	35min, 31pts (9-15 FG, 6-11 3pts)

    

Gregory Vargas, Venezuela

After two Venezuela wins, Vargas led Fuenlabrada to victory at Obradoiro

Vargas needed no time to get back into rhythm after helping Venezuela beat Chile and then Colombia in February. The veteran guard returned to Spanish club Fuenlabrada on March 4 and scored a season-high 18 points to help the Madrid outfit prevail at Monbus Obradoiro, 81-78.

Terrific  performances since Americas Qualifiers' February window
March 4 vs M. Obradoiro Tenerife	39min, 18pts, 5reb, 5ast
March 7 vs Estudiantes	21min, 11pts, 4reb, 5ast

  

Guo Ailun, China

Guo is pure magic when he has the ball in his hands 

After the February window, Guo hit the hardwood in the CBA Play-Off Quarter-Final series for Liaoning and had a double-double in his first game, a 92-91 triumph over Beijing Ducks. The point guard had 13 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds. His 22 points and 8 assists weren't enough in Game 2 with Beijing winning 95-87, but Guo came to the fore in Game 3 as Liaoning prevailed, and the club then won Game 4 to set up a Semi-Final showdown with Guangdong in which he also excelled.

Terrific performances since Asian Qualifiers' February window
March 14 vs Beijing	34min, 13pts, 7reb, 10ast
March 17 vs Beijing	34min, 22pts, 2reb, 8ast
March 19 vs Beijing	41min, 18pts, 8reb, 5ast
March 29 vs Guangdong	40min, 21pts, 4reb, 6ast
March 31 vs Guangdong	36min, 23pts, 7reb, 7ast
April 5 vs Guangdong	31min, 15pts, 4reb, 6ast

 

Yi Jianlian, China

Yi has excelled since playing for China against New Zealand and Hong Kong

China's veteran big hardly missed a beat after representing his country in February against New Zealand and Hong Kong. In the first two wins over Xinjiang in the Play-Off Quarter-Finals, Guangdong star Yi had 26 points and 10 rebounds and 20 points and 12 boards, respectively. He then had 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks in the series clinching Game 4, 118-94 triumph. Yi most recently had a game-high 31 points and 7 rebounds in a 110-102 victory over Liaoning in Game 4 of the Semi-Finals but Guo Ailun and Co won Game 5 to knock Guangdong out of title contention.

Terrific performances after Asian Qualifiers' February window
March 14 vs Xinjiang	38min, 26pts, 10reb, 3ast
March 17 vs Xinjiang	37min, 14pts, 12reb, 4ast
March 22 vs Xinjiang	34min, 17pts, 6reb, 4ast
April 3 vs Liaoning	36min, 22pts, 7reb, 1stl
April 5 vs Liaoning	37min, 31pts, 7reb, 1stl

 

Michael Efevberha, Nigeria

You might remember the 3-point shooting clinic that Efevberha had in the February window when he hit 5 shots from deep in the first quarter of a win against Rwanda? Well, Efevberha was just warming up for his new team in Lebanon, Beirut Club, because he's been in sizzling form ever since. He had 24 points in a March 10 victory over Sagesse and 37 in a big win at Al Riyadi. Efevberha hit 8 3-pointers in that second win and then in the game against Champville, he nailed 7 shots from long range on route to 32 points. He also buried 6 attempts from deep in a March 27 home success over Homenetmen.

Terrific performances since African Qualifiers' February window
March 10 vs Sagesse	40min, 24pts (8-13 3pt), 6reb, 5ast
March 13 vs Al Riyadi	40min, 37pts, 5reb, 3ast
March 24 vs Champville	39min, 32pts (7-15 3pts), 2reb, 3ast
March 27 vs Homenetmen	40min, 30pts (6-11 3pts), 6reb, 4ast

 

Tai Webster, New Zealand

Tai Webster was wheeling and dealing for the Tall Blacks against China

Webster has looked a stronger player at times since helping New Zealand to February victories at China and Korea. The younger brother of Tall Blacks star Corey, Tai has excelled for Fraport Skyliners with in several recent games.

Terrific performances since Asian Qualifiers' February window
March 4 vs Wurzburg	33min, 16pts, 6ast
March 18 vs Oettinger	24min, 14pts, 4ast, 2stl
April 2 vs Mitteldeutscher BC	25min, 26pts (3-4 3pts), 5reb, 2stl
April 8 vs  San-en	34min, 26pts, 9reb, 7ast

  

Martin Hermannsson, Iceland

How did the Chalon/Reims guard celebrate Iceland's February victories over Finland and the Czech Republic? In a March 10 win over Strasbourg (80-72), he poured in 21 points, while in a 76-75 home defeat to Le Mans nine days later, Hermannsson had 20. "I really like this setup that FIBA has now," he said. "It also makes the season easier, it breaks it up." 

Terrific performances since European Qualifiers' February window
March 3 vs Limoges	29min, 8pts, 5reb, 6ast
March 10 vs Strasbourg	36min, 21pts, 4reb, 4ast
March 17 vs Chalon	34min, 13pts, 2reb, 4ast
March 19 vs Limoges	32min, 20pts, 3reb, 3ast
March 31 vs Nanterre	38min, 11pts, 9ast, 2stl
April 7 vs Monaco	32min, 18pts (6-8 FG), 5ast

  

Aleksa Avramovic, Serbia

Remember that big 3-pointer that Avramovic hit for Serbia in their narrow escape at Austria? That same Avramovic has had some bright moments back at Italian outfit Openjobmetis Varese. The best of his efforts was the most recent, on March 31, when he hit 4 3-pointers and scored 29 points in an 88-68 home triumph over VL Pesaro.

Terrific performances since European Qualifiers' February window
March 4 vs The Flexx Pistoia	20min, 11pts, 3reb, 2ast
March 10 vs Dolomiti Energia Trentino	23min, 13pts, 2reb, 3ast
March 18 vs Scandone Avellino	22min, 13pts, 3reb, 2ast
March 31 vs VL Pesaro	25min, 29pts (4-6 3pts), 2stl
April 8 vs Capo d'Orlando	34min, 17pts, 3ast, 2stl

 

Joshiko Saibou, Germany

Immediately up his return to Alba Berlin after the February games, the quick-as-lightning guard had a team-high 17 points in a victory over medi Bayreuth. The following week in a triumph over Bremerhaven, he exploded for 20 points. Saibou, who plays for one of Spain's greatest coaches at Alba, Aito Garcia, weighed in with 14 points in the German club's upset of Bayern Munich.

Terrific performances since European Qualifiers' February window
March 4 vs medi Bayreuth	25min, 17pts, 4reb, 3ast
March 11 vs Bremerhaven	22min, 20pts, 3reb, 4ast
March 25 vs Bayern Munich	17min, 14pts (5-5 FG, 3-3 3pts)
April 1 vs Wurzburg	18min, 14pts (5-6 FG), 4reb
April 8 vs Telekom Baskets Bonn	24min, 15pts (3-4 3pts), 3stl

 

Naoki Uto, Japan

Uto flew through the air for Japan in the February window

Though his club side, Toyama Grouses, is finding wins hard to come by, Uto has been producing night in and night out. He is one of only two Japanese in the top 10 scorers (17.1ppg) in the B.League and is top in assists (7.4apg). In a March 3 clash with Nagoya, Uto had 14 points and 6 assists. Next against Osaka, Uto had 20 points and 11 assists. His signature performance came in a 98-86 win over Haikkado when he had a 20-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist triple double.  

Terrific performances since Asian Qualifiers' February window
March 3 vs Nagoya	36min, 14pts, 4reb, 6ast
March 4 vs Nagoya	40min, 18pts, 5reb, 10ast
March 9 vs Osaka Evessa	34min, 20pts, 4reb, 11ast
March 10 vs Osaka Evessa	38min, 13pts, 14ast
March 17 vs Haikkado	28min, 20pts, 10reb, 12ast
April 8 vs  San-en	34min, 26pts, 9reb, 7ast

 

Pako Cruz, Mexico

Cruz, who had 32 points in Mexico's defeat to Puerto Rico on February 24, had 16 in his first game back with Fuenlabrada in their win at Obradoiro on March 4. Even more impressive was his 29 on April 1, although it came in a 94-91 home defeat to Real Betis Energia Plus of Seville.

Terrific performances since Americas Qualifiers' February window
March 4 vs M Obradoiro	34min, 16pts, 3reb, 7ast
March 10 vs Estudiantes	21min, 11pts, 2reb, 3ast
March 18 vs Unicaja Malaga	25min, 7pts, 5reb, 6ast
April 1 vs Real Betis Sevilla	30min, 29pts (4-7 3pts)
April 8 vs San Pablo Burgos	31min, 16pts, 7reb

 

Nathan Sobey, Australia

Sobey took no prisoners for Australia on both ends of the floor 

Sobey has competed in all four World Cup Qualifiers. After helping Australia win twice in February, he returned to Adelaide and averaged 14ppg and 4.5apg and 5.5rpg as the 36ers swept the Perth Wildcats in the NBL Semi-Finals. He then averaged 10.6ppg, 4.6rpg and 3apg in his team's 3-2 NBL Finals defeat to Melbourne United.

Terrific performanes since Asian Qualifiers' February window
March 3 vs Perth Wildcats	26min, 15pts, 4ast, 2stl
March 9 vs Perth Wildcats	27min, 13pts, 8reb, 5ast
March 16 vs Melbourne Utd	22min, 7pts, 4reb
March 18 vs Melbourne Utd	29mins, 14pts, 7reb, 5ast

 

FIBA