MUNICH (Germany) - With the Second Round of the EuroLeague Women Regular Season in full flow, it's time to check out how the race to be crowned MVP is developing.
Here's the updated top 10 featuring all the climbers, fallers and new entrants who are bidding to win the prestigious individual honor.
1. Emma Meesseman - Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding (-)
Forward
Average Stats: 22.1 EFF; 16.3 PPG; 6.0 RPG; 4.3 APG
Even if you argued there has been a slight easing off the gas in the past couple of games, it's been negligible and there is little doubt that Meesseman remains the player to beat in this race. Her class and influence are unquestionable and with Fenerbahce safely into Final Six and yet to lose, this is what the forward lives for on the court - crunch time!
2. Gabby Williams - Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding (+3)
Forward
Average Stats: 20.4 EFF; 13.6 PPG; 5.0 RPG; 4.4 APG; 3.0 SPG
One of the most obvious predictions in the history of predictions came true as Gabby Williams turned up the noise on her quiet-ish start to the campaign. She's caught fire massively and that was underlined by her being crowned the December MVP in the competition. Keeping Fenerbahce perfect, she's 'doing Gabby things' at both ends of the floor.
3. Iliana Rupert - CIMSA CBK Mersin (-)
Center
Average Stats: 19.9 EFF; 14.4 PPG; 8.4 RPG; 2.3 APG
The ride of Mersin into the Final Six has been smooth and their 9-0 record is seriously impressive, with the French center very much a pillar of this success. While she doesn't quite have the biggest numbers, her consistency and quality has been impressive in the paint. Plus, Rupert still looks like she is capable of possibly moving up another gear.
4. Maria Conde - ZVVZ USK Praha (-2)
Shooting Guard / Small Forward
Average Stats: 17.8 EFF; 13.8 PPG; 6.4 APG; 5.0 RPG
It's a modest drop for Conde who could be ruled out for some time with a worrying injury concern and that would be a huge blow to her team. Praha have relied on their Spanish ace for so much throughout the season and many observers agree that any court time missed by the winger would disrupt what's been her best EuroLeague Women campaign.
5. Natasha Howard - CIMSA CBK Mersin (+2)
Forward
Average Stats: 21.3 EFF; 19.2 PPG; 7.7 RPG; 2.0 APG
Capable of some truly jaw-dropping displays, Howard has had some crazy games shooting-wise when she has barely been able to miss. It's given the unbeaten Mersin some magic just when they needed it and the forward has every chance of making moves higher in the race if she maintains this rich vein of form along with her ambitious employer!
6. Janelle Salaun - Beretta Famila Schio (-2)
Forward
Average Stats: 15.7 EFF; 15.1 PPG; 6.0 RPG
7. Brionna Jones - ZVVZ USK Praha (-1)
Center
Average Stats: 19.7 EFF; 16.5 PPG; 7.8 RPG
8. Mariona Ortiz - Casademont Zaragoza (new)
Guard
Average Stats: 11.8 EFF; 6.9 PPG; 5.6 APG; 5.2 RPG; 2.1 SPG
9. Amy Okonkwo - Tango Bourges Basket (new)
Forward
Average Stats: 17.1 EFF; 16.4 PPG; 4.9 RPG; 2.1 APG
10. Stephanie Mavunga - Valencia Basket Club (-)
Forward
Average Stats: 15.3 EFF; 12.0 PPG; 7.6 RPG
DISCLAIMER: The MVP Race, compiled by a panel of experts, is entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. The ranking and all comments are purely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the view of FIBA.