MUNICH (Germany) - All eyes will be on the start of the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season, which begins on Tuesday, October 8, with an abundance of star names ready to take to the court.
We've picked out 10 players to keep an eye out for during the Regular Season.
Bojan Dubljevic (Casademont Zaragoza)
Power Forward
Birth Date: October 24, 1991 (age 32) Height: 2.05m (6ft 9in) Nationality: MNE
The Montenegro international has been a constant performer wherever he has gone during his career and he knows what it takes to be a champion. At 32 years old, Dubljevic is the all-time leader for points and rebounds at Valencia, has won multiple domestic titles and is a two-time EuroCup winner.
Dubljevic is an all-round offensive threat. He brings a solid three-point shot, especially from the top of the key, and can dominate the post. The veteran is also an underrated defender and can protect the basket as well as anyone. Without question, he will be a force in the FIBA Europe Cup this season.
Andre Roberson (Cholet Basket)
Guard/Forward
Birth: December 4, 1991 (age 32) Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in) Nationality: USA
The former Oklahoma City Thunder standout will see his move to France and the FIBA Europe Cup as a fresh chapter, having been sidelined with injuries during the latter part of his NBA career.
Roberson will bring defensive firepower to Cholet this season. During the height of his NBA powers, the Colorado forward was assigned to lock down the opposition’s key players. Roberson’s length and quickness forced mistakes and turnovers from the opposition, and as a result, he was named in the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2017. He can score the ball, too, and is particularly accurate from the mid-range.
Eimantas Bendzius (Banco di Sardegna Sassari)
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 23, 1990 (age 34) Height: 2.05m (6ft 9in) Nationality: LTU
A no-nonsense experienced forward who can score in various ways under the basket and can shoot the ball effectively, too, Bendzius’ true skill is how he can move without the ball and can find open gaps to be able to score.
The Lithuanian will certainly find his scoring touch in the FIBA Europe Cup - he was fifth in scoring in the Basketball Champions League Qualifiers, posting 19.5 points per game, so he will be on a high list of scouting reports for the opposition this season.
Justin Simon (MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg)
Small Forward
Birth Date: May 6, 1996 (age 28) Height: 1.95m (6ft 5in) Nationality: USA
Simon can be a menace at both ends of the floor. Last season, he averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in France for Paris Basketball as well as 7.2 points and 1.6 steals in the EuroCup, helping them to the title.
A patient defender, Simon anticipates what opposition plays are coming and uses his quick thinking and hands to intercept the pass. Offensively, he likes to get his teammates involved and can find the open man at any given time. Plus, he can score when needed - a brilliant addition to MHP RIESEN this season as he returns to the club.
Max Landis (FC Porto)
Guard
Birth Date: February 2, 1993 (age 31) Height: 1.87m (6ft 2in) Nationality: USA
Landis has made Portugal his home, and following several injury lay-offs, he is keen to showcase what he can still do in this season’s campaign. During last year's FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers, Landis dropped 31 points for FC Porto against Nevezis Optibet before being sidelined through injury.
Now back and eager to impress, Landis’ versatile offensive game will be on full display as FC Porto looks to improve on last season’s Quarter-Final showing - recently helping them to another domestic title.
Marcquise Reed (Tofas Bursa)
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: April 21, 1995 (age 29) Height: 2.05m (6ft 3in) Nationality: USA
Reed averaged 21 points per game last season for Turkish side Buyukcekmece, and rarely rushes his offense, always looks to get to his spot and he will be a problem for opposing teams this season.
His smart offensive game will look to push Tofas Bursa into challengers and when he is on form, it could a long night for whoever faces the Turkish side.
Barra Njie (Basketball Lowen Braunschweig)
Point Guard
Birth Date: January 13, 2001 (age 23) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Nationality: SWE
Although he is only 23 years old, Njie already plays beyond his years, and you can tell he enjoys what he does on the court. He is a great scorer and a tremendous passer. He will be an offensive threat throughout the Regular Season.
A skilled point guard with experience in the NBA G-League, he composes the offense like a conductor plays his orchestra. Through his play, Braunschweig might be one of the more exciting teams to watch in the FIBA Europe Cup this season.
Thijs De Ridder (Bilbao Basket)
Power Forward
Birth Date: January 31, 2003 (age 21) Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in) Nationality: BEL
Playing on a team stacked with talent, De Ridder could be set for a breakout season, having impressed in international junior tournaments, most notably averaging 16.9 points and 9.6 rebounds for Belgium at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket in 2023.
A deadly player in the post who isn’t afraid to drift outside and shoot the three-point shot, De Ridder will be looking to shine in the FIBA Europe Cup this season and handle some of the offensive load having maintained his stay in Bilbao.
David Nichols (Alba Fehervar)
Guard
Birth Date: March 26, 1996 (age 28) Height: 1.83m (6ft 0in) Nationality: USA
Free-scoring guard Nichols led the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers in scoring, averaging 25 points per game across the two legs against BC Prievidza, and was third in assists, dishing out 15 across the two games. Hence, it’s easy to see why he will be a threat to any team he comes up against during the Regular Season.
A deadly three-point shooter who hit nine triples in those two games, Nichols can certainly shoot the lights out and find open teammates for easy scores inside and out.
Elvar Fridriksson (Maroussi Basketball Club)
Point Guard
Birth Date: November 11, 1994 (age 29) Height: 1.83m (6ft 0in) Nationality: ISL
Maroussi will aim to go far in this season’s FIBA Europe Cup, and they certainly have the depth and talent to do so. Their main playmaker, Fridriksson, is as composed as they come when the game is on the line and has a vast skillset at both ends of the floor.
The Icelandic star averaged 17 points and 7 assists during the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers, and he will look to continue his form during the Regular Season.
FIBA