10 players to watch in the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season

MUNICH (Germany) - The new FIBA Europe Cup season is just around the corner with several star players gathered in their respective hubs for the Regular Season.

We've taken a look through the rosters and picked out 10 players worth keeping an eye on in the 2021 edition.

Curtis JERRELLS - Anwil

GUARD

Birth date: February 5, 1987 (33 years old)
Height: 185cm / 6'1"
Nationality: USA

The 33-year-old has gone all across Europe since turning pro in 2009 with recent stints in Italy - including playing in the Basketball Champions League with Dinamo Sassari. Jerrells signed with Anwil earlier this month in time to help with their preparations for their Regular Season campaign on home soil, in Wloclawek.

The experienced point guard made an instant impact with 24 points to help inspire a league victory on debut, though Jerrells did miss Anwil's most recent encounter at the weekend through injury.

Issuf SANON - BC Dnipro

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: October 30, 1999 (21 years old)
Height: 194cm / 6'4"
Nationality: UKR

The future looks bright for Sanon with the 21-year-old showing why he was taken in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards in last season's FIBA Europe Cup. Sanon averaged 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists with a best of 23 points to help BC Dnipro advance to the Second Round.

Sanon is back for another season in Ukraine, having also represented the senior national team in the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers, and will be looking to help his club side progress even further this season as one of the most talented young players on display.

Adas JUSKEVICIUS - BC Parma

GUARD

Birth date: January 3, 1989 (32 years old)
Height: 194cm / 6'4"
Nationality: LTU

There's a Lithuanian influence on this Russian side with Adas Juskevicius a key piece to the team - alongside compatriot Eigirdas Zukauskas - playing under successful coach Kazys Maksvytis, who won multiple junior titles with the national team.

Juskevicius represented his country at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and the now 32-year-old is in his second season with BC Parma - leading the team in both points (13.9ppg) and assists (4.3apg) in VTB League action.

Alperen SENGUN - Besiktas ICRYPEX

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: July 25, 2002 (18 years old)
Height: 206cm / 6'9"
Nationality: TUR

Despite being only 18 years of age, Sengun has the capability to be one of the players of the competition. The teen sensation has already made his senior debut for Turkey during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers, and is putting up monstrous numbers in the domestic top-flight.

Sengun is averaging a double-double in 18 league appearances with 19.4 points and 10.3 rebounds along with 2.1 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. He made the move to Besiktas in the summer on a three-year contract and is already showcasing his potential in abundance.

Damjan RUDEZ - Donar Groningen

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: June 17, 1986 (34 years old)
Height: 207cm / 6'9"
Nationality: CRO

When it comes to experience, not many can outmatch Damjan Rudez in the FIBA Europe Cup this season. The Croatian veteran spent three years in the NBA from 2014-17 as part of his long pro career and now links up with his older brother, Ivan Rudez - who took over the reigns as head coach in 2020.

Don't expect the 34-year-old to torch opponents, but look out for the way he impacts the game in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor. Rudez will help compliment the roster as the likes of Davonte Lacy and Henry Caruso carry the scoring load. 

Vassilis KAVVADAS - Iraklis BC

CENTER

Birth date: December 28, 1991 (29 years old)
Height: 206cm / 6'9"
Nationality: GRE

Iraklis make their FIBA Europe Cup debut this season with Kavvadas proving to be a reliable presence in the paint in his second season with the club. The 29-year-old made the switch from AEK Athens in 2019, and currently averages 13.1 points and 9.0 rebounds in domestic league play.

Kavvadas also played all four games for Greece as they secured their spot at FIBA EuroBasket 2022 with a best of 14 points and 6 blocks coming in a win over Bulgaria to seal qualification.

Wayne SELDEN - Ironi Ness Ziona

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: September 30, 1994 (26 years old)
Height: 196cm / 6'5"
Nationality: USA

Selden brings his athleticism to Europe for the first time in his pro career having signed with Ironi Ness Ziona in December. The 26-year-old went undrafted out of Kansas, in 2016, but proceeded to play in over 100 NBA games in spells with New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls.

The guard most recently played with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G-League, averaging 11.4 points per game last season and Ironi Ness Ziona will be looking for Selden's all-round skill set to come to the fore as they look for another run in the competition.

Thomas SCHREINER - Kapfenberg Bulls

POINT GUARD

Birth date: February 3, 1987 (33 years old)
Height: 195cm / 6'5"
Nationality: AUT

The Austrian national team captain is back playing on home soil this season after re-joining Kapfenberg Bulls in December, following several seasons overseas in Spain. The 33-year-old spent five seasons with Andorra before a recent two-year spell at Bilbao.

Schreiner previously played for Kapfenberg in the 2011-12 season and returns to help lead the side as they look to progress beyond the Regular Season for the first time. He brings experience at the point guard position and is averaging 8.8 assists per game for the Austrian league leaders.

Nico CARVACHO - Rilski Sportist

CENTER

Birth date: January 24, 1997 (24 years old)
Height: 208cm / 6'10"
Nationality: CHI

The rookie out of Colorado State has made a solid start to his pro career in Bulgaria with averages of 13.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in league play. Carvacho was the NCAA's rebounding leader for the 2018-19 season and finished his college career with 1,000+ points and 1,000+ rebounds.

Carvacho represented Chile at the recent FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers window, posting 13.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in two outings, and can be expected to be a constant double-double threat for Rilski Sportist this season.

Petteri KOPONEN - UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia

GUARD

Birth date: April 13, 1988 (32 years old)
Height: 194cm / 6'4"
Nationality: FIN

Another recent signing, Kopponen joined the Italian side this month with a debut cameo at the weekend in a much-needed league victory. The Finnish international is a former first round NBA Draft pick, and recently played for European giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Kopponen provides Reggio Emilia with a reliable scoring weapon having been a deadly three-point shooter throughout his career. The 32-year-old is also a former EuroCup winner with Khimki in 2015.

FIBA