25 Alyssa Thomas (USK)
02/01/2019
Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide
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My EuroLeague Women Team of the Season so far

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) - As we catch a much needed breath during the EuroLeague Women winter break, it’s time to decide which players have impressed most so far in the first part of the Regular Season.

Shey Peddy – TTT Riga

Having followed Shey Peddy when she was playing for the likes TSV 1880 Wasserburg in EuroCup Women, she always looked capable of going on to bigger things, although I am not sure that everyone was convinced she could have this kind of impact on EuroLeague Women. I feel that last year at TTT Riga was important, once again playing in EuroCup Women and putting up bigger numbers and performances than ever. So finding a situation where she is comfortable seems to have given her the springboard required to spearhead the Latvians excellent return to the top tier tournament (they are 4-3). Considering this is actually her first EuroLeague Women season, I think the way she has led her team to get what is really 4 unexpected wins has been so impressive. Actually, make that 6 wins, since they had to beat Reyer Venezia in the Qualifiers. She sets the tone and tempo well and defensively is such a force with more than 3 steals per game. At the other end of the floor, 17 points and 5 assists per game speaks for itself. It has been a great start but not she has become even more of a focus on the scouting report of opponents - will she handle it?

Marine Johannes – Bourges Basket

So here's the deal. In the early Power Rankings, I caused a furore for saying that Johannes had been under par for France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018. Some people threw some numbers at me. I kind of accepted it, but I still think they failed to see that she was arguably under-par against the extremely high standards and expectation that goes with her now. That may feel like a backhanded compliment but it is not. That is what Johannes must now deal with. She is a brilliant, brilliant talent. I expect great things all the time and yes, that is unfair, but I just want to see more and more. Bourges are 5-2 and playing some of their best basketball in years. So far, the guard has underlined her status as a walking highlights reel. In one game you could have cropped about 10 plays of the week from her in one half alone. This is why Johannes is fundamental to the entire future of the women's game and this competition. She is an entertainer and a truly spectacular player. I do love her and I think this season she still has even more to give, but she makes my five at this point because she is not diluting the highlights package with the added maturity she now brings. Just an out and out baller!

Alyssa Thomas – ZVVZ USK Praha

My Player of the Season so far and by some distance. The do-it -all-style of Thomas is a joy because she has achieved that perfect balance of not forcing it too much, being selfish so as to upset her team-mates, but to be dominant in the flow of the game. When she spins near the bucket it is goodnight and sleep tight for her defenders. This is arguably the best early impact I have ever seen in this competition by any rookie. I think ZVVZ USK Praha have made the signing of the off-season and the Czech giants are sat pretty with their best ever start at 6-1. That tremendous effort has been driven not solely, but rather hugely by Thomas. Not only is she the leading scorer in the tournament with 19 points per game, she has attained them at almost 60% from the field. There is also the effort on the glass and more than 4 assists per outing, but the crowning glory for me is that she leads EuroLeague Women in steals with 3.6 per game. Hats off Alyssa - that is just awesome work.

Breanna Stewart – Dynamo Kursk

After years of waiting for this phenomenal talent to finally tread the EuroLeague Women boards, I have not been disappointed. While the WNBA champion and MVP can put up huge numbers (as she did each week in China) she showed at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 that MVP talent is about winning and dragging your team through very ordinary performances. (USA were so ordinary in Tenerife at times).  I feel this pattern has continued at Dynamo Kursk where Stewart has put up a nice early return in terms of her productivity, but it is the ability to just make the difference in the clutch that always leaves you so impressed. Kursk are unbeaten but have not always played well and been wholly unconvincing at times. The game in Salamanca sums up what Stewart offers as she made a big play in the last 30 seconds to effectively give her team the win. Kursk have a special talent and so does this competition. And much like Tenerife, you get the sense that she is easing her way in and could be a difference-maker when the silverware is handed out. 

Brionna Jones – Nadezhda

As was watching the game and largely the live statistics on a busy night of action a few weeks ago, I did laugh out loud when Nadezhda scored their record low of 36 points and yet even in these circumstances, Brionna Jones still claimed an efficient double-double. Following it up with another before we pushed the pause button, that is a staggering 9 double-doubles in a row (including the Qualifiers against a talented Cukurova). Such amazing consistency is not just impressive for neutrals and fans, but it must be such a source of assurance for her team-mates and Coach Lapena. She was also brilliant last year in her rookie season by the way! This time around she has helped an unfancied Nadezhda post a very respectable 3-4 record, pacing them with 15 points per game (53% shooting) and establishing herself as the best rebounder in the competition with almost 12 per outing. 

Off the Bench 

Brittney Griner (UMMC), Kaleena Lewis (Carolo Basket), Celeste Trahan-Davis (Castors Braine), Tina Charles (Dynamo Kursk), Anastasiya Verameyneka (Fenerbahce), Alba Torrens (UMMC). Yvonne Turner (Sopron Basket).

Paul Nilsen

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Paul Nilsen

Paul Nilsen

As a women's basketball specialist for FIBA and FIBA Europe, Paul Nilsen eats, sleeps and breathes women’s hoops and is incredibly passionate about promoting the women’s game - especially at youth level. In Women’s Basketball Worldwide, Paul scours the globe for the very latest from his beloved women’s basketball family.