Plenty of players ready to steal the spotlight in EuroCup Women Group J
MUNICH (EuroCup Women) – We wrap up our preview of this season's EuroCup Women season with some of the players set to stand out in Group J for Nantes Reze, Saint-Amand, CMB Cargo Uni Gyor and Namur.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (Nantes Reze)
The WNBA forward has made a switch from Flammes Carolo Basket and will be the main go-to player for Nantes Reze in the paint. Athletic and strong, she will be a tough defensive assignment for opponents and at the other end of the court, will help to solidify the Nantes defense.
Katarina Tetemondova (Saint-Amand)
The three-point shooting touch of the Slovak Republic international will be hugely important for Saint-Amand on their return to the EuroCup Women Regular Season after several years away. The forward can stretch defenses with her shooting-range, but will also get to the hoop and she is a very underrated performer at this level.
Tijana Krivacevic (CMB Cargo Uni Gyor)
Back to play in her homeland again and with lots of EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women experience behind her, the Hungary national team star can be the marquee player for Gyor. Likely to be their main threat inside and typically exploiting pick-and-roll situations, Krivacevic can prove difficult to lock down.
Hanne Mestdagh (Namur)
What a year it has been for Mestdagh after landing on the third podium step at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 in Prague. The forward is looking to play a leading role with Namur now she is back in Belgium, having posted a nice campaign last year in Germany at Eisvogel USC Freiburg. While she might not put up massive numbers, it is the minutes played each game that will truly underline how important her role is.
Lidija Turcinovic (Nantes Reze)
This looks like a great opportunity for the shooting guard to play a more prominent role on a EuroCup Women team. Last year saw relatively limited opportunities with Flammes Carolo Basket, or at least in comparison to 2015-16 in Toulouse where she turned heads. Her feisty and hard-nosed approach will be welcomed and if she can get some rhythm and confidence shooting-wise, she could really shine.
Laura Garcia (Saint-Amand)
An esteemed leader for her team, Garcia sets the example and others around her follow. Now entering her sixth consecutive campaign with Hainaut, she is recognized as the heart and soul of the team and also the club. Her influence is considerable in many ways and even if her stats line doesn't produce eye-popping numbers, the intangibles and experience are so precious.
Nirra Fields (CMB Cargo Uni Gyor)
The MVP of the recent Women's AmeriCup in Argentina will be brimming with confidence for her first season in a top-flight European League. The UCLA graduate showed she can be a devastating scorer in the Turkish second tier last season and will now make her EuroCup Women debut. Defenders had better watch out because take a nap and she will punish you in a big way.
Briana Day (Namur)
Day comes with a big reputation from the NCAA where she was a power in the paint at Syracuse. Now into her rookie pro-season, she has already shown some glimpses of what could be in store ahead of her EuroCup Women debut, with some nice displays in the Belgian League. Strong in the post and with nice quick hands, she could make some noise for her new team.
FIBA
