NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – In a star laden competition such as EuroLeague Women, it's inevitable that the very biggest names and clubs hoover up much of the spotlight.

However, there are a number of players who have been impressing this season for teams who have had their struggles and consequently their work has perhaps been overshadowed.

So, here's my pick of players I feel deserve some love and attention right now as we head down the stretch of the Regular Season.

Leonor Rodriguez - Wisla CANPACK

The Spanish shooter has had such a good season and it feels like she has finally found a home and is producing the kind of game we always knew she had inside of her. You can't ask more of any player than producing their best ever pro-season. It's a big congratulations to Leo, since she is smashing it for Wisla with 15.3 points per game and helped by 43 percent shooting from downtown! She has also racked up an eye-catching 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game!

Artemis Spanou – CCC Polkowice

We saw the importance of Spanou from a defensive standpoint at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 when she helped Greece go on that amazing run to the Semi-Finals. She has continued her good form and registered a very productive season with CCC Polkowice. She has shot 52 percent from the field for 10 points per game and came up with 6.2 rebounds and 2 assists per outing. However, I am always left impressed with the intangibles and relentless hard work that doesn't show up on the statistics!

Celeste Trahan-Davis – Castors Braine

Trahan-Davis could and should she be a naturalized option for Belgium. She is towards the back end of her career now as she is in her thirties, but would still do a great job – just like she has been doing with Castors Braine. the frontcourt star is in the top 10 in EuroLeague Women for efficiency, while her 14.3 points and 7.8 boards per game has been a terrific return for her team and might yet get them into EuroCup Women.

Courtney Hurt - BLMA

 
Let's face it, this has been a disastrous and relatively turbulent campaign for BLMA who are a rotten 1-11. The one consistency has been the reliability of Courtney Hurt, who may not have been spectacular, but in a difficult situation, she has been a rock - and that needs some recognition. Averaging 12.3 points per game from almost 50 percent shooting and also offering 7.2 boards, she could barely have done much more to help out.

Brionna Jones – Nadezhda

Full credit to Jones for how she has managed her first season in EuroLeague Women. Orenburg is a long way from home, she has not got to play with her compatriot Alex Bentley who has been sidelined with injury all season, so a lot of weight has fallen on Jones and Emma Cannon. With a coaching change also thrown at her, you have to give some respect and applause for a commendable 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 22 minutes per outing. She has also shot 57 percent from the field which is terrific.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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