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Who was each club's MVP of the first EuroLeague Women Regular Season hub?
09/12/2020
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Who was each club's MVP of the first EuroLeague Women Regular Season hub?

MUNICH (Germany) - There were a number of outstanding performances during the opening EuroLeague Women Regular Season hub, with many head and shoulders above their teammates.

With each each club having already been given their collective assessment grade for their efforts in the first bubble, it is now time to turn the spotlight on those individuals who brought the noise for their respective teams.

Group A

Perfumerias Avenida AVEN 

Tiffany Hayes - G / 1.78m / 1989

Statistics: 22.5 PPG; 59% FG; 5.0 RPG; EFF 20.5

Shooting almost 60 percent from the field, Hayes was on fire for Avenida and finished the hub as the second leading scorer in the tournament. She made the Top Performers lineup for Gameday 2 and was in the top 10 for efficiency across the bubble. That speaks volumes, since she did some hard work on the glass to help her teammates in the frontcourt too. 

Nadezhda NAD 

Anastasia Logunova - PF/ 1.93m / 1990

Statistics: 10.5 PPG; 7.5 RPG

Logunova was the MVP of that memorable and surprise opening day victory against Dynamo Kursk. The Russian forward landed a spot as a Top Performer on Gameday 1 with a special double-double. Even if the subsequent Avenida clash was one to forget, there's no taking away how she helped her team get that precious first W on the board!

Dynamo Kursk KURS

Arike Ogunbowale - G/ 1.73m / 1997

Statistics: 23 PPG; 5.5 APG

The  stats indicate that Ogunbowale had productive opening games in what is her her rookie EuroLeague Women campaign. She finished as the most prolific scorer in the competition, but instead of everyone being enthused by this status, Kursk losing both of their games in ugly fashion means a dark cloud has been cast over any team MVP accolade.

Group B

LDLC ASVEL Feminin LYON

Marine Johannes - G/ 1.85m / 1995

Statistics: 17.0 PPG; 6.7 APG; 5.3 RPG; 2.0 SPG; 22.0 EFF

This MVP is the easiest decision anyone ever made. This tournament highlights reel was 'Johannesque' in every way. Even by the guard's high standards, the entertainment level went skywards. Her career-high 38 points against Praha was special. Don't allow her defensive intensity, work on the boards and efficiency to be forgotten, because this was a stellar all-around effort.

ZVVZ USK Praha USK  

Alyssa Thomas - F/ 1.88m / 1992

Statistics: 15.7 PPG;  13.7 RPG; 8.0 APG; 26.0 EFF

Brionna Jones - C / 1.90m / 1995

Statistics: 18.3 PPG; 60% FG; 9.7 RPG; 2 APG; 25.7 EFF

We could sit here until 2021 and still not put any daylight between this pair of brilliant performers, so they're getting the only co-MVP award in the list. The best one-two punch in the tournament, nobody can slow them down. Thomas finished with a triple-double against VBW Arka Gdynia and it summed up her do-it-all approach. She was incredible on the glass and leads the competition in rebounding. Meanwhile, Jones also took Top Performer honors on Gameday 3. Perhaps most impressive of all, both Thomas and Jones are placed first and second in the efficiency chart. 

Fenerbahce FENE 

Satou Sabally - PF/C / 1.90m / 1998

Statistics: 20.0 PPG; 10.3 RPG;  3.0 APG; 23.3 EFF

In the top six for points, rebounds and efficiency, Sabally lived up to her top billing with a hub double-double. Her debut performance in the competition was sensational against ZVVZ USK Praha as she was crowned Gameday 1 Top Performer. There's even more to come and she is a  lock to establish herself as a leading EuroLeague Women star.

VBW Arka Gdynia GDYN 

Barbora Balintova - PG / 1.79m / 1994

Statistics: 10.0 PPG; 3.0 RPG;  7.0 APG

While VBW Arka Gdynia did not win a game, there were still some respectable performances including Artemis Spanou, Alice Kunek and Laura Miskiene. But it is hard to look past the fact that playmaker Balintova walked away with a massive 7 assists per game, which was the second best of the competition and also a double-digit scoring return.

Group C

UMMC Ekaterinburg UMMC   

Jonquel Jones - C / 1.98m / 1994

Statistics: 20.0PPG; 77.4% FG; 9.3 RPG;  24.3 EFF

This was as clinical as you could realistically imagine from anyone after Jones shot 77 percent from the floor, making 24 of 31 shots across the three games. Paving the way for that potency was her shot selection and she also came close to landing a tournament double-double due to her work on the boards. A really strong showing from the center.

Spar Girona GIRO 

Sonja Vasic - F / 1.89m / 1989

Statistics: 18.8 PPG; 56.2% FG; 4.0 RPG; 3.0 APG

Vasic takes the Spar Girona MVP award not only on her overall numbers, but the leadership she always shows on the floor and especially when her team needs her most. The Serbian ace was her usual influential self and also did a lot of work and organizing away from the ball which is just as important as her nice statistical contributions.

Beretta Famila Schio SCHI  

Sandrine Gruda - C / 1.93m / 1987

Statistics: 19.3 PPG; 7.0 RPG;  22.3 EFF

Those who identify themselves with 'Team Gruda' will be happy with her usual outstanding contribution to the cause, even if it could not prevent Schio from slipping to 1-2. The French veteran is getting better with age and was so good against Girona in the last game, she was the Top Performer for Gameday 3. 

TTT Riga TTTR  

Kitija Laksa - SF/ 1.86m / 1996

Statistics:  16.3 PPG; 52% FG; 3.0 RPG; 2.0 SPG

Even if TTT Riga had to stomach three losses, there was at least some comfort for Laksa who finally showed the kind of form she's capable of. Last season she didn't find any rhythm, but this was much better. She shot the ball well, looked more dynamic and looked like the player that made everyone sit up and take notice at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2017.

Group D

Sopron Basket SOP 

Gabby Williams - SF/ 1.80m / 1996

Statistics: 18.5 PPG; 56% FG; 5.0 RPG; 3.0 AST;19.5 EFF

When Sopron Basket swooped to sign Williams, it looked on paper that it was one of the most astute and exciting off-season deals. When reality came around, the winger leapt off the paper and excelled on the hardwood with an all-action hub that so perfectly characterizes what Williams is all about. From scoring, to rebounding and creating, she's a real heartbeat for Sopron.

Basket Landes BLAN 

Miranda Ayim - PF / 1.91m / 1988

Statistics: 12.5 PPG; 50% FG;  9.5 RPG 

It was very close between Ayim and her teammate Valeriane Vukosavljevic who was also impressive, but we have given the nod to the Canadian forward. She only just missed out on a tournament double-double and was a driving force behind Landes making history with a first ever win, in what was not only the club's first EuroLeague Women appearance, but also Ayim's too.

Bourges Basket BOUR 

Alexia Chartereau - F / 1.90m / 1998

Statistics: 18.0 PPG; 10.0 RPG; 20.5 EFF

Chartereau was talked up as the main player for Bourges heading into the new season and she underlined why with a terrific hub double-double. In is just a pity that her exceptional contribution was soured by Bourges losing both of their games and heading back to France winless.

FIBA