26 January, 2021
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Who stood out as their team's MVP during the Regular Season?
03/02/2021
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Who stood out as their team's MVP during the Regular Season?

MUNICH (Germany) - It was over within a flash, but the Regular Season was full of brilliance over the course of four days last week with impressive individual displays.

We picked out a leading candidate from each of the 22 teams that competed as the 2020-21 season next heads into the Play-Offs, in March.

Group A

Iraklis BC IRAK

Olivier Hanlan - G / 1.93m / 1993 / CAN

Statistics: 21.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG

Hanlan came out of the blocks strong for Iraklis with 23 points on the opening day and closed out the week as the third leading scorer through the Regular Season. The Canadian is in his second season with the Greek club and proved to be a key figure in going unbeaten, as they now strengthen their hopes of going all the way.


UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia REGGI

Brandon Taylor - G / 1.80m / 1994 / USA

Statistics: 18.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.7 APG

The American guard put up 18.3 points per game during the week for Reggio Emilia with a 26-point haul clinching his side's spot in the next round. Taylor shot 50 percent from the floor in the three games having recovered from an off-shooting night in the opener, whilst also turning provider for his team-mates.


Belfius Mons-Hainaut MONS

Skylar Spencer - PF / 2.06m / 1994 / USA

Statistics: 14.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG

Spencer was one of seven players with an average efficiency rating in excess of 20.0 after a strong showing for Belfius Mons-Hainaut. The American forward tallied 6 rejections against Iraklis to go with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double as his team came up short in overtime, though they are amongst the last 16 teams.

Egis Kormend EGKO

Anthony Ireland - PG / 1.78m / 1991 / USA

Statistics: 14.7 PPG, 5.0 APG

Ireland impressed in last season's curtailed edition and returned with Kormend hoping to make another strong impression. The American poured in 22 points in their final game, but it wouldn't be enough to break their losing run in Den Bosch, whilst leading the team in assists.

Group B

BC Prometey PROME

DJ Stephens - SF / 1.98m / 1990 / USA

Statistics: 13.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.7 SPG

There were a number of candidates for BC Prometey as they looked convincing with three wins from the group. Stephens got the nod in leading the team in efficiency with at least 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals in every game, whilst catching the eye with his outrageous athleticism.


BC Kyiv Basket KYIV

Bogdan Bliznyuk - SG / 1.98m / 1995 / UKR

Statistics: 11.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.0 APG

Bliznyuk was all over the stat-sheet for BC Kyiv Basket as they battled through. The Ukrainian guard had 5 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in their only win against Kapfenberg, whilst reaching double figures in their two other encounters, while Bruce Massey led the team in points and assists through the week.

Rilski Sportist RILS

Pavlin Ivanov - SG / 1.95m / 1993 / BUL

Statistics: 12.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.3 APG

The Bulgarian guard increased his scoring contributions in each game before finishing with 15 points along with 6 rebounds and 2 assists to help lead his side to their maiden success, to advance. Ivanov led his team in scoring and assists with a combined 11 assists coming in their first two defeats.

Kapfenberg Bulls KAPF

Eric McClellan - SG / 1.93m / 1993 / USA

Statistics: 13.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.3 APG

They may not be advancing any further, but Kapfenberg will at least have the fond memory of their thrilling victory during the Regular Season - thanks in large to McClellan's heroics at the death. The American sank the game-winner against Rilski Sportist to finish with a game-high of 17 points along with 6 rebounds and 2 assists. 

Group C

Arged BMSLAM Stal SLAM

George Kell - SG / 1.93m / 1996 / USA

Statistics: 16.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.3 APG

Kell ensured Arged BMSLAM Stal would be heading into the Play-Offs with a perfect 3-0 record from the group phase with a team-high of 16.3 points along with 4.3 assists with consistent performances throughout. Chris Smith also shone, despite being limited to 6 minutes in the final game.

Ironi Ness Ziona IRNZI 

Tal Dunne - F / 1.98m / 1987 / ISR

Statistics: 13.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.3 APG

The influence of Dunne was key for Ironi Ness Ziona as the 33-year-old forward helped his side progress in the competition. Dunne contributed 15 points and 6 assists in both of their opening two wins in efficient displays with Patrick Miller also a standout performer for the team.

Szolnoki Olajbanyasz SZOL 

Marijan Cakarun - C / 2.03m / 1990 / CRO

Statistics: 15.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.0 APG

The Hungarian side were already out prior to picking up their first win on the final day, but exited the competition in style. Cakarun did a bit of everything with the Croatian center leading his team in assists having handed out 6 in two of the three games, whilst scoring 23 points against Ironi Ness Ziona.

Sporting CP SPOR

John Fields - F / 2.07m / 1988 / USA

Statistics: 10.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG

What could have been for Sporting. Any win would have been enough to advance from the group, despite opening with successive defeats. However, they fell to 0-3, and were left to feel the absence of Fields in the decisive clash with the American having averaged a double-double through the first two games. 

Group D

BC CSU Sibiu SIBIU 

Marquis Addison - SG / 1.93m / 1991 / USA

Statistics: 17.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.3 APG

Another efficient performer, Addison helped Sibiu advance to the Play-Offs with two wins from three in a difficult group. The American guard played 111 minutes across the three games with a 23-point haul coming in their only loss to Besiktas, whilst adding 5 steals to impact the game at both ends of the floor.

BC Balkan BALK

Bozhidar Avramov - PG / 1.98m / 1990 / BUL

Statistics: 15.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG

Clutch. Avramov delivered at crucial times for BC Balkan as they recovered from defeat in their first game to advance with back-to-back three-point wins. The Bulgarian guard connected with two huge threes late in their win over Oradea before holding his nerve with decisive free throws to knock out Besiktas, 24 hours later.

CSM CSU Oradea ORAD

Aaron Broussard - G / 1.92m / 1990 / USA

Statistics: 14.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.3 APG

The trustworthy all-round displays of Broussard were on show for the Romanians as they were left to sweat on their competition status on the final day. Broussard hit double figures in scoring in each of the three games with a best of 17 points in defeat to BC CSU Sibiu.

Besiktas ICRYPEX BESIK

Alperen Sengun - PF / 2.06m / 2002 / TUR

Statistics: 23.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.7 APG

Sengun starred with successive Top Performer honors, but will go no further in the competition as Besiktas were eliminated with two defeats in the Regular Season. The 18-year-old had a league-wide best efficiency rating of 28.0 and finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds in vain in the costly defeat to BC Balkan.


Group E

Fribourg Olympic FRIB

Arnaud Cotture - PF / 2.03m / 1995 / SUI

Statistics: 12.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.5 BPG

Fribourg were in need of a performance against Anwil on the final day of the Regular Season and they got it, led by Swiss forward Cotture. The 25-year-old stepped up with 17 points, 3 assists and 4 blocks in a 17-point success to lead his side through as the group winners.

BC Dnipro DNIPR

Issuf Sanon - SG / 1.94m / 1999 / UKR

Statistics: 12.0 PPG, 2.0 APG

The rising star always attracts plenty of attention and while BC Dnipro were far from convincing, Sanon helped his side through with 14 points in an opening win, whilst going a perfect 10-of-10 from the line across both games. Ukraine's young talent will have another opportunity to showcase his potential during the Play-Offs.

Anwil ANWI

Kyndall Dykes - SG / 1.92m / 1987 / USA

Statistics: 19.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG

The experienced American guard filled the stat-sheet for Anwil including 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in their opening win over BC Dnipro, which would prove enough to advance. Dykes also scored 21 points in their following defeat with Ivan Almeida also impressing for the Polish side.


Group F

BC Parma PARMA

Adas Juskevicius - PG / 1.94m / 1989 / LTU

Statistics: 14.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.0 APG

Highlighted as one of the '10 Players to Watch', the Lithuanian guard proved why with strong all-round performances to comfortably lead BC Parma through. Juskevicius scored 14 points in each outing, whilst handing out 7 assists in the table-topping win against Heroes Den Bosch.

Heroes Den Bosch HERDB

Thomas Van der Mars - C / 2.08m / 1990 / NED

Statistics: 20.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.0 APG

The Dutch center certainly made his mark on the competition with a dominant display on the opening day. Van der Mars poured in an early season-high of 30 points along with 9 rebounds and 4 assists in a vital win for Heroes Den Bosch as they would progress to the Round of 16.

Donar Groningen DONA

Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson - PG / 1.78m / 1991 / CAN

Statistics: 24.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.0 APG

Back in FIBA Europe Cup action - after spending last season at Kataja - the Canadian guard showcased his threat from the point guard position. Ogungbemi-Jackson led the competition in scoring with 24.0 points per game across two outings, but crucially came in two defeats as Donar Groningen bowed out. 

FIBA