Eight players to look out for in the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers
MUNICH (Germany) - There are new teams and new players to look out for as the 2021-22 FIBA Europe Cup season gets underway this week.
We pick out some players to watch during the Qualifiers as they look to make the difference to help their teams advance to the Regular Season.
FRANK BARTLEY - Ironi Ness Ziona
POINT GUARD
Birth date: February 25, 1994 (27 years old)
Height: 191cm / 6'3"
Nationality: USA
Bartley already has a taste of European action this season, having represented Bakken Bears in the Basketball Champions League Qualifiers. The American top scored with a team-high 19 points in Treviso and has since joined a new-look roster of the reigning FIBA Europe Cup champions.
AARON BROUSSARD - Benfica
SHOOTING GUARD
Birth date: April 14, 1990 (31 years old)
Height: 192cm / 6'4"
Nationality: USA
New season, new colors for Broussard. The experienced guard swaps Romania for Portugal having spent the past two seasons playing for CSM CSU Oradea. Broussard helped the club reach the Final Four of last season's FIBA Europe Cup with all-round averages of 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game and now brings that versatility to Benfica.
TONEY DOUGLAS - Iraklis BC
SHOOTING GUARD
Birth date: March 16, 1986 (35 years old)
Height: 189cm / 6'2"
Nationality: USA
A former first-round NBA Draft pick, Douglas was taken by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009, but would start his eight-year career in the league at New York Knicks before making the move to Europe. Douglas averaged just shy of 15 points per game in Italy's top flight last season and now brings experience in abundance to help bolster Iraklis BC's qualification venture.
CHARLON KLOOF - FC Porto
POINT GUARD
Birth date: March 20, 1990 (31 years old)
Height: 185cm / 6'1"
Nationality: NED
Kloof stood out for the Netherlands during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers including a 27-point haul to inspire an impressive win in Turkey. The 31-year-old has experience of playing in European competitions, but is set to make his FIBA Europe Cup debut, while international teammate Yannick Franke is also playing overseas with debutants Trefl Sopot.
AUSTIN LUKE - Donar Groningen
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POINT GUARD
Birth date: October 27, 1994 (26 years old)
Height: 194cm / 6'4"
Nationality: USA
Luke made a name for himself in the Netherlands last season after an incredible 52-point performance led Yoast United to the DBL Cup Final in their debut season. The 26-year-old playmaker also led the league with 9.7 assists per game; catching the eye of Donar Groningen, who made the summer signing to be the orchestrator of their offense.
ISSUF SANON - BC Dnipro
SHOOTING GUARD
Birth date: October 30, 1999 (21 years old)
Height: 194cm / 6'5"
Nationality: UKR
Sanon is no stranger to this level as he is set for his third consecutive season playing FIBA Europe Cup with BC Dnipro, whilst representing Ukraine at senior level. The 21-year-old was a second-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and has averaged 11+ points per game in each of the last two years with the aim of pushing on with his development in the upcoming campaign.
ANDREAS SEIFERTH - medi Bayreuth
CENTER
Birth date: June 23, 1989 (32 years old)
Height: 209cm / 6'10"
Nationality: GER
An experienced German international who has been with medi Bayreuth since 2015. Seiferth gives the team a reliable presence inside and will have American Terry Allen as a partner in the front-court, following two years playing elsewhere in Germany. Seiferth has been part of the club's European campaigns in recent years; averaging 11.2 points per game in the 2019-20 FIBA Europe Cup season.
GREGORY VARGAS - Hapoel Haifa
POINT GUARD
Birth date: February 18, 1986 (35 years old)
Height: 180cm / 5'11"
Nationality: VEN
Venezuelan guard Vargas brings a ton of experience having recently added to his long, dedicated service to his country at the FIBA Olympic Basketball Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania. The 35-year-old returns to Israel this season having had multiple spells at Maccabi Haifa previously and will look to help guide his new team through these Qualifiers.
FIBA