League Lookout: Energa Basket Liga/PLK Poland 22/23

Image: fot.rose/Róża Koźlikowska

A Race Wide Open

There are few domestic leagues in Europe with a higher degree of parity than PLK Poland, making it extremely hard to deliver valid predictions. Before the 22/23 campaign gets underway this Thursday, we are taking a look at the Polish clubs' most intriguing summer signings. 

Anwil Wloclawek

Last year's semi-finalists opted for experience when it comes to their acquisitions. Shooting guard Phil Greene, small forward Josh Bostic and Croatian big Josip Sobin are all around or over 30. The x factor might be Estonian combo forward Janasi Joesaar. He is a terrific rebounder, provides reliable outside shooting but does not create much. 

Suzuki Arka Gdynia

Talented Serbian PG Novak Music will share playmaking duties with grizzled veteran James Florence from now on. Shooting guard Jordan Harris brings NBA athleticism and a deadly transition game from BBL Great Britain but will have to adapt to a much higher level of competition. He has also improved as a ballhandler during his rookie season but still needs to steady his outside shooting. Strong and athletic combo forward Trey Wade is a matchup nightmare who can both face up or go to work in the post. 

Astoria Bydgoszcz

New PG Mike Smith is built like a running back and can get to the rim. The former Michigan and Columbia star averaged 19 ppg and 5.5 apg in NBL New Zealand this summer. Center Nick Muszynski is a lefty old school big with a high basketball IQ who makes free throws at a fairly high rate, can finish with either hand and might have floor spacing upside. If he does, PF/C Nathan Cayo should complement him well with his mobility and athleticism. He is very active inside but a liability from the charity stripe and a non-shooter at this stage. 

Czarni Slupsk

Last season's surprise team is facing a full rebuild. Point guard Diante Watkins haunted TBL Turkey defenses for the past three years and likely will do the same to PLK opposition. He has come a long way from playing for 600 Euros in 3rd league Germany at the beginning of his pro career. Slashing SG Zack Bryant, who can create from iso settings, and stretch PF David DiLeo seem to be great gets for the level. 

GTK Gliwice

After narrowly escaping relegation in 21/22, GTK made all the headlines this summer by inking 2017 OKC Thunder 1st round pick Terrance Ferguson. The former NBA wing (214 games) is still only 25, but recent performances call for some caution with the fanfares. PF/C Kamari Murphy, on the other hand, is a known commodity who will bring rebounding and efficient interior scoring. 

King Szczecin

It will be interesting to see if uber-athletic wing James Eads can take his game to the next level. If he manages to up his three-point percentage to around 35%, he could turn into a premier 3-and-D profile. Stretch 4 Zac Cuthbertson and rim running 5 man Phil Fayne add to the athleticism department but are both not known for their passing prowess. 

Sokol Lancut

PF Raynere Thornton quietly had a decent 21/22 in Romania, averaging 10/6 on 57/42 shooting. Shooting guard Lee Moore is only one year removed from averaging 18/6/6 in PLK and is known for big scoring outbursts and the occasional erratic performance at the same time. Wing Delano Spencer has slowly but steadily climbed the ladder when it comes to Eastern European competitions. 

Legia Warszawa

Legia are playing the experience card, as well. On their day, the trio of Devyn Marble, Travis Leslie and Ray McCallum will prove too much to handle for any PLK defense. They can all go of for 25 on any given day. But they also might take the occasional play off at the defensive end. Veteran bigs Janis Berzins (stretch) and Geoffrey Groselle (inside) round out the lineup. 

MKS Dabrowa Gornicza

MKS will be our PLK league pass team of choice for 22/23. A backcourt of Alonzo Verge and Joe Chealey might at times require an extra Molten but will certainly not disappoint in the entertainment department. Verge ran away with the inofficial "most fun to watch" trophy at this year's PIT. Trevon Bluiett can fill it up from the wing and Estonian traditional big Matthias Tass is back in Europe after a storied NCAA I career at Saint Mary's. 

Slask Wroclaw

The late-October acquisition of Travis Trice turned tables in Slask's favour in 21/22 with the flashy Michigan State star to the PLK title while winning every individual accolade imaginable. Trice is in Murcia now, but if preseason outings are an indication, Jeremiah Martin might pick up right where he left off. The Memphis alum can play both guard spots while scoring, passing and defending well in the process. Polish combo forward Jakub Niziol has looked sharp in friendlies, as well, and is a good athlete who runs the floor very well. PF Conor Morgan will have to make the transition from ACB stretch specialist to a larger role. Well-rounded swingman Justin Bibbs is basically a new signing since he missed all but four games of 21/22 with an Achilles injury. 

Spojnia Stargard

New Head Coach Sebastian Machowski bagged a couple of signings on his summer trip to Las Vegas. Sharpshooting guard Jordan Mathews (the older brother of Anwil revelation Jonah Mathews) missed all of last season due to injury and might have to shake off some competitive rust, but shooters won't forget how to make shots. Scoring combo Isiah Brown averaged 22 ppg in Cyprus. PF Brody Clarke is not flashy by any means, but gets the job done. 

BM Stal Ostrow

After some reported internal disturbances last season, Stal seem to have left the "upside rookie" path for a more traditional roster approach. Bigs Nemanja Djurisic and Ojars Silins plus guard Aigars Skele are Euro vets who understand the game. Playmaker Quentin Snider has dominated the Cypriote league for the past two campaigns. He is a competent decision-maker who rarely turns the ball over despite being a primary creator but his scoring might not fully translate to this higher level. Wing forward Adonis Thomas remains one of the more mercurial characters in international basketball - on a good day, his sheer talent and body advantages turn him into an absolute matchup nightmare. On a bad day, he will fancy himself a point forward and attempt one questionable step-back jumper after the other. 

Start Lublin

Sherron Dorsey-Walker remains one of the more underappreciated players in Europe. He brings solid size, is sneakily athletic and can man positions 1/2/3. Klavs Cavars was one of the PLK's top shotblockers and offensive rebounders in 21/22. By tabbing Estonian big Kregor Hermet, Start follow the league-wide trend towards a more Euro-centric roster outlook. 

Trefl Sopot

Former Nebraska combo Glynn Watson is coming off a 20/6/7 season in Iceland. He is quick and long, but also quite skinny. Colorado alum Wesley Gordon provides rebounding and rim protection. He just finished a tremendously successful stint with Körmend in Hungary. 

Twarde Pierniki Torun

If Jordan Burns (pictured above) turns out to be the steal of the signing period, remember that you read it here first. Despite his first European experience in Bulgaria not having been a very successful one, the former Colgate star brings all the tools to make it as a scoring PG. Quick first and second step, above-average vision, outside shooting - it is all there. And big numbers in preseason games already hinted at things to come. Former 22 ppg NCAA I scorer Marcus Burk and Ohio State backup 5 man Joey Bunk are the other US imports Torun was willing to bet on. Serbian stretch big Stefan Kenic brings a European element while having played NCAA I basketball, as well. 

Enea Zastal Zielona Gora

Dusan Kutlesic, a 6'6'' backcourt allrounder who has spent most of his career in his native Serbia and averaged 19/6/4/2 in ABA II in 21/22, has looked excellent in preseason. Former Memphis swingman Kareem Brewton is an athletic transition threat. In the frontcourt, Serbian HC Oliver Vidin is relying heavily on the Balkan factor with Montenegrin Alen Hadzibegovic and his Serbian compatriote Aleksandar Zecevic.