New Kids at the Top

Image: imago images / PanoramiC

The 2022/2023 Euroleague Rookie Class

Per public opinion and recent records, first-year Euroleague players tend to struggle in the world's second-best basketball league. However, this season, quite a few “rookies” have not taken long to adapt. Let's take a look at the fates of Euroleague newcomers 27 and younger so far. 

INSTANT STARDOM

Johnathan Motley - Big - Fenerbahce

According to 3StepsBasket's metrics, the former Lokomotiv Kuban star is the best performer in the Euroleague, period. Boasting a ridiculous plus/minus of +10.3, his influence on Fener's terrific start can not be underestimated. He is currently averaging 14.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg, plus dishing out a terrific two dimes per game. Very efficient both in the post (1.6 PPP) and as a roll man (1.45 PPP), in particular in short roll situations where he can capitalize on his passing abilities. 

Markus Howard - Guard - Baskonia (pictured above)

The numbers are unbelievable: 19 ppg in only 21 mpg on 56/46/77 shooting splits. The 46% on almost 4 made triples per game are especially mind-blowing given the ridiculous degree of difficulty on many of his attempts. These percentages will most likely drop a bit - they have to, right!?! - but so far, the efficiency has been there with 1.3 PPP in PnR ballhandling and 1.42 PPP coming off screens. Even the defensive numbers look better than expected. 

Darius Thompson - Guard - Baskonia 

Somewhat overshadowed by the spectacular heroics of his teammate Howard, Thompson, a tall and athletic PG, currently ranks 2nd in assists with 7.5 and top 10 in steals with almost two. Scoring 12 ppg on 48/55 shooting, he is finding a great balance between distributing the ball to Baskonia's countless weapons and taking over as a bucket getter himself. 

Dzanan Musa - Guard/Wing - Real Madrid

While technically, Musa is not a true EL rookie due to having appeared in a few games with Cedevita and Anadolu Efes earlier during his career, it is the first time that he is entrusted with a major role. And he has responded to the call: 14 ppg on 70/43/85 shooting while being a primary option on one of the competition's top favourites right from the get-go certainly proves his quality. 

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Bonzie Colson - Wing/Big - Maccabi

The versatile bruising forward is a good fit for Maccabi's up-and-down style. He is averaging 10 ppg, more than 20% of which come in transition (1.636 PPG). He also ranks sixth in blocks in the competition. 

Maik Kotsar - Big - Baskonia

His game might not always be aesthetically pleasing, but it is definitely efficient. 1.636 PPP on post-ups (1st in EL), 1.33 PPP as a roll man, 77% from the field are impressive numbers for the former Hamburg Tower. 

Ignas Brazdeikis - Wing/Guard - Zalgiris (pictured above)

While his offense is not always efficient and he is struggling from the perimeter (below 20% so far), his PnR and iso creation (more than 30% of his possessions) are very important for a Zalgiris' team short on creators. 

Kevarrius Hayes - Big - Zalgiris

His numbers might seem pedestrian with 6.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg, but the former Bursaspor hero is the EL's 2nd best offensive rebounder (3.5) and provides rim protection and switchability on defense. 

Cassius Winston - Guard - FC Bayern

Defensive shortcomings land the former Michigan State Spartan in Coach Trinchieri's doghouse now and then, but he seems to be finding his groove on offense: 13/2/3 on 49/38/90 shooting with 1.06 PPP PnR Ballhandling (almost 50% of possessions). He also speeds up Bayern’s otherwise slowish offense (17% transition possessions, 1.53 PPP).

Gabriele Procida - Wing - ALBA Berlin

The Italian youngster has taken the hearts of ALBA faithfuls by storm with his high-flying antics in transition (26% of his possessions). He has been surprisingly efficient in other areas, as well: 9 ppg on 53/39 shooting and 1.17 PPP in PnR Ballhandling action, plus a positive net rating.

Yannick Wetzell - Big - ALBA Berlin

His Euroleague debut has been solid overall but there is room for improvement: He is shooting 44% from the field (mainly on long two-pointers) and he is a non-passer so far (1 total assist), which does not bode too well for ALBA's ball movement-based offense. 

Petr Cornelie - Big - Real Madrid

Cornelie has stepped right in as a stretch big role player. The sample size is still small but he currently boasts PPP averages of 1.56 overall and 2.08 as a spot-up shooter. 

Kyle Alexander - Big - Valencia

The Canadian is quickly making a name for himself as an efficient lob target (1.6 PPP as a roll man) and dunker spot cutter (1.3 PPP). He is currently averaging 7 ppg, connecting on 71% of his attempts. 

Jared Harper - Guard - Valencia

Still struggling from beyond the arc, Harper has still had an occasional impact with 8 ppg and 3.4 apg in 14 mpg. His lightning-quick first step is tough to contain even for Euroleague level defenses. 

Carsen Edwards - Guard - Fenerbahce

A bit of a “victim” of Fener's loaded roster and successful start, playing time has been hard to come by for the former Purdue scorer. But a 19-in-24 outburst against ASVEL hinted at potential things to come. 
 

Jonah Mathews - Guard - ASVEL (pictured above)

Coming from the Polish PLK, the slender combo struggled with the Euroleague's physicality in the beginning. But 14.5 ppg over two recent wins versus Virtus and Baskonia prove that his adaptation process is making progress. 

Retin Obasohan - Guard - ASVEL

The physical guard has fulfilled expectations so far and is a major transition threat for ASVEL. A recent 13/4/5/2 outing versus Baskonia serves as proof for his versatility and for his ability to contribute at this level. 

Isaiah Cordinier - Wing - Virtus Bologna

Not one of the main options on offense, but a versatile defender who can wow the crowd with the occasional highlight in the open court. 

Daulton Hommes - Wing - Baskonia

Sharpshooting wing who has shot the ball efficiently from three so far (39% on the season). 

EARLY STRUGGLES

Parker Jackson-Cartwright - Guard - ASVEL

Getting hurt at the start of the biggest season of his career surely did not help. So far, he looks overmatched at the EL level, on both ends of the floor. His lack of size makes him a target on defense, in particular. But he has picked things up in Pro A France recently so maybe he will be able to adjust to the Euroleague, as well. 

Jonah Radebaugh - Guard - Valencia

While providing his consummate hustle at the defensive end, he has been worryingly inefficient on offense so far, contributing only 5 ppg in over 20 minutes per game on 31% shooting from both two- and three-point range. 

Freddie Gillespie - Big - FC Bayern

His first European experience has been a difficult one so far for the former Baylor Bear. On defense, he alternates between impactful sequences as a rim protector and mental lapses. On offense, he is currently only making 40% of his shots despite all his attempts coming in close proximity of the rim.