Уочи почетка нове сезове Еврокупа, јуче је објављена листа најозбиљнијих потенцијалних кандидата за овогидшњег MVP-ја овог такмичења. Међу њима се налази и наш Артјом Параховски.
Ево списка свих кандидата:
10. Alen Omic, Joventut Badalona
An All-EuroCup First Team selection in the 2015-16 season and a EuroCup champion with Unicaja Malaga a year later, Omic is, along with Nikos Zisis, the most experienced player on Joventut this season. Omic uses his size and post skills to be a dominant force in the paint and is an outstanding offensive rebounder. His heart, passion and determination are beyond question. This season, Omic will play a leading role for the first time in a while. That could lead to better numbers and of course, help Joventut get closer to its glory days in the EuroCup.
9. Rasid Mahalbasic, EWE Baskets Oldenburg
Back to the EuroCup for the first time since 2016, Mahalbasic is now 28, more mature and entering the prime of his career. First and foremost, Mahalbasic has become one of the best passing big men in Europe, getting several triple doubles in the German League. He added that new weapon without losing what made him great in the first place: effective mid-range jumpers, great rebounding skills and an outstanding set of low-post moves, highlighted by his signature jump hook. Mahalbasic is set to be one of the best centers in the EuroCup, and if he leads Oldenburg to a good season, the sky is the limit.
8. Joe Ragland, Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul
Ragland has been one of the most resilient and consistent point guards in the EuroCup's recent history, and though he starts this season injured, he is sure to reprise that role soon. An undersized left-handed playmaker with great driving skills, Ragland brings three seasons of EuroCup experience. He made it to the EuroCup Finals with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar two seasons back, but could not go past the Top 16 with Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade last season. He will be hungrier than ever to try to lead Darussafaka to a good season, as close as possible to winning the club's second EuroCup title.
7. Jaime Fernandez, Unicaja Malaga.
As usual, former champ Unicaja will be one of the top candidates to win the EuroCup. It has a deep roster with many talented players, but Fernandez should be the difference-maker. Any improvement in his already-strong playing level will turn Unicaja into a top contender. His quickness, ballhandling and great driving skills allow him to be determinant. He also has unlimited shooting range and has learned to pass the ball better over the years, becoming an elite combo guard. After an injury-troubled season, it is time for Fernandez to fulfil his potential and become a EuroCup superstar.
6. Martynas Echodas, Rytas Vilnius.
Last year's EuroCup Rising Star stayed in Vilnius to get more responsibility this season. Echodas, a 2.04-meter center, averaged 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18 EuroCup games last season. He hit 62.6% of his two-point shots, ranking 17th overall. He is a mobile big man who runs the floor really well for a player his size, finishing strong in the paint. Rytas is fully aware of his potential and designed its roster accordingly, making him the team's first frontcourt option. At age 22, Echodas must keep developing but he already has what it makes to be a dominant force in the EuroCup.
5. Art Parakhouski, Partizan NIS Belgrade
He comes off a great season with Rytas Vilnius. He led the Top 16 in performance index rating (21.2 PIR), was second in scoring (15 ppg.) and third in rebounds (8.7 rpg.). Parakhouski hit a buzzer-beating game-winning shot against Partizan in Top 16 Round 5 that eliminated the Serbian powerhouse from the competition. He helped Rytas reach the EuroCup Playoffs and win the Lithuanian Cup title, earning finals MVP honors. An old-school, back-to-the-basket center, Parakhouski can also hit shots from the high post, rebounds really well at both ends and blocks a lot of shots. Expect him to dominate again, this time wearing Partizan's jersey.
4. Dylan Ennis, AS Monaco
Ennis made it to the All-EuroCup Second Team last season and led MoraBanc Andorra all the way to the EuroCup Semifinals. It was his first season in the competition, but Ennis managed to average 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 21 games. He did particularily well in the quarterfinals against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4.7 assists. A warrior with great driving skills, all Ennis needs to do to become a bigger threat is to improve his shot selection. If he does, he has the leadership, charisma and all-around skills to lead Monaco to a very special season.
3. Sam Dekker, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar
As every season, Lokomotiv has several players – Mantas Kalnietis, Johnny O'Bryant, Alan Williams – who could lead the team, but Dekker stands out due to his versatility and athleticism. Able to play at both forward spots, Dekker is a very reliable three-point shooter but can also take smaller defenders to the low post for easy baskets in the paint. He plays with a lot of energy and reads defenses really well, getting open shots very easily. Those decision-making skills could turn him into Lokomotiv's leader in the upcoming season.
2. Errick McCollum, UNICS Kazan
The only player in this list who has been named EuroCup MVP before, in the 2015-16 season, McCollum is a terrific scorer, with unlimited range, able to create a shot out of nowhere due to his ballhandling and quick legs. Even when scoring is what he does best, McCollum has learned to do other things throughout the years – in particular play better defense and find the open teammate when double-teamed. At age 31, McCollum is in the prime of his career, on a team that knows how to be successful in the EuroCup. McCollum will be ready to keep filling the baskets and pointing UNICS in the direction of a EuroCup title.
1. Milos Teodosic, Segafredo Virtus Bologna
Teodosic is back in the EuroCup for the first time since 2007. In the interim, he became one of the best point guards in the world, winning a EuroLeague title with CSKA and being chosen to the All-EuroLeague teams six times throughout his career. He was voted the EuroLeague MVP in 2010, as well. Teodosic is arguably the most creative point guard in the world, with unbelievable assists that are second to none. He can hit outside shots with great effectiveness, has a lot of experience, and polished his leadership skills the hard way. A basketball genius is back in the EuroCup, and if he plays at his usual level, "Teo" has no limits.