Between the opportunity to show off individually or the final line on the CV before retirement, more and more former NBA players are rubbing shoulders with the Euroleague (or EuroLeague). Nearly a third of the 2023/24 squad (32.9%) came through the North American league. Some, like the best scorer of the season, Baskonia fullback Markus Howard and his 68 games across the Atlantic with the Nuggets between 2020 and 2022, did not leave lasting memories. For others like Serge Ibaka, the Euroleague is a new experience after being notable players in the NBA. And they are far from experiencing identical journeys today in Europe.
They shine: Serge Ibaka lives again, Kendrick Nunn is reborn, Mike James shines
Of his 1,071 career games, including playoffs, Serge Ibaka is by far the richest CV among ex-NBAers. And if his end of career with the Clippers or the Bucks had the air of pre-retirement, his return to Europe turned into a rejuvenation. The Spanish interior regained a dissuasive interior role – 2nd rebounder and 3rd blocker – with Bayern Munich, while rediscovering offensive sensations since Serge Ibaka finished as the best Bavarian scorer of the season (12.6 points to 59.8 %).
Among the European players who passed through the NBA but returned to take on more responsibilities in the Euroleague, Nikola Mirotic has undoubtedly won, he who is once again among the best players on the continent (16.9 points, 18.9 evaluation) with Milan. Similar observation for Marco Belinelli, among the best shooters in Europe (38.2% at 3-points, 3rd highest total of shots scored by far) with Virtus Bologna. Some with more ephemeral passages like Jan Vesely (Barcelona), Mario Hezonja, Facundo Campazzo And Dzanan Musa (Real Madrid) or Milos Teodosic (Red Star Belgrade) are among the strongest players.
Unable to find a constant role in the NBA, some American players have established themselves as stars in Europe. Shane Larkin (Anadolou Efes, 256 NBA games) remains a dominant player individually (16.8 points, 5.1 assists) but in an Istanbul team struggling this season and absent from the playoffs. Runner-up to Ja Morant for the title of rookie of the year in 2020, Kendrick Nunn has fun with Panathinaikos (15.1 points), second in the regular season.
Great friend of Kevin Durant, Mike James signed an MVP caliber season (18.7 points at 38% at 3-points, 5.1 assists) with the best evaluation in the Euroleague (20.1) with Monaco, still a serious outsider for the title. The leader became the best scorer in Euroleague history.
They do the job: Jabari Parker and Willy Hernangomez jokers from Barça
Fourth after 34 days, FC Barcelona also relies on a spine largely stamped by the NBA. But diluting responsibilities makes it difficult to put yourself forward individually. Eternal joker in the United States, the Spanish pivot Willy Hernangomez remained in an effective luxury sixth man role in short sequences (11.1 points in 16 minutes).
On the relaunch at Barça, Jabari Parker (10.3 points) has blended in well in Catalonia without establishing itself as an indisputable holder. But it has just been extended, proof that it meets the expectations of the Catalans. A status from which the Czech benefits Tomas Satoranskysix NBA seasons, but visibly more fulfilled in Spain.
Shabazz Napier (345 NBA games) moved between Red Star Belgrade before returning to his former club Milan mid-season. In Italy, the former double NCAA champion, still 11.6 points with the Wizards in 2020, the leader was unable to reproduce his good previous season (10.9 pts but at 36.1% shooting, 4.1 assists versus 15 points and 3.9 assists). With ASVEL, penultimate of the season, Mike Scott (555 NBA games) remained in his elusive but also inconstant interior profile.
They disappoint: Kemba Walker without impact
Flagship recruit of last summer in Monaco, Kemba Walker is far, far from the level that made him a four-time NBA All-Star. The former Hornets star is only a rotation player for the Roca Team (4.4 points in 11 minutes), only reaching ten points in three games this season. By his own admission, he plays a veteran role, almost more important around the field than on the floor. “ If we win, I can't complain, I just try to do what I can to help my team » he explained recently at RMC.
If Frank Kaminsky still brings his shooting quality for a big man (40.6%), he sometimes seemed overwhelmed physically and athletically, failing to win against Partizan Belgrade (8.9 points in 17 minutes). Respected third leader in recent seasons at Jazz, the Wizards or the Cavaliers, Raul Neto and his 435 NBA games remained on the flank all season, victim of a ruptured patella tendon with the Brazilian selection during the last World Cup .
As for Ricky Rubio, his statistical production (5.3 points at 30%, 4 assists, 2 lost balls) is not up to the standard of his career or his pedigree. But the main thing is elsewhere for the Spanish leader, back in action with FC Barcelona after very difficult months focusing on his mental health.
