Stats review: Early individual standouts on the offensive end

Several players have enjoyed a red-hot start to the 2024-25 EuroCup season

Through six rounds of the BKT EuroCup, just three players have already amassed 100 points as balance tends to rule the day at this level. Due to the way teams lean on execution to pick opposing defenses apart as they spread the ball around, efficiency is often a good gauge of a player’s individual contributions within their respective roles.

The table above lists the most efficient offensive players in the EuroCup this season in points scored per possession among the 73 players who have used over 10 possessions per game in the early going. What stands out at first glance is how eclectic this group is, including the league’s highest usage player, one of its youngest contributors, and several guards to go along with the big men imposing their will on the interior.

Tre’Shawn Thurman had a good year with Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius last season, but he is having a great year so far having got off to a very hot start from the perimeter. After a trio of losses to begin the year, Wolves have rattled off three wins to set up an important test against Dreamland Gran Canaria in Spain. Thurman’s value as a spot-up shooter and a pick-and-pop weapon has been the backbone of his team’s quick offensive turnaround.

Semi Ojeleye and Matt Costello are established veterans whose shooting from the frontcourt spots has helped Valencia Basket put up over 100 points in each of their last four games. Having the luxury of starting one and bringing the other off the bench speaks to the superior depth of Pedro Martinez’s team and makes the Spanish club’s unbeaten start less than surprising.

Jordan Ford has come off the bench hot for Dolomiti Energia Trento in several games already this season and his ability to stop and pop both from beyond the arc and in midrange spots has made him a headache for opposing defenses in pick and rolls.

Mfiondu Kabengele of Umana Reyer Venice is a physical presence inside with his strength and length, but his motor has been a factor in his production early on as he ranks second in the EuroCup in dunks while leading all players in both rebounds per game and rebound percentage.

Marko Pecarski emerged as one of the most skilled teenagers in Europe early in his career but is having the best season of his career offensively with 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, hitting a stride as an inside-outside threat. Finishing cuts and put backs at a spectacular rate but making set shots steadily from beyond the arc as well, his scoring touch has translated in a variety of ways.

Bahcesehir College Istanbul has looked like a potential contender through the early part of the season and the shooting of Axel Bouteille has played an important role in that. Leading all players in spot-up scoring, Bouteille’s ability to drain open shots is valuable, but the way he can get his shot off quickly over closeouts has been a plus for his team offensively.

Alfonso Plummer has been a flamethrower since his teens and that has translated both off the catch and off the dribble to start the year with ratiopharm Ulm. While he is aggressive looking for his own shot, his contributions as a secondary ball handler have been a nice complement to what he provides as a spot-up shooter.

Noa Essengue is one of two 17-year-olds getting minutes in the EuroCup this season. Ranking second in transition scoring and dunks while ranking fourth in free throw attempts per-40 minutes, he has found ways to be productive and efficient despite only scratching the surface of the player he could become long-term.

Jared Harper looks like a different player this season for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem while leading the EuroCup in usage. Carrying a reputation as a dangerous scoring guard who can create his own shot and make jumpers with range, the 27-year-old has gotten to the line a staggering 15.6 times per 40 minutes while ranking among the league’s most reliable free-throw shooters. He’s added a significant dimension to his game with his aggressiveness, seeking out contact while still knocking down shots and creating for others steadily.

While 12 games remaining in the regular season, it will be interesting to see which players translate their early success over the rest of the campaign.