Jaime Pradilla, a 20-year-old center for Valencia Basket, has made sure that his 7DAYS EuroCup debut won't be forgotten by making 13 of 13 shots he has taken in the season's first three games.
Who's Hot: Jaime Pradilla, Valencia
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Valencia Basket has not had the start it hoped for to the 2021-22 7DAYS Eurocup season. In its return to the competition after two seasons away, the four-time champs have a 1-2 record in Group B and have lost back-to-back games – a rare occurrence – as they head into a high-profile clash against Virtus Segafredo Bologna.
The team has been hit hard by the injuries in the early going of the season, with only seven players appearing in all three games so far.
However, that has helped produce several positive developments for the team, one of which is the play of its youngsters. One of them, Jaime Pradilla, has been making some EuroCup history through three games.
Pradilla, born in the same year as the competition he is playing in for the first time, has yet to miss a shot this season.
The 20-year old center has attempted 13 shots from the field in the first three games. He has made all 11 of his two-point shots and has knocked down both of his three-point tries. He has not been to the foul line yet to attempt any free throws.
It has made Pradilla an unprecedented 13-for-13 from all ranges, not only to start this EuroCup season but to start his EuroCup career!
Pradilla, who joined the club in the summer of 2020, made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut last season. In 17 appearances, including FIVE starts, he played 7.0 minutes on average, posting 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds. Pradilla never played more than 20 minutes in any game, he twice scored a season-best 7 points and made 3 field goals in a single game on two occasions.
Last season in the EuroLeague, the teenager made 52.9% of his two-point shots and went 2-for-5 from three-point range.
This season in the EuroCup, Pradilla has been hot and perfect. Still in limited action, though playing twice as many minutes as last season (14:24 mpg.), Pradilla is posting 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on 100% shooting.
Pradilla made his EuroCup debut in a Round 1 home win against Promithes Patras. In 17:18 minutes on the floor that night, he made all 5 of his two-point shots for 10 points and also pulled down 3 rebounds. He also fouled out with 5 minutes left in the game.
The following week, in a thrilling Round 2 road loss against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, Pradilla played 12:41 minutes, making 3 two-pointers and a triple. He finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Then last week, in a home loss against Gran Canaria, Pradilla was in the starting lineup for the first time this season. He ended up spending 13:13 on the floor. Again, he made 3 two-pointers and 1 three-pointer to finish with 9 points and 3 rebounds for the night.
Pradilla will try to continue his perfect shooting season when his team visits Virtus on Wednesday. And no matter when the time comes in which he misses a shot attempt in EuroCup action, Pradilla has already made sure that his hot start is one of the most-perfect debuts in competition history.