One of the three players who started every EuroCup game for Paris had a unique role on the title team.
Tribute to the champs: Leon Kratzer
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Unlike many of his Paris Basketball teammates, big man Leon Kratzer was not technically a rookie in the BKT EuroCup before winning the title this season. He may have played in just three previous EuroCup games five seasons earlier with Frankfurt Skyliners, but Kratzer's potential showed then. At just 21 years old, he posted a double-double in his team's final game against eventual 2018-19 semifinalist UNICS Kazan.
Flash forward to his EuroCup return with Paris this season, and Kratzer was everything a team full of go-go scorers could want from their anchor in the paint. He was the team's leading rebounder and one of top players on the offensive glass in the entire EuroCup, which is saying something since Paris didn't miss much and Kratzer played less than 17 minutes per game.
Kratzer is one of six players who had played for head coach Tuomas Iisalo before arriving in Paris, and the trust that he inspired in his boss was clear. Kratzer started all 23 games at center for Paris, averaging 5.4 points on 67.9% two-point shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and a PIR of 8.1. His 2.1 offensive rebounds per game ranked 13th overall, but on a per-minute basis (5.1) he was tied for sixth.
Kratzer was solid under the boards when it mattered most, averaging 6.5 rebounds in the semifinals against London Lions and 5.0 points in the finals against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse. The man in the middle got the job done!