Tribute to the Champs: Mam Jaiteh

Mam Jaiteh will never forget the 2021-22 season, in which he led Virtus Segafredo Bologna to its first 7DAYS EuroCup title as the competition's MVP!

When Jaiteh first arrived in Bologna, the club had him penciled in for a different role but Ekpe Udoh's season-ending injury led to him seeing more playing time and that brought out his best basketball. Jaiteh averaged 12.8 points on 69.1% two-point shooting plus 7.6 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. His average performance index rating of 17.8 was the fifth-best in the competition. Jaiteh was Virtus's top scorer and rebounder, while his two-point shooting and rebounding ranked eighth and third, respectively, among all EuroCup players for the season. He was second in the competition in PIR on a per-minute basis, averaging 32.2 prorated over 40 minutes.

He delivered in the most important games, too. Jaiteh made 9 of 10 shots for 20 points and a PIR of 18 in an eighthfinals victory over Lietkabelis Panevezys. Next, he exploded for 27 points on 12-for-16 shooting and 11 rebounds in recording a PIR of 38 to beat ratiophram Ulm in the quarterfinals. It was the highest PIR in a quarterfinals game since 2014. Despite being slowed down by foul trouble, Jaiteh still helped his team in the semifinals against Valencia Basket with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block.

Then in the championship game against Frutti Extra Bursaspor, Jaiteh led all rebounders with 10 boards to help Virtus outrebound Bursaspor 44-30, in what was one of the biggest keys to the game. Jaiteh added 13 points for a double-double, his fifth this season. Virtus was able to celebrate the EuroCup title in front of its fans and everyone in Bologna understands that it would not have been possible without Jaiteh's outstanding performances at both ends of the floor, all season long!