When it was announced shortly before Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz's Round 1 game against Valencia Basket that star center Steven Enoch would not be available due to a sprained ankle, suddenly bigger importance was placed on Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debutant Maik Kotsar. Yet, the Estonian big man reveled in the spotlight and delivered 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block in Baskonia's 81-71 victory at La Fonteta.
Kotsar made a good impression with Hamburg Towers in the 7DAYS EuroCup last season, averaging 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 16 appearances, and he has now hit the ground running with Baskonia in the EuroLeague, finishing as the game's leading scorer while also recording the highest PIR with 31. His remarkable night comes off the back of a good showing with Estonia at EuroBasket 2022, too.