Two of the best combo guards in the competition are set to face each other again when FC Barcelona takes on Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 1.
Marquee matchup: Barca's Laprovittola vs. Olympiacos's Walkup
Nicolas Laprovittola was Barca's X factor last season, regularly making the difference with his off-the-charts basketball IQ, unlimited range and determination. Laprovittola set new career highs of 9.6 points, 3.1 assists and 9.8 performance index rating last season while hitting 44.0% of his shots from downtown, sixth-best in the league. At 32, Laprovittola is in his prime, a solid combo guard who is making the most of his passing and scoring abilities.
Laprovittola won’t have it easy against Thomas Walkup of Olympiacos, one of the EuroLeague’s best on-ball defenders. Walkup limited Laprovittola to just 4.7 points in the three games between them last season. An athletic guard with quick legs, experience and a great work ethic, Walkup is set to give the Barca guards trouble on both ends of the floor, as he can also attack the rim with great authority and find open teammates.