Bango became the first Angolan-born player to win the EuroLeague
Tribute to the Champs: Jilson Bango
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Not even half a year ago, Jilson Bango was not even playing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, so the idea of celebrating winning the crown at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi was at best a far-off dream. Bango spent the first half of the season in the Spanish League with Casademont Zaragoza, only to be signed in early February by Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul when the team was struck by injuries to frontcourt players.
Even though Fenerbahce saw the 26-year-old Bango not just as a mid-season fill-in, but a long-term solution at center and accordingly signed him to a multi-year deal, it was a great relief for the team that it did not take Bango long to start showing that he could contribute. In only his third appearance, Bango gave Fenerbahce a first-half boost with 8 points and 5 rebounds in less than 10 minutes to pave the way for a 24-point road win at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. He followed it up a week later with 8 points in a season-high 16 minutes in a victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
Then, in the playoffs, with Nicolo Melli sidelined with an injury, Bango played his role to perfection in Game 3 in the French capital, collecting 6 points and 3 rebounds in less than 7 minutes to help Fener sweep Paris.
Though Bango did not play at the Final Four, he certainly knew how to celebrate Fenerbahce’s title. A mid-season signing turned into one of this campaign’s fairytale stories: Bango became the first Angolan-born player to win the EuroLeague crown.