The table above lists the top pick-and-roll weapons in the EuroCup referencing their score-pass balance, overall point production, and the points per possession they have created in pick-and-roll situations this season. It provides a somewhat interesting glimpse into not only who has excelled this season, but what they excel at. It also paints a pretty clear picture of which teams are getting the most out of their playmakers as three pairs of teammates appear in the top 10 above.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana notched its first win of the season in Round 7, but Yogi Ferrell's assertiveness in creating points off of pick-and-rolls has been a bright spot all season and is a big reason that his team is one of just four to average more than 1.0 point per possession overall. Not only has his quickness given opposing teams headaches, but Ferrell has tried to get pretty ambitious with his passing at times – often to great effect, as his sterling efficiency suggests.
Besides Ferrell, Joe Young of Promitheas Patras is the only other player scoring in double-figures while looking for his own shot in pick-and-rolls this season. He may not be the most productive passer on this list, but he's posted gaudy scoring numbers in terms of both production and efficiency. His ability to stop and pop or make short-range jumpers forces defenses to pick their poison.
Quickly rising through the ranks of European hoops, Kendale McCullum is still learning how to pick and choose his spots at this level which makes his production as a passer stand out. He and Ziga Samar have both served as x-factors for Veolia Towers Hamburg at points this season.
Known primarily for his scoring ability early in his career, J'Covan Brown of Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv has come a long way as a facilitator over his 11 seasons as a pro. Teenager Juan Nunez of ratiopharm Ulm is coming from the other end of the spectrum, posting the highest pass-score ratio of any player on the list just eclipsing his countryman, Ferran Bassas of Gran Canaria. While he has room to mature as a decision-maker and improve as a shooter, his natural passing talent is obvious.
No single playmaking style dominates the discourse in the EuroCup as aggressive scorers like Kyle Allman of Joventut Badalone, probing passers like Josh Adams of Cedevita, and balanced playmakers like Yago Dos Santos of Ulm have all put up numbers steadily this season. With pick-and-roll efficiency down overall, such solid guard play can be more of a differentiator than it has been in recent years – no matter how one defines it.
Looking Ahead
The standings got really crowded in Round 7. With four teams at 5-2 in Group B, the scheduling quirk that has top-ranked Buducnost VOLI Podgorica playing second-ranked Gran Canaria and third-ranked Turk Telekom Ankara in back-to-back weeks will provide some much needed clarity in the pecking order of contenders as we head into the second half of the season.
