Javier Gancedo ranks his favorites to become the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup MVP
Top 10 BKT EuroCup MVP candidates
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The 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season is upon us, so it is time to take a look at the best players in the competition. There is once again a lot of talent in the competition, whether they be newcomers or returning stars. I expect that some players will surprise fans by taking advantage of the opportunity to play at a higher level. Here is my preseason EuroCup MVP ranking, which naturally is topped by Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. Harper is the competition's reigning MVP and all eyes will be on him from the opening tip!
10. Issuf Sanon, Slask Wroclaw
Back in the competition after a year away, Issuf Sanon comes off an outstanding season in Latvia, where he used his all-around game to lead VEF Riga to a domestic triple crown, while earning himself MVP honors. If Sanon replicates the types of performances he put together last season, it will mean a big step in his career. And if that leads Slask to victories, Sanon will enter the conversation for EuroCup MVP honors.
9. Jonah Mathews, Besiktas GAIN Istanbul
At age 27, Jonah Mathews is at the prime of his career and brings significant EuroCup experience to the table. Over the past two seasons, he’s played 40 EuroCup games for Besiktas, averaging 15.1 points and 2.6 assists. His contributions were key in helping the team reach the 2024 semifinals. After last season’s early playoff exit, Mathews now finds himself surrounded by a deeper, more talented roster. Now he will look to lead them to glory and show he can be the best player in the competition.
8. Ky Bowman, Umana Reyer Venice
Ky Bowman played 45 games for the Golden State Warriors as an undrafted rookie in 2019–20 and spent the last three seasons in Italy with Brindisi (2022-23) and Treviso (2023-25). Now with Reyer and coming off a 16.0 PPG season, the 28-year-old gears up for his EuroCup debut, aiming to lead the backcourt alongside another former NBAer in Denzel Valentine. A strong season will boost both his MVP chances and Reyer’s postseason possibilities.
7. Jaylen Hands, Panionios Athens
Coming off a career season in scoring with 19.3 PPG in the Italian League last season, Jaylen Hands has the chance to turn heads in his rookie EuroCup season. He will be the go-to leader for a Panionios side competing in its first EuroCup campaign since 2013-14, which means that a strong year from Hands will put him in MVP contention in no time. Not many people are talking about Panionios, but Hands is eager to change that.
6. Fatts Russell, U-BT Cluj-Napoca
One of the most electrifying guards in Europe has arrived in the EuroCup. Fatts Russell brings dynamic scoring to the competition. Much like TJ Shorts a few years ago, Russell enters his rookie EuroCup season with an impressive scoring résumé in the in the BCL. With the passionate Cluj supporters behind him, Russell – now entering his fourth year as a pro – is poised to make a serious MVP push this season.
5. Yogi Ferrell, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica is entering the season with big ambitions, wanting more than just reaching the postseason. The club’s main priority in the offseason was to retain point guard Yogi Ferrell, who will now enter his third season with the Montenegrin powerhouse. Ferrell will be running the show in Podgorica, and if Buducnost wants to meet its ambitious goals, it will need Ferrell at his best. And such a Ferrell would be one of the best players in the competition.
4. Jaleen Smith, Turk Telekom Ankara
Turk Telekom Ankara head coach Erdem Can knows a thing or two about the success in the EuroCup, and this season, he picked Jaleen Smith to run his team’s offense. The veteran guard can hurt opposing defenses with his long-range shooting or pick them apart with his precise passing. Last season, his first in the competition, Smith was an All-EuroCup First Team selection. Now, in the Turkish capital, he is in a position to make an even bigger impact.
3. Anthony Brown, Besiktas GAIN Istanbul
Besiktas made major upgrades in the off-season, and Anthony Brown stands out as one of the marquee additions. This marks his sixth EuroCup team, and he reunites with Coach Dusan Alimpijevic, whom he previously played under at Bursaspor. Brown is coming off his finest EuroCup campaign yet, finishing third in scoring and ninth in three-point accuracy despite launching nearly six attempts per game. With a career three-point percentage of 44.1%, elite shooting is his calling card. Now at the peak of his career, Brown has all the ingredients to make a run at MVP honors.
2. Trevion Williams, Bahcesehir College Istanbul
Trevion Williams returns to the EuroCup after a year away. He earned a spot on the 2023–24 All-EuroCup First Team after averaging 14.8 points, a league-best 10.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 18 games. His performance placed him second in PIR that season, just behind the MVP, TJ Shorts. A mobile center with exceptional court vision and versatile scoring ability, Williams is poised to be one of the EuroCup's standout stars, aiming to lead his club to the top of the podium.
1. Jared Harper, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem
Could Jared Harper become the first player ever to repeat as EuroCup MVP? Last season he averaged the most points in the EuroCup in 18 years, ranked third in assists and set records for fouls drawn and free throws made. Opponents simply struggled to stop him and if Harper can repeat that level of efficiency on a team that hopes to contend for the crown, he could finish the season with another big trophy.