Photo: fcb-basketball.de

Danilo Barthel is the true leader of Bayern Munich. The native German player excels at all the small things in the game which help Bayern win. On offense, Barthel does everything at an elite level and is one of the most versatile center players in the league, an expert defender as well. He has become an excellent floor spacer, which proved key in Bayern Munich’s championship BBL title this year, and the finals round in which he earned himself MVP status. In August, Barthel succeeded Anton Gavel as Captain.

Hailing from Louisiana, USA, Markel Brown is a long way from home in Darüşşafaka, Turkey, and is also probably the most undervalued player in the EuroLeague right now. Brown does a lot for Darüşşafaka on both ends of the floor. He has always been an underrated defender, and his ability to switch between defending and forward positions will be extremely valuable. Brown has proven himself to be an excellent and versatile scorer. Just one minute of play for Markel Brown in his last game proved a big luxury for his team. A lot can happen in one year!

The dominating CSKA Moscow probably is not the best place for a newcoming player like Alec Peters. Their fighting spirit is perhaps not conducive to someone just finding his footing in Europe. However, Peters, a Valparaiso product and Washington state, USA native, is a great scorer off the bench. He needs time to start to shine, at only 23 years old. Peters is an excellent ball mover on offense, a smart defensive player, and a great shooter.

Casey Prather will play an important role for BC Khimki in Moscow this season. Prather is one of the best under-the-radar shooting guards in the EuroLeague. If Prather adapts himself to experienced guard Alexey Shved, they will be the most fun to watch backcourt in the competition. The American is an underrated team defender and his great shooting record precedes him: he was a prized standout last year on Promitheas.

Darrun Hilliard’s quick trigger and range from well beyond the three-point line is a perfect fit offensively for Spanish Baskonia. Hilliard is one of the best shooters in the EuroLeague coming off screens. Hiliard is the prototypical two-guard, and beyond just shooting the ball he can run pick-and-rolls and help the offense in multiple ways. Baskonia was smart to have picked up this reliable guard. We’ll see what he can do in Vitoria-Gasteiz.