One of the most intriguing matchups in the 7DAYS EuroCup floors during Round 10 will be on the outskirts of the French capital where two big forwards, Vince Hunter of Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (4-5) and JaJuan Johnson of Turk Telekom Ankara (5-4), will go against one another in a key clash for both teams.
Head-to-head: Vince Hunter vs. JaJuan Johnson
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Hunter and Johnson have been among the most productive big men and highlight-reel fixtures this season, but are also known to have dominated the competition in the past as both have previously earned All-EuroCup honors. When they met in the opening round this season, however, neither player shined.
It was the only time they have faced one another in their careers so far and Johnson had 6 points, 2 rebounds and a block in 17 minutes in Turk Telekom's 73-65 win, Meanwhile, Hunter had his lowest scoring output of the season with 4 points while also collecting 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists.
But both players quickly put those performances behind them and have been among their respective team's leaders in the first half of the regular season.
Hunter has scored in double figures in each of the last seven games, including three double-doubles. Playing more than 29 minutes per game, he is averaging 14.8 points, which is second-best on the team, and has also been one of the competition's best all-around contributors. Hunter is second in the EuroCup in rebounding (7.8 rpg.), fourth in steals (1.9 spg.) and tied for fourth in blocks (1.1 bpg.).
Johnson has averaged 27 minutes per game and is second on Turk Telekom in points (12.7 ppg.), rebounds (5.7 rpg.) and blocks (1.0 bpg.).
The 32-yeard old Johnson returned to the EuroCup this season for his fifth campaign with a fifth different team. He has 71 appearances and averages of 12.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks for his career. He is 83 points shy of reaching 1,000 for his career and needs 18 rebounds to join the top 10 all-time in total rebounds. He enters this game tied for 11th with 417 rebounds for his career.
Johnson earned All-EuroCup honors in 2017-18, which is also the year he won the title with Darussafaka Istanbul. Hunter was named to the All-EuroCup team last season with Virtus Segafredo Bologna after he helped the team win the first 19 games of the season. While Johnson is nearing the 1,000-point mark, the 27-year old Hunter is 27 points shy of reaching half that number with career averages of 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 46 appearances.
The two veterans are expected to play major roles on Wednesday night as their respective teams battle for a key victory in Group A.