Expect these players to shine in the 2024-25 season
Top 10 EuroCup MVP candidates
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10 Mins read
The arms race to chase the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup crown over the summer saw more stars land in the competition than ever before. But to take home the EuroCup MVP Trophy, all that matters is what one does this season.
With all the big names, predicting who will be the MVP of the competition may be harder than ever. Here are my Top 10 candidates to be chosen as EuroCup MVP at the end of this season.
10. Vassilis Toliopoulos, Aris Midea Thessaloniki
Vassilis Toliopoulos comes off a strong debut season in the EuroCup in which he averaged 14.4 points on 91.9% free-throw shooting and 3.6 assists to lead Aris to the playoffs. After that, Toliopoulos had a key role with the Greek national team at the Olympic Games in Paris.
His confidence, leadership and EuroCup experience turn him into an even bigger threat this season. Toliopoulos is a reliable clutch player who reads the game well and is never afraid to attack the rim. At age 28, Toliopoulos has all it takes to record a career-defining season.
9. Caleb Homesley, Dreamland Gran Canaria
Caleb Homesley had a sudden impact in his first EuroCup season, playing for Veolia Towers Hamburg. Back in the 2021-22 campaign, he averaged 17.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 14 games.
In fact, he delivered one of the best all-around performances in recent EuroCup history with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for a PIR of 45 in a win against Turk Telekom Ankara, proving that he is more than just an excellent three-point shooter. With Gran Canaria, Homesley is surrounded by more talented players, and that is a great opportunity for him to challenge for glory.
8. Yogi Ferrell, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
Yogi Ferrell enters his fourth consecutive EuroCup season eager to take Buducnost to the next level. A great scorer, Ferrell missed the start of the 2023-24 season and when he joined Buducnost, he didn't find his rhythm (10.4 ppg., 4.1 apg.).
Now fully healthy, Ferrell should have a season closer to the 2022-23 campaign in which he led the EuroCup in scoring (18.4 ppg.) playing for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Smart, determined and always ready to make decisions, Ferrell is one of the biggest stars in the competition.
7. Tyler Ennis, Umana Reyer Venice
Tyler Ennis and Xavier Munford played together for Hapoel Tel Aviv last season and then joined Reyer this summer. Even though no player has scored more points than Mumford over the last two EuroCup seasons (580), watch out for Ennis as he makes things happen with his court vision, poise and one-on-one-skills.
Fully healthy after a couple of troubled seasons, Ennis should have a breakout season and lead Reyer to new heights. Fun fact: his brother Dylan Ennis made it to the 2018-19 All-EuroCup Second Team with MoraBanc Andorra. Can Tyler do even better than Dylan this season?
6. Austin Wiley, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem
The only newcomer on the list, Austin Wiley arrives in Jerusalem with a leading role. What are his credentials? First, he is an excellent rebounder. Over the last three seasons, Wiley has consecutively led the German, Lithuanian and Turkish Leagues in rebounds.
He is also a top-notch shot blocker who will surely surprise a lot of people with his timing and athleticism. Wiley is more than just a defensive wall, as he is a very disciplined player who uses his size and power to score in the paint. Expect to see him on the highlight reels and challenge for the MVP trophy.
5. Semi Ojeleye, Valencia Basket
Just like Jones, Semi Ojeleye is making his EuroCup debut after doing well in the EuroLeague; he averaged 12.0 points on 46.6% three-point shooting and 4.2 rebounds in 51 games with Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Valencia.
Extremely physical, fast and powerful, Ojeleye is also a great shooter with deep range who uses his athleticism to get to the foul line often. Playing at either forward spot, Ojeleye gives Valencia plenty of versatility, as he is also an excellent offensive rebounder who knows how to use his body to score in the paint.
4. Andrew Andrews, Wolves Twinbet Vilnius
Wolves have plenty of talented scorers all around and are expected to play fast-paced basketball, which is good news for Andrew Andrews, who thrives in transition due to his off-the-charts basketball IQ and great ability to hit stop-and-pop jumpers.
In 2022, Andrews led Frutti Extra Bursaspor to the EuroCup Finals against all odds. Last season, he averaged 14.6 points on 98.4% free throw shooting and 3.8 assists in 16 games with Joventut Badalona. At age 31, Andrews is at the prime of his career and in a perfect environment to showcase his best basketball.
3. Axel Bouteille, Bahcesehir College Istanbul
Axel Bouteille returns to the EuroCup for the first time since earning 2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team honors and reaching that season’s final with Turk Telekom Ankara. He was unstoppable back then, averaging 17.8 points on strong shooting (57.7% 2FG, 44.5% 3FG, 88.9% FT) plus 4.7 rebounds for a PIR of 17.7.
The Frenchman is in his second season with Bahcesehir and is his team's first option due to his one-on-one skills. His ability to create his own shot, both off screens and off the dribble, makes him a natural mismatch. This will be his sixth EuroCup season with five different teams, so Bouteille knows the competition inside out.
2. Chris Jones, Valencia Basket
After four solid seasons in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, it should not be a surprise to see Chris Jones on this list. Jones can generate his own shot, especially in crunch time, and has the basketball IQ, talent and athleticism needed to be a star in the competition.
He leads the winningest team in EuroCup history, too. Some may think that Jones maybe not be a motivated in the EuroCup but remember, he started his career in Mongolia, working his way up year by year until he reached the EuroLeague. With better pick-and-roll players around, Jones should be even more dangerous.
1. Johnathan Motley, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv
Patrick Beverley is getting all the media attention but if Hapoel wants to win the EuroCup, it will need Johnathan Motley's best at both ends. When it comes to the EuroCup, Motley has some unfinished business.
He was an MVP candidate when he played for Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar in the 2020-21 season with 21.2 points and 7.0 rebounds for a PIR of 23.9 in nine games. Lokomotiv did not finish that season and now that Motley is back, he is ready to showcase his power, post skills and energy. There may not be another other player more eager to prove his value.