Colson earned his first MVP honor in the EuroLeague, and Moneke his third in only 33 games in the competition.
Round 18 co-MVPs: Bonzie Colson, Maccabi and Chima Moneke, Baskonia
Awards
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A nearly mistake-free game that helped keep his team riding high and a monster effort in a memorable comeback produced respective co-MVPs in Round 18 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season: Bonzie Colson of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Chima Moneke of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Colson earned his first MVP honor in the EuroLeague by posting 27 points and a PIR of 34 – each the second-highest totals in his 57-game career – as Maccabi downed visiting AS Monaco 93-83 on Tuesday. Just as impressive was his shooting efficiency as Colson made 9-of-10 two-pointers, 2-of-3 triples and 3-of-4 free throws in 25 minutes. He added 5 rebounds – 3 on offense – 2 steals and 1 block while committing just 1 turnover and drawing 5 fouls.
Moneke was a tour de force as Baskonia rallied from 17 points down with 15 minutes left to beat Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 75-73 at home in a thriller. Moneke finished with 20 points and a career-high tying 13 rebounds. He collected 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, including a game-tying triple within the final minute. He shot 4-for-5 on two-pointers, 2-for-3 on triples and 6-for-7 on free throws in 25 minutes.
Mike James of Monaco followed with a 32 PIR, based on his 27 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds despite his team's road loss to Maccabi. More fortunate was Joel Bolomboy of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, whose career highs of 24 points and 31 PIR helped carry his team to a 76-85 road win at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.
Five players tied for the fifth-best PIR of 28. Three of them won their games: Moustapha Fall of Olympiacos Piraeus, who anchored a 79-74 home win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan; Damien Inglis, who led Valencia Basket past visiting Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 93-88; and Jan Vesely, who guided FC Barcelona to an 83-78 over archrival Real Madrid. Mike Scott of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Nigel Hayes-Davis of Fenerbahce matched their 28 PIRs in losing efforts.