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Who will be the next EuroLeague Rising Star?

Who will be the next EuroLeague Rising Star?

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29 September 20226 Mins read

Who will be the next EuroLeague Rising Star?

The EuroLeague Rising Star Award is a coveted trophy that has helped launch the careers of many young talents over the past two decades, including the likes of Danilo Gallinari, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Mirotic, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Luka Doncic. A player must be 21 years of age or younger on July 1 to be eligible for that season’s trophy. Here’s a look at some of the top candidates to receive this award in 2023.

Dovydas Giedraitis, Zalgiris Kaunas

The oldest player on the list, Giedraitis turned 22 in August. He arrives from Lietkabelis Panevezys, where he was a part-time starter in the 7DAYS EuroCup last season and he later helped it reach the Lithuanian League finals after averaging 13 points and 3.5 assists for a performance index rating of 18.5 against his new team in the semifinals. The guard will be in the mix for rotation minutes with Zalgiris this season and Giedraitis has a promising future ahead of him.

Rokas Jokubaitis, FC Barcelona

The reigning EuroLeague Rising Star, Jokubaitis blossomed last season in his first campaign with Barcelona. Despite playing fewer minutes than the season before, Jokubaitis increased his scoring, rebounding, assists and shooting accuracy while bringing great energy and tough defense off the bench. Jokubaitis will turn 22 in November and if he manages to continue to take significant steps forward, Jokubaitis could become the fourth player to repeat as EuroLeague Rising Star.

Yam Madar, Partizan NIS Belgrade

In his first season outside of his native Israel, Madar played well for Partizan last season while learning at the feet of legendary head coach Zeljko Obradovic. Madar, who will turn 22 in December, has shown at his best that he has the scoring chops and the passing skills to be a lead guard in the EuroLeague, however, consistency has been an issue. With a year of top-level experience under his belt, Madar figures to have a key role for Partizan this season and if he takes another big step forward, he should be in the running for the Rising Star Trophy.

Nico Mannion, Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Mannion’s first season in Italy did not go as planned from an individual point of view. A virus he contracted just before the start of training camp plagued Mannion all season long and kept him from showing the lethal skills that had made him a starter on the Italian national team and a chief target of Virtus before that. Despite his on-court struggles, Mannion was able to grow as a player by learning from the veterans around him and now back to full strength, the 21-year-old will look to show off his skills from opening night.

Jaime Pradilla, Valencia Basket

Pradilla took advantage of the opportunities for playing time last season and led the 7DAYS EuroCup in two-point shooting accuracy. His 79.8% was the highest in the competition since 2005. Pradilla averaged 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16 minutes per game in helping Valencia make the EuroCup Semifinals. He also appeared in 17 games in the EuroLeague for Valencia the year before that. Pradilla should have the minutes to make his mark this season as he establishes himself as a focal point on the Valencia attack.

Gabriele Procida, ALBA Berlin

Only 20 years old, Procida is one of the top players his age in Europe and ALBA signed him to a multi-year deal over the summer to help take him to the next level. The tall shooting guard was a regular contributor for Fortitudo Bologna last season in the Italian League where he displayed deep shooting range and the athleticism to attack the basket. There will be more pressure on Procida this season in the EuroLeague, but based on the early returns from the preseason, he is up for the challenge.

Alen Smailagic, Partizan NIS Belgrade

Smailagic will miss the start of the season, which could hurt him in the race for the Rising Star Award, however, there is no question that his talent warrants a place on this list. Smailagic had a strong debut season with Partizan in which he displayed both the tools and the skills to become a star. The do-it-all big man should have an important role waiting for him when he returns to full health as he looks to establish himself at the EuroLeague level.

Matthew Strazel, AS Monaco

With 66 EuroLeague games over the past three seasons for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Strazel is one of the most experienced players on this list. Only 20 years of age, Strazel will start anew this season with Monaco, where he should have an important role as a playmaker off the bench while learning from stars like Mike James, Jordan Loyd and his former ASVEL teammate Elie Okobo. The stars could be lining up for Strazel to have a breakout year.

Tristan Vukcevic, Partizan NIS Belgrade

The youngest player on this list, Vukcevic may still be a teenager, but he has already started in a EuroLeague Playoff game for Real Madrid in 2021. He took part in nine games for Los Blancos last season, but with his path to playing time blocked, Vukcevic came to Belgrade and joined Partizan. He has seen extended playing time in the preseason due to Alen Smailagic’s injury and a strong start from Vukcevic could secure his place in the Partizan hierarchy for seasons to come.