European Basketball Weekly Honors: Standout Players in Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia
This week's top basketball performances across various leagues saw several players recognized with Hoops Agents Player of the Week awards for their outstanding contributions to their respective teams. These awards highlight not only individual brilliance but also the impact these players had on their team's success during the week.
Italian Serie A
In the Italian Serie A, Zach LeDay of AX Armani Exchange Milano earned the Player of the Week honor for round 26. LeDay, an experienced American-Azerbaijani power forward, delivered an impressive performance with 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists, leading Milano to a 95-80 victory over Pistoia. His efforts have helped Milano maintain a 5th position in the league standings with a 17-9 record. LeDay's consistent performance throughout the season, averaging 13.5 points per game, underscores his importance to the team.
Another standout performance for Armani Milano came from Nikola Mirotic, who contributed 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in the same game. Mirotic's contributions, along with LeDay's, were crucial in securing the win. Erick Green of Gevi Napoli Basket also had a notable week, scoring 24 points and providing five assists, although his team lost to Varese. Other top performers in the Italian league included Andrea Cinciarini, Mfiondu Kabengele, Chris Horton, Jacob Pullen, Isaia Cordinier, Briante Weber, and Jaylen Hands.
Romanian Liga Nationala
Cornelius Hudson of CS Valcea 1924 Rm Valcea was named Player of the Week in the Romanian Liga Nationala for round 27. Hudson, an American shooting guard, scored 32 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out seven assists in Valcea's 93-83 win over Ploiesti CSM. His stellar performance helped Valcea maintain the 2nd position in the league with a 22-5 record. Hudson's season stats are remarkable, ranking among the league's top in points (21.3ppg) and rebounds (8.3rpg).
Mateo Colak of BC CSU Sibiu also had a strong week, scoring 26 points, securing nine rebounds, and providing six assists in a win against Constanta. Sean East II of CSM Constanta scored an impressive 40 points but could not prevent his team from losing. Other notable players in the Romanian league included Lewis Sullivan, Tyler Stevenson, Munis Tutu, Bogic Vujosevic, Kamau Stokes, Goran Martinic, and Austin Crowley.
Croatian Premijer Liga
Vito Kucic of KK Split received the Player of the Week award in the Croatian Premijer Liga for round 29. Kucic, a 22-year-old guard, scored 21 points, including five three-pointers, in Split's 87-74 victory over Cibona. Split holds the 2nd position in the league with a 23-6 record, and Kucic's performance was crucial in maintaining their standing. His season average is 10.5 points per game.
Bryant Thomas of GKK Sibenka Sibenik also had a noteworthy week, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a win against Dubrava. Tomislav Buljan of KK Cedevita Junior Zagreb contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds, although his team lost to Dubrovnik. Other top performers in the Croatian league included Domagoj Vukovic, Ivan Vucic, Petar Aranitovic, Milija Mikovic, Ivan Gulin, David Skara, and Krsevan Klarica.
Bulgarian NBL
Curtis Jones of Balkan Botevgrad was named Player of the Week in the Bulgarian NBL for round 25. Jones, an American guard, scored 39 points, secured four rebounds, and provided four assists in Balkan's 104-89 victory over Spartak Pleven. His performance helped Balkan maintain the 2nd position in the league with a 16-6 record. Jones's season stats are impressive, averaging 19.0 points per game.
Brett Reed of BC Beroe Stara Zagora had a double-double with 23 points and 17 rebounds in a win against Levski. Christian Keeling of BC Spartak Pleven scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists in a loss to Balkan. Other top performers in the Bulgarian league included Masan Vrbica, Lamonte Turner, Daylen Williams, Prince Orizu, Igor Kesar, Borislav Mladenov, and Georgi Boyanov.
The selection of the Player of the Week in each league is based on an efficiency calculation that considers game results, the importance of the game, and whether a player recorded a double-double or triple-double. The efficiency formula involves various statistics, ensuring that the most deserving player is recognized each week.