Mario Hezonja, Nigel Hayes-Davis, and Chima Moneke were not ranked in last year's BasketNews list, but heading into the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, they have all cracked the Top 20. Additionally, Evan Fournier is the highest-ranked EuroLeague rookie this year.
For the third consecutive year, BasketNews presents its EuroLeague players ranking, featuring insights from 39 general managers, head coaches, scouts, non-EuroLeague players, BasketNews crew members, and select media from across Europe who ranked the best players in the competition.
Respondents were asked to evaluate players based on their performance during the 2023-24 season, their current level, and projections for the 2024-25 season, considering their role, potential, injury status, and any other significant elements that could affect their performance.
Survey participants were provided with a list of nearly 100 EuroLeague players, and after compiling the results, we proudly present the BasketNews Top 30 EuroLeague Players ranking.
The ranking scale used by the voters was as follows:
- 5: EuroLeague MVP contender
- 4: All-EuroLeague 1st Team-caliber player
- 3: All-EuroLeague 2nd Team-caliber player
- 2: A starter on a Top 8-caliber team
- 1: The best of the rest
If voters felt a player did not deserve a spot among the Top 30, they were free to withhold their vote.
Media votes accounted for approximately 50% of the survey, while the remaining portion was contributed by basketball players, coaches, and front-office personnel.
We begin our EuroLeague players ranking by revealing positions 30-11. The Top 10 will be published in the coming days as we approach the new EuroLeague season.
31-30. Furkan Korkmaz & Will Clyburn
- Points: 100
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: Korkmaz (didn't play) & Clyburn 5 (-25)
Will Clyburn is surely smiling as he sees his position in the rankings. After being ranked in the Top 5 last year, Clyburn has nearly fallen out of the Top 30 heading into the 2024-25 season.
Last season with Efes, Clyburn averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and a 14.7 PIR, placing him 18th in both scoring and PIR.
However, consecutive seasons in Istanbul without playoff appearances, his age (Clyburn will turn 34 by the season's end), and signing with a non-playoff team may have affected his standing in the eyes of the voters.
Virtus ranked dead last in the EuroLeague in made ISO shots last season (per InStat) while making tough shots remains one of Clyburn's specialties. There's undoubtedly plenty of motivation behind Will's smile as he looks to silence the doubters.
After spending seven years in the NBA, Furkan Korkmaz has returned to Europe to continue his career where it all began.
Standing at 2.01 meters, his combination of size, basketball IQ, and ability to create his shot or score off screens makes him a highly promising scorer in the EuroLeague.
29-28. Nikola Milutinov & Josh Nebo
- Points: 102
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: Milutinov 9 (-19) & Nebo (not ranked)
For Milutinov, staying healthy is the top priority after injuries derailed his momentum last season, causing him to miss 35% of EuroLeague games and almost drop out of the Top 30.
When he is healthy, Milutinov's presence in the paint consistently pressures opponents on offensive rebounds and post-up defense.
With Milutinov on the floor, Olympiacos' offensive rating improves by 3.5 points per 100 possessions, while their offensive rebounding percentage surges by 8.2%, reaching a EuroLeague-leading 35.9%, per BBallytics.
Over the past two seasons, Josh Nebo has quietly made a significant impact in the EuroLeague.
Since the 2022-23 season, while much of the attention in Tel Aviv has been on Wade Baldwin and Lorenzo Brown, Nebo has established himself as one of the league's top rebounders (second in total rebounds, trailing only Mathias Lessort), shot-blockers (8th), and most efficient players (6th in PIR).
Per BBallytics, when Nebo was on the floor last year, opponents' two-point shooting percentage dropped by nearly 5%, placing him alongside elite rim-protectors like Edy Tavares (-4.1%) and Moustapha Fall (-5.7%).
27. Nicolas Laprovittola
- Points: 103
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: 26 (-1)
Nicolas Laprovittola was the only guard among Barcelona's top five scorers last EuroLeague season, highlighting the team's need for additional star power in Catalunya.
Kevin Punter is expected to provide that boost this season, but Lapro's importance will remain significant. He is poised for even better shooting nights, having already showcased elite efficiency with 55.9% shooting from two and 38.8% from beyond the arc.
26-25. Thomas Walkup & Jan Vesely
- Points: 104
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: Walkup 19-20 (-6) & Vesely 29 (+4)
Ironically, both players could make a strong case for the Defensive Player of the Year award next season.
Walkup claimed the title last year, becoming the first guard since Dimitris Diamantidis (2010-11) to earn the trophy.
Meanwhile, Vesely is coming off a standout season, where his value was evident through the analytics. According to BBallytics, with Vesely on the court, Barcelona outscored their opponents by 10.9 points per 100 possessions.
24. Lorenzo Brown
- Points: 106
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: 7 (-17)
Lorenzo Brown may have fallen in the rankings but still delivers in crucial moments when the stakes are highest.
In last year's play-in victory against Baskonia, he scored a season-high 29 points. During the five-game playoff thriller against Panathinaikos, Brown averaged 17.2 points on 59.1% shooting from two and 38.1% from three, along with 3.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and a 19.2 PIR, all while facing maximum defensive pressure as the primary target following Baldwin's injury.
Panathinaikos clearly knows what they're adding to their roster.
23. Carlik Jones
- Points: 109
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: didn't play
Following a significant roster overhaul this summer, Partizan welcomes a player with immense potential and skill who has yet to compete in the EuroLeague.
Carlik Jones is set to provide elite scoring for Željko Obradović, and his all-around impact was showcased during South Sudan's narrow one-point loss to Team USA, where he recorded a triple-double.
22. Cedi Osman
- Points: 110
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: didn't play
The 29-year-old Turkish star Cedi Osman has made his intentions clear by signing a one-year deal with Panathinaikos Athens, turning down a lucrative two-year offer from another EuroLeague team, as sources revealed to BasketNews.
Despite his goal to return to the NBA and boost his stock in front of NBA decision-makers, a single season in Europe can sometimes change a player's career trajectory.
Kendrick Nunn, who initially came to Europe with the goal of returning to the NBA, ended up dominating, becoming a fan favorite, and finding his niche where he was well-compensated.
With his solid all-around skillset as a wing player in the EuroLeague, Osman could make a case for a lucrative EuroLeague career.
21. Jabari Parker
- Points: 111
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: not ranked
One of the biggest mysteries of the 2023-24 season has proven his worth and become a core player for Barcelona.
Jabari Parker has found his peace in Barcelona, and his EuroLeague averages of 10.6 points (51.1% shooting from two, 38.1% from three) and 4.2 rebounds are possible to improve in his second season.
20. Vincent Poirier
- Points: 112
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: not ranked
Vincent Poirier has finally stepped out of Edy Tavares' shadow. In his last season with Real Madrid, the French big man demonstrated he could be a star-caliber cornerstone frontline player in the EuroLeague.
When given the opportunity to play more than 20 minutes per game last season, Poirier averaged 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots.
Based on these metrics, he would have ranked as the leading rebounder and shot-blocker in the EuroLeague.
19. Chima Moneke
- Points: 115
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: not ranked
Chima Moneke has emerged as the biggest breakout player of the 2023-24 season. If not for his contract with Baskonia and a hefty buyout, he would have already jumped to one of the EuroLeague powerhouses.
Moneke's unique versatility stands out—no other player last season averaged at least 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal on 35% three-point shooting.
Moneke's rise has been nothing short of incredible, considering he didn't even make the 2023 EuroLeague Players ranking and was far from the conversation after a challenging season in Monaco.
18-17. Evan Fournier & Toko Shengelia
- Points: 116
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: Fournier (didn't play) & Shengelia (not ranked)
Evan Fournier embarks on his highly anticipated EuroLeague debut with Olympiacos as arguably one of the most high-profile rookies in recent memory. He is the highest-ranked EuroLeague rookie this year.
With Olympiacos' deep roster, Fournier still has much to prove on the court. However, he's already shown his value as a key contributor on winning teams, leading France as their primary perimeter threat to podium finishes at the Olympics, World Cup, and EuroBasket in four of the last five major FIBA tournaments.
The 33-year-old Shengelia's personality and skillset make him a coveted asset for any title contender looking to strengthen their roster. He enters the Top 30 after missing it last season due to Virtus' underwhelming EuroLeague campaign.
He delivered an MVP-caliber performance in the first half of the last EuroLeague season, averaging 16.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, leading Virtus to a surprising 2nd seed in the EuroLeague standings.
16. Shavon Shields
- Points: 117
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: 15 (-1)
One of the biggest star players to miss the EuroLeague playoffs for the past two years was close to leaving Milan this offseason. However, with a revamped roster, Shields is eager to help his team return to the playoffs.
If Milan can establish more reliable offensive weapons to enhance their overall flow—having ranked in the bottom five for offensive rating last year, according to BBallytics—Shields' solid averages of 15.7 points (59.0% from two, 38.9% from three), 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists could see a significant increase.
15. Kevin Punter
- Points: 123
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: 4 (-11)
The Former Partizan captain dropped from 4th place in last year's rankings, largely due to missing the EuroLeague playoffs.
However, KP finds himself in a strong position to elevate Barcelona to Final Four contention.
Over the past two seasons of his EuroLeague return, he ranked 7th in total points scored while posting the best three-point shooting percentage (40.7%) among the top seven scorers, along with an elite 51.0% from two-point range.
14. Markus Howard
- Points: 124
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: 27 (+13)
Markus Howard is rapidly emerging as one of the EuroLeague's superstars. Alongside Dzanan Musa, Howard is one of only two players under 25 who averaged over 10 points per game last season.
Since entering the EuroLeague in 2022, Howard has established himself as a scoring machine, racking up 1,229 points over two seasons—just 76 points shy of Mike James, despite playing five fewer games.
Howard is also one of the most significant risers in the rankings, jumping from 27th place last year.
13. Kostas Sloukas
- Points: 127
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: 14 (+1)
Kostas Sloukas faced doubts following the biggest EuroLeague move in a decade, moving from Piraeus to Athens.
However, his performance dispelled any doubts. He averaged 15.2 points and 5.6 assists during the playoff thriller against Maccabi and delivered a 24-point performance in the title game against Madrid, earning him the Final Four MVP trophy and the EuroLeague title in his first year with Panathinaikos.
Sloukas has proven himself, but you can expect him to give his all in pursuit of back-to-back glory.
12. Nigel Hayes-Davis
- Points: 130
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: not ranked
Nigel Hayes-Davis is the only All-EuroLeague First Team player not ranked among the Top 10 for the 2024-25 season.
Despite making an impressive leap to a high 12th place after not being ranked at all last season, this ranking will certainly serve as motivation for Hayes-Davis as he sets his goals and milestones for the upcoming season on his famous notes.
With a 50-point single-game EuroLeague scoring record, an All-EuroLeague Team selection, and his name etched among the league's elite, it's exciting to see what Nigel has in store next to continue surprising fans.
11. Mario Hezonja
- Points: 139
- Position in the BasketNews EuroLeague Players Ranking before the last season: not ranked
Hezonja was not ranked among the Top 30 players last season after his first year in Madrid, where he tried to find his space on a star-studded championship team.
However, in his second year, he found his rhythm and became the team's top scorer, averaging 13.5 points on an impressive 52.2% shooting from two and 43.1% from three.
His size and all-around skill set nearly earned him an NBA deal, but after a turbulent free agency period, Hezonja opted to stay with the Royal Club in pursuit of regaining the championship crown.
The Top 10 will be published in the coming days as we approach the new EuroLeague season.
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