MONTHLY REPORT: January 2025

The first report of 2025 is dedicated to the analysis of four leagues: the Turkish TBL, the main league of Cyprus, and the Greek Elite League. To retrieve previous Monthly Reports, I remind you to visit the ARTICLES section where we publish our analyses monthly.

TURKISH TBL

The second Turkish division is filled with interesting players who have remarkable potential even at higher levels; the departure of Marcus Shaver to move to the German Bundesliga is one example. The most significant statistical impact surely comes from Alonzo Verge, who, after leading the Golden Yilli to the championship final in the Kosovo Superliga, transferred to Balikesir and averaged 27 points and 10 assists. He is not the only one to have taken the Kosovo – Turkey route; indeed, Jalen Moore followed a solid start with Sigal Prishtina to move to Ormanspor Ankara, where he found one of the league’s most impactful rookies, big-man William McNair. The former Kansas State player is producing a double-double with 16.5 ppg (and 64.5% from 2-P) and 10.7 rebounds per game, the best in the whole TBL.

Another rookie standing out is guard Tyrece Radford in FinalSpor Bursa, where another player confirmed himself as a solid inside-man, Brendan Medley-Bacon. His team is not shining, but the stretch-five Dischon Thomas* has shown to be reliable in his first year with his three-point shooting (42.4% on 4.7 attempts).

Among the imports of the main teams, Ty Gordon and C.J. Elleby should be highlighted. Gordon, after making a big impact in Latvia and the Czech Republic, where he won everything with Nymburk, is leading the ambitious Trabzonspor (21.2 ppg with 41% from 3-P, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists), while Elleby is experiencing his first real opportunity outside the United States and is producing 17.3 ppg with 8.8 rebounds.

CYPRUS

The Cypriot league is certainly a good gym for younger imports, but statistics must always be placed in the right team context. In the unbeaten league leader AEK Larnaca, we should mention Brison Gresham, who at 27 years old has returned after his experience at Le Portel, confirming himself as a solid inside-player and a strong rebounder (9.8 ppg and 9.9 rebounds), capable of providing significant defensive presence.

While Keravnos opted for a more experienced lineup, AEL Limassol has chosen players in search of definitive affirmation. Takal Molson had to leave for personal reasons, but remaining are Tyrn Flowers, slender, dynamic, and with a three-point shot, who is experiencing a breakout season (23.4 ppg, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists), along with rookie T.J. Bickerstaff, a much more inside player who brings a lot of solidity (16.4 ppg, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists). They are led by Shamar Givance, who after a year in Slovakia confirms his skills both as a scorer (17.8 ppg) and in playmaking (8.3 assists per game, the best in the league).

In less competitive environments, there are other players worthy of mention, from Jonathan Cisse – the current top scorer at 28.2 ppg – and his teammate Seth Pinkney (9.8 ppg, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks at 216 cm) to Aaron Deloney (20.6 ppg and 6 assists) and the only non-rookie but sophomore, Cam Hamilton, who joined mid-season at the bottom of the standings, trying to win some games with 20.1 ppg, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

GREEK ELITE LEAGUE

The second Greek division last year consecrated Ty Brewer, who then moved to the Bundesliga; this season there are interesting names to follow, starting with top-scorer Joe Bryant who, after dominating in the Polish second league (and having delivered some great performances in the EuroCup with Slask Wroclaw), is confirming himself in Athens: 22 ppg, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, being the best in the league also in this category. On the top-table team Mykonou, the leading scorer is another 2023 class player, Jamari Blackmon, who after his rookie season in Cyprus is trying to lead the island team in the top league.

They gained more experience in Europe, and in the Elite League last year also played R.J. Glasper of Koroivos (19.2 ppg and 5.4 assists) and Ryan Allen of Esperos Lamia (14.7 ppg and 3 assists). Less flashy in the numbers, the duo from Proteas Voulos consists of Berrick Jean-Louis and Derrick Walker, players more focused on teamwork and able to provide significant defensive presence in a team striving to reach the playoffs.

Among the rookies, the best is Xander Rice from Papagou (17.6 ppg), but since January, former Utah Utes Cole Bajema has arrived, who started his European adventure in the Czech Republic; in his first four games, he has outstanding efficiency numbers (17.4 ppg, 72.2% from 2-P, and 57.9% from 3-P). Also noteworthy is the impact of undersized big Joshua Lusane, who is helping Hanth Thessaloniki in the relegation battle with his energy (13.9 ppg, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks).

*NB: transferred to Argentina on 29/01/2025