This week’s selection leaned heavily toward interior production, with multiple frontcourt players impacting through rim pressure, rebounding, and physicality. The backcourt names balanced the group with a strong mix of shot creation and offensive control.
Rookie Team of the Week
- MYLES TATE – AEL Limassol (CYP) – 19 pts, 6/10 2P, 6 rbs, 13 ass – 30 index
- PJAY SMITH – Manchester Basketball (ENG) – 27 pts, 5/9 3P, 6/7 FT, 7 rbs, 6 ass, 7 frv – 39 index
- C.J. WALKER – Elitzur Yavne (ISR) – 32 pts, 12/18 2P, 8/14 FT, 15 rbs – 39 index
- ASHTON SHERRELL – Amicale Steinsel (LUX) – 30 pts, 10/14 2P, 7/8 FT, 15 rbs, 3 blk – 47 index
- ZED KEY – BK Pardubice (CZE) – 22 pts, 5/7 2P, 12/16 FT, 17 rbs, 2 ass, 12 frv – 48 index
- PAYTON SPARKS – Pully Lausanne (SWI) – 20 pts, 5/8 2P, 10/13 FT, 10 rbs, 5 stl, 8 frv – 32 index
Beyond the Boxscore
Zed Key headlines the week after a dominant 22-point, 17-rebound performance that carried added weight given Pardubice’s position near the top of the Czech league. His activity around the basket and ability to generate second-chance value set the tone for a group of frontcourt players who created impact through force, mobility, and constant paint touches.
That same pattern connected C.J. Walker and Ashton Sherrell, both producing double-doubles through energy, length, and physical presence rather than perimeter skill. Walker combined volume finishing with strong rebounding, while Sherrell added rim protection to his interior production, reinforcing how quickly functional athletic tools can shape games at this level. Payton Sparks fit the same statistical frame in a different way, relying more on size, positioning, and interior toughness than mobility or vertical activity.
On the perimeter, Myles Tate and PJay Smith provided the complementary layer this team needed, blending scoring with real creation responsibility. Tate controlled tempo with 13 assists, while Smith paired high-level scoring with rebounding and playmaking to round out one of the most complete guard performances of the week.
HONORABLE MENTION: Khalil Brantley (Krka Novo Mesto) continued his strong early impact in a new context, posting 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in just 24 minutes. The production remains all-around, efficient, and immediately functional.
Scouting Radar
With the Finnish league entering the playoffs, the focus shifts to four American imports who closed the regular season with clearly defined roles and strong individual production. Different profiles, same outcome: each established tangible value within competitive contexts and now enters the decisive stage with real momentum.
Jack Forrest | Salon Vilpas | 6’5 – 196 cm
Mid-season addition who translated quickly into a major role for one of the league’s top teams. Averaged 18 ppg, 5 rpg and 2.5 apg, with strong shot volume from the perimeter and immediate value as a catch-and-shoot wing. Best suited to structured contexts where he can play off the ball and attack closeouts without carrying full creation duties.
Our Take: Team-oriented scoring wing whose shooting and role discipline can translate upward in the right system.
Jermaine Marshall | Kataja | 6’6 – 198 cm
Productive forward who closed the regular season with 17 ppg and 8 rpg, bringing physical scoring and rebounding presence. Can generate points quickly, contribute on the glass, and add energy in short stretches. Offensive role is clear, while defensive mobility remains a limiting factor.
Our Take: Impact forward best deployed in a defined scoring role, with value tied to physicality, rebounding, and energy.
Frank Champion | UU Korihait | 6’7 – 201 cm
One of the league’s clearest offensive focal points, finishing the regular season at 22.5 ppg, 9 rpg and 3.5 apg. Operates as an all-around forward who can score inside, facilitate, and punish slower matchups off the dribble. Production is real, but his perimeter shooting still needs to be viewed cautiously, and durability remains part of the evaluation.
Our Take: Versatile offensive forward with strong all-around value and the profile to draw attention from stronger leagues if health cooperates.
Max Brooks | BC Lathi | 6’7 – 201 cm
Interior big who paired efficient scoring with defensive impact throughout the regular season. Posted 18 pprg, 8 rpg and 1.7 blk while finishing at a high percentage around the rim. Rim protection, mobility and activity are his main selling points, while offensive range and role definition remain more limited.
Our Take: Functional interior presence with translatable defensive tools, though his long-term fit still depends on how clearly he settles between the four and five.
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