The countdown to the 2024 BKT EuroCup Finals is underway. However, before a champion is crowned, it is only fitting to stop and salute the standout performers who made the 2023-24 season a resounding success. The five players selected to the All-EuroCup First Team through voting by fans, media, head coaches and team captains are all first-time honorees who led their respective teams into the BKT EuroCup Playoffs.
T.J. Shorts, Paris Basketball: Few EuroCup players have ever had the team and individual success that T.J. Shorts has enjoyed. In his first season in the competition, Shorts leads the 2023-24 EuroCup in assists (7.5 apg.), two-point shots made (5.9) and PIR (23.4), while ranking second in scoring (18.0 ppg.) and fourth in steals (2.0 spg.). He was the MVP of Rounds 1, 10 and 12, the quarterfinals and the semifinals. Shorts recorded five points-and-assists double-doubles this season. He is leading Paris to record-setting numbers, as well as a 20-1 record entering the EuroCup Finals. Paris is averaging 98.4 points per game and has a PIR average of 116.0, each of which are on course to become new competition records. Kudos to Shorts on a one-of-a-kind season!
Trevion Williams, Ratiopharm Ulm: In his first EuroCup season, Trevion Williams established himself among the best centers in the competition. He led the EuroCup in total rebounds with 10.8 per game. He needed just 18 games to record 12 double-doubles, which tied Vladimir Golubovic (2013-14) for the most by any player in a single EuroCup season. Williams also ranked in the top 20 in points (14.8 ppg.) and assists (4.3 apg,), leading all centers in the latter category. That led to Williams ranking second in the competition in average PIR with 22.1. He also earned Round 3 co-MVP honors with a PIR of 31. Williams amassed a PIR of 20 or more in 12 out of 18 games this season.
Gabe Olaseni, London Lions: Gabe Olaseni helped London reach the EuroCup semifinals, thus achieving the biggest success ever for any British basketball team in European competition. Olaseni ranked fifth in the competition with an average PIR of 20.1. He was also in the top 10 in average points (15.5) and rebounds (7.4). Olaseni was London’s most reliable player; he scored in double figures in 19 of his 21 appearances! He posted five double-doubles this season for London, too. Olaseni ranked fourth in free throw attempts (5.4 per game) and made 78.9% of his attempts, and was second in two-point shots made per game (5.6), with a solid percentage (64.1% 2FG), too.
Isiaha Mike, Mincidelice JR Bourg en Bresse: On a team without superstars, Isiaha Mike became Bourg’s most consistent and reliable player all season, leading the club to a first-place finish in Group B and to the EuroCup Finals. Mike led Bourg in both PIR (14.0) and points (12.8) per game in the team’s most successful EuroCup season. He was also among Bourg’s leaders in average rebounds (4.2 rpg.) and steals (1.6 spg.), ranking 10th overall in the latter. Mike stepped up when his team needed him, posting better numbers in the playoffs. Mike upped his numbers to 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 21.3 PIR in the quarterfinals and semifinals. He has now become the first-ever All-EuroCup selection from Bourg.
Matt Morgan, London Lions: Matt Morgan made sure to fill the baskets in his first-ever EuroCup season. He ranked fifth in scoring in the EuroCup with 16.5 points per game. Morgan scored at least 20 points in nine of his 22 appearances. He proved to be more than a scorer, too, as Morgan was among London’s top three in average PIR (18.0) and assists (3.9). In just his second game ever in the competition, Morgan earned MVP of the Round honors with a PIR of 30. He was one of three players to earn MVP of the Round honors more than once this season: Morgan shared the honor with T.J. Shorts in Round 10, too.
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