VTB League teams have come out of vacation and now are preparing for the season. Here are the most notable signings at the end of the off-season.
Tony Taylor
Transfer: from Bahcesehir to UNICS.
2023/24 season stats: 13.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists in the Turkish league.
UNICS and Nenad Dmitrievic are parted ways and closed the vacant guard position with Tony Taylor, who is familiar to VTB League fans from his time with Enisey. The 34-year-old American probably isn’t ready to fully compensate for one of the League’s top performers, but the Kazan team fans can count on quality. Tony spent last season playing for Bahcesehir, demonstrating solid performance in the strong Turkish league and decent stats in nearly 30 minutes on average. The 40% three-pointers made and the vet’s willingness to work on defense are noteworthy. Velimir Perasovic will have to shift the focus on offense and find a new leader capable of taking the lead in the final stages.
Quinndary Witherspoon
Transfer: from Zhejiang Lions to Avtodor
2023/24 season stats: 14.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists in the CBA.
Avtodor newcomer was selected at the NBA Draft by San Antonio. After spending 2 seasons in Gregg Popovich team, Quinndary went to Steve Kerr Golden State Warriors, where he even became the World Champion in 2022. While in the NBA the guard played a supporting role, he was one of the main players in the farm teams and the Chinese Basketball Association. The upcoming season will be the American’s debut in Europe, but his solid experience and work with the best coaches in the world should help him adapt quickly. High game intelligence and feel for the game are also on his side.
Witherspoon’s greatest strength is passing. Even fouls can’t stop him at times. At the same time, Quinndary willingly shares the ball with his partners and always aims for steal – he should be among the best in the entire League. Avtodor notes that the 27-year-old has a key role.
Aubrey Dawkins
Transfer: from Studenski Centar to Pari Nizhny Novgorod
2023/24 season stats: 10.4 points, 2.2 rebounds in the Adriatic League
Nizhny was looking for a sharpshooter at the end of the transfer campaign, and closed the issue by signing Dawkins, who moved to Europe after one season in the NBA G-League. The Volga team get not only the excellent shot creator, who can score both from static and after screens, but also a player who is ready to close several positions. The American is able to play as shooting guard and shooting forward, and even move to the power forward in the small five. Together with Kasey Shepherd, he will make a dangerous duo that will be a headache for any opponent.
Ronnie Harrell
Transfer: from Aris to Samara
2023/24 season stats: 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals in the Greek league.
The former Aris player is known as the cousin of NBA legend Chauncey Billups. Samara invited the forward for his ability to make three-pointers, his tenacious rebounding, his focus on steals and his versatility. The experience of playing at a high level nicely completes his resume (last seson Ronny made 10+5 in EuroCup games). The Volga team coach Drazen Anzulovic said that Harrell will be one of those who will lead Samara.
T.J. Starks
Transfer: from Juventus to Astana
2023/24 season stats: 16.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists in the Lithuanian league.
Playing in the last 2 seasons in Greece and Lithuania, Starks consistently averaged at least 16 points and 3 assists per game. T.J.’s style is shaped to offense. The guard is accustomed to controlling his team’s actions, focusing on scoring points and assisting to his teammates. He spends a lot of time with the ball, wearing down opponents with sharp changes of direction, acceleration and dribbling. Starks will definitely be one of the most notable players in Astana.
Marc Garcia
Transfer: from Dabrowa Gornicz to Avtodor
2023/24 season stats: 17.7 points, 2.5 rebounds in the Polish league.
Avtodor last signing so far, but last but not least in importance. Garcia has played a lot in the Spanish league. Last season he played in Poland, where he was the undisputed leader of the team – this experience should help him in Saratov.
Garcia best quality, once considered one of the most promising players in Spain, is his shot. In MKS Dabrowa Gornicz, the guard produced a top stat: 63.3% field goal made, 43.5% three-points made, and 93% free throw made. Mark is good on pick-and-rolls and is great off the ball. The VTB United League has another strong sharpshooter.
Victor Sanders
Transfer: from Anvil to Enisey
2023/24 season stats: 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals in the Polish league.
In mid-August, the Krasnoyarsk team found out about of the key offseason deal failure. C.J. Bryce was supposed to lead the offense, but in the end he will not play for Jovca Arsic team. The Siberian team worked quickly and signed the Polish league last season MVP. Perhaps it’s a case of good fortune, but bad luck helped. As the Krasnoyarsk team player, Sanders will try to repeat what sensational scoring record holder Xavier Rathan-Mayes did last season: take risks, take the lead in offense and shoot at the first opportunity, not forgetting about his teammates.
Enisey results in the new season will largely depend on the shooting guard performance, whose potential allows to hope that the team will maintain last year high level.
