Summers are a busy team in the front office, with executives and coaches scrambling to assemble a roster in time for the upcoming campaign. But scouts never stop looking for impact signings. Every year, teams are able to uncover impact players long after the season has already begun. We take a look at six of the biggest midseason additions to the League this season
Sasa Zagorac (Parma)
Position: Forward
Stats:
Games – 4, Minutes – 22:42, Points – 11.5, 2-pt fg – 20.8%, 3-pt fg – 42.9%, FT – 75%, Rebounds – 6.0, Assists – 1.8, Steals – 0.8, Blocks – 0.3, Efficiency – 10.0
Added to the League over the summer, this is Parma’s first rodeo. From figuring out travel logistics to assembling a VTB United League roster, there’s always a steep learning curve for new clubs. The team did hit the jackpot by signing Danilo Andjusic, but you can’t expect to replicate that success every time.
Initially, no one expected anything extraordinary from Sasa Zagorac. He was given a specific role: Provide a veteran presence and knock down 3-pointers. To this point, he’s done a terrific job. Shooting 43% from beyond the arc, Zagorac can cover two positions: power forward and center. He’s also a reliable rebounder and distributor. If he can improve his field-goal percentage in the paint, he’ll play an even bigger role on offense and increased his odds of a contract extension.
Mareks Mejeris (VEF)
Position: Forward
Stats:
Games – 7, Minutes – 29:44, Points – 9.9, 2-pt fg – 60.0%, 3-pt fg – 21.4%, FT – 66.7%, Rebounds – 7.9, Assists – 1.9, Steals – 1.0, Blocks – 1.0, Efficiency – 15.1
VEF is in great position to make the playoffs, but the team doesn’t plan on stopping there. Over the past week, Riga has brought in several new players–Gints Antrops and Alex Gordon–to provide more depth in preparation for the stretch run.
Time will tell what kind of impact they make, but VEF already inked one impact player at the beginning of January. To be fair, Mejeris isn’t exactly new to Riga. He spent several years in VEF’s system and has experience as a leader on the team.
But Mejeris started the 2016-17 season at Chalon in France where things didn’t go quite as expected. Not surprisingly, he jumped at the opportunity to return home. It’s been a win-win situation for everyone, except VEF’s opponents. Mejeris is dangerous around the rim, boasting athleticism and skill with the ball. He’s also given Martins Meiers much-needed support in the frontcourt, eliminating one of Riga’s biggest needs.
Since he’s arrived, VEF has been an impressive 4-3, inching closer and closer to a return to the postseason.
Dijon Thompson (Nizhny Novgorod)
Position: Forward
Stats:
Games – 8, Minutes – 32:47, Points – 14.1 2-pt fg – 54.9%, 3-pt fg – 31.8%, FT – 80%, Rebounds – 6.6, Assists – 2.8, Steals – 2.4, Blocks – 0.6, Efficiency – 18.0
Expectations were not very high when Nizhny Novgorod announced it was bringing back 33-year-old veteran Dijon Thompson. But the American forward proved the critics wrong from the very beginning, quickly connecting with the young roster in Nizhny Novgorod, while putting up big numbers on the court.
Since arriving, he’s done it all: rebound, force turnovers, knock down shots and run the fast break. Dijon continues to provide versatility, which has proven even more useful with Kane’s departure and Strebkov’s injury.
The team’s results on the court are also improving, with wins over Avtodor, VEF and Kalev since his arrival. There’s a lot of work to be done, but Nizhny has every chance of making the postseason with Thompson leading the charge.
Robbie Hummel (Khimki)
Position: Forward
Stats:
Games – 12, Minutes – 20:00, Points – 9.2, 2-pt fg – 51.4%, 3-pt fg – 52.9%, FT – 95.2%, Rebounds – 3.4, Assists – 1.4, Steals – 0.8, Blocks – 0.1, Efficiency – 11.7
Shved has been so spectacular this season that the rest of the team is often overlooked. But big men Robbie Hummel and Marko Todorovic deserve a lot of the credit for Khimki’s success. The Todorovic, Hummel, Shved triangle has been shockingly effective in recent games, with the trio combining for nearly half the team’s points.
Hummel doesn’t score as much as Todorovic or Shved, but he’s a key part of the system. In order for the offense to run smoothly, someone needs to stretch the defense with three-point shooting. Hummel is the ideal candidate, converting more than half of his three-point attempts, while also a threat to drive the paint.
He’s also shown an ability to cover the center position. Though not as big as a traditional center, he’s been able to hold his own in the VTB League.
Vince Hunter (Avtodor)
Position: Forward
Stats:
Games – 10, Minutes – 25:59, Points – 15.1, 2-pt fg – 55.2%, 3-pt fg – 25.0%, FT – 70%, Rebounds – 7.5, Assists – 0.9, Steals – 1.2, Blocks – 1.5, Efficiency – 17.8
There’s been a lot of turnover in Saratov this season. Typically one of the League’s most active teams on the market, Avtodor has already released seven different players this season.
But there have been some bright spots, starting with Vince Hunter. He wasn’t a total unknown when he signed in Saratov, thanks to appearances in the Euroleague with Panathinaikos. But he was a role player there, whereas he’s been a star for Avtodor.
Athletic and quick, Hunter often plays center in Saratov, where he’s put up big numbers since joining the team. Hunter ranks in the League’s top 20 in points, rebounds, steals and efficiency rating.
Anthony Hilliard (Enisey)
Position: Guard
Stats:
Games – 7, Minutes – 21:12, Points – 9.7, 2-pt fg – 42.9%, 3-pt fg – 28.0%, FT – 68.7%, Rebounds – 3.1, Assists – 2.4, Steals – 0.6, Blocks – 0.0, Efficiency – 7.9
Hilliard has the reputation of being a scorer, a threat for dropping 30 on an unsuspecting opponent. He finished top 15 in scoring in the League each of the past two seasons. Fans expected the same when he inked with Enisey over New Year’s. But Hilliard’s only shooting 37% in Krasnoyarsk and averaging less than 10 points per game.
The stats, however, don’t tell the full story. Hilliard isn’t necessarily the first option in Siberia, like he was for Tsmoki-Minsk last season. With Enisey, he’s proving there’s more to him than simply scoring the ball. Anthony’s become a team player, often drawing the toughest defensive assignment. In addition, he’s a solid rebounder and happy to do the dirty work. That’s why Enisey’s coaching staff values him so much.
Hilliard also has a penchant for scoring in the second half, including a disproportionate amount in the 4th quarter. With his explosiveness, that’s a huge asset down the stretch against fatigued defenders.
