New stars are born every season in the VTB League and this year has been no exception. Konstantin Kucher profiles six of the most exciting breakout performances of the season.
Isaiah Briscoe (Kalev)
Stats: 21.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
Kalev has served as a springboard for many players over the years, including Frank Elegar, Josh Boone, Demonte Harper and Vitali Liutych.
The newest star in Tallinn is Isaiah Briscoe, who spent last season at the University of Kentucky and signed his first professional contract with Kalev.
The American guard has plenty of weapons on offense. He has a reliable jump shot and passing game, but he excels at getting into the lane. Briscoe’s ability to drive past opponents is what makes him so dangerous on the attack.
At the same time, don’t forget that Briscoe is only 21 years old. His youth and lack of European experience haven’t seemed to bother him in Estonia. Briscoe put up 20 points in his debut game and has scored at least 13 points in every appearance. He also has the longest streak in the League of consecutive games with 20+ points (5). The dynamic guard is oozing with potential and already competing for a scoring title in his rookie season.
Anthony Gill (Khimki)
Stats: 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.5 blocks
The top Russian clubs rarely bring in young, inexperienced foreign players. Anthony Gill was a calculated risk over the summer. The 24-year-old forward only had one year of experience with mid-level Turkish club Yesilgerisun.
So it’s been amazing to see his progress in Moscow Region during the course of the season. Khimki is much deeper at the forward position this season and Gill has made himself irreplaceable on the court, beating out the competition for valuable minutes. He’s an excellent example of the modern power forward. Athletic for his size, Gill can guard the center position, shoot from beyond the arc, drive the lane, and battle in the paint for rebounds. He’s third on the team in points and efficiency rating. Fans and analysts have been paying attention: Gill started for the World Stars at the VTB United League All-Star Game.
Dmitry Kulagin (Lokomotiv-Kuban)
Stats: 11.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks
This is already Dmitry’s sixth season in the VTB League. The guard has had his ups and downs in the League, including a disappointing season with Krasnye Krylia, leadership roles at Triumph and Zenit and bench-warmer status at CSKA. In fact, his two-year stint with the Army Men led to skepticism over Kulagin’s ability to be an impact player at the top Russian clubs.
But Kulagin proved the doubters wrong. Despite missing the first few weeks of the season and taking his time to adapt in Krasnodar, the Russian playmaker has become a leader on Loko’s roster in 2018.
He’s done so in surprising fashion. For the past two seasons in Moscow, Kulagin was asked to play at shooting guard and small forward, with an emphasis on defense. Under Sasa Obradovic, he’s enjoying remarkable success as a point guard, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Stephane Lasme (UNICS)
Stats: 13.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.7 blocks
Unlike most of the breakout players on this list, Lasme is not young. The 35-year-old center has plenty of experience in European basketball, but his numbers had been in steady decline for several years, leading to tempered expectations in Kazan. That’s why his resurgence this season came as such a shock.
Lasme has proved he can still compete at the highest level, earning the role of starting center and helping UNICS enjoy a very successful campaign. On offense, he’s reliable from mid-range, dangerous in the pick-and-roll and knows how to play with his back to the basket. On defense, he’s an outstanding shot-blocker and terrific rebounder.
Lasme’s productivity is backed up by the stats. The center leads the VTB League in blocks (1.7) and ranks in the top 10 in rebounds (6.3) and efficiency rating (17.0), while cracking the top 20 in points (13.4). He’s also near the top five in field-goal percentage (56.8%).
Codi Miller-McIntyre (PARMA)
Stats: 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.3 steals
The young American enjoyed a terrific debut season in Europe with Leuwen Bears. Miller-McIntyre led the Belgian league in scoring at 17.2 ppg and assists (5.8). But there was no guarantee those numbers would translate to a tougher league.
Miller-McIntyre has shown he’s up to the challenge with PARMA. The explosive playmaker is the biggest star on the team, scoring and distributing at a prolific rate. Miller-McIntyre is one of only two players in the League (also Astana’s Justin Carter) that ranks in the top 30 in every big statistical category: points (16.6), assists (8.0), rebounds (4.8), steals (1.3) and efficiency rating (19.6).
The fans also appreciate his run-and-gun approach. Miller-McIntyre can push the tempo in transition, bump and bruise his way to the basket and throw down ferocious dunks. Not surprisingly, PARMA’s front office is doing everything it can now to keep him at the club next season.
Justin Robinson (Avtodor)
Stats: 13.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.7 steals
Robinson was recently named the VTB League’s February MVP, which was fully deserved. It’s difficult to overestimate his role in the team’s success. Avtodor is 8-8 on the season, only a half game behind Khimki.
Coty Clarke and Justin Robinson are the team’s two biggest stars. Expectations were high for Clarke, who spent last season in Kazan. The forward has size, plenty of weapons on offense and experience in the NBA and EuroLeague. Robinson, on the other hand, was not as highly touted. Measuring 174-cm tall and only 22 years old, no one knew what to expect.
But his competitive drive and talent have more than compensated for any deficiencies. Robinson has excellent playmaking ability, runs Avtodor’s offense and makes his teammates better. Plus, he can score on his own thanks to a reliable jumper, ballhandling skills and ability to drive the lane.
Robinson displayed his full offensive arsenal in a road game in Krasnoyarsk. The point guard scored 30 points, dished out 12 assists and virtually won the game single-handedly.
