Post-draw analysis, comments: Group D

Oct 05, 2013 by Eurocupbasketball.com Print

Alba Berlin

There will be many new faces at O2 Arena for Alba fans as the club welcomed home power forward Jan Jagla, then reenforced the frontcourt further with young warrior Leon Radosevic and national team player Alex King. In a renovated backcourt, assist man Cliff Hamonds, versatile scorer Reggie Redding, streak shooter Akeem Vargas and solid competitor Vojdan Stojanovksi will seek the right chemistry to make Alba, a former Eurocup runner-up, a winner.

CAI Zaragoza

CAI Zaragoza makes its Eurocup debut ready to make some noise in the competition. CAI bolstered its frontcourt Giorgi Shermadini and Viktor Sanikidze to dominate in the paint, as well as former Eurocup champion Pere Tomas and playmaker Jonathan Tabu. Pedro Llompart, Jon Stefansson, Henk Norel and Michael Roll, among others, are back to make sure CAI reaches far in the 2013-14 Eurocup.

Virtus Rome

Virtus Rome is back to the Eurocup with high hopes. Rome is really deep at point guard with Jordan Taylor, Lorenzo D'Ercole and Phil Goss. It signed a first-class shooter in reigning Eurocup champion Jimmy Baron. Quinton Hosley, Callistus Eziukwu and Bobby Jones lead an interesting frontline. Expect Rome to be highly competitive.

Belfius Mons Hainaut
Belfius Mons-Hainaut

Big man Justin Cage, in his fifth season with the team, will find a completely new backcourt with long-range shooter Talor Battle, who averaged 17.5 points and 4.3 assists in Italy's second division, and point guard Demontez Stitt, who had 14.4 points and 4.4 assists per night in the Israeli League. Another crucial addition is swingman Robert Vaden from Telekom Bonn of Germany, a deadly shooter with quick release.

BCM Gravelines Dunkerque

A trio formed by Marcus Lewis, Gary McGhee and Yakhouba Diawara landed on the Atlantic Ocean's edge in northwestern France to add athleticism, rebounding skills and scoring ability to a team where the backcourt duo of Yannick Bokolo and Juby Johnson guarantees decision making and three-point shot. At the same time, young talents like WIlliam Howard and Charly Maraux will likely get the minutes to show why their careers are so promising.

Telekom Baskets Bonn

After three years away, Telekom Bonn is back in the Eurocup this season. Eager to make its return a success, Bonn made sure to keep trusted playmaker Jared Jordan and to surround him with plenty of scoring options. Benas Veikalas returns alongside Jordan at guard, while Ryan Brooks, Tony Gaffney and Jamel McLean will help the team get out and run. Rookie center Enosch Wolf could also develop into an intriguing force inside.

POST-DRAW COMMENTS

Alba Berlin sports director Mithat Demirel:

"It was a good draw for us. The new format is very exciting and there are many attractive teams playing in the Eurocup. It is a kind of underrated competition bit I think it will be very exciting to be a part of it again. It would be very competitive even without Euroleague teams but the fact that eight of them will join in the Last 32 will make it stronger. It will be very, very difficult to reach high in the competition but we will do our best to do that."

CAI Zaragoza sports director Willy Villar:

"We are very happy to be in the Eurocup. It will be great for our fans to see the great tradition and playing level. First and foremost, we will try to be competitive in such an attractive competition and against teams of such caliber and tradition. It is a great reward for our fans. It will be a tough group but we are excited with the chance to compete and hopefully advance. We have the ambition to reach as high as we can. We are a new team in the competition, that's undeniable, but we have always been ambitious. Our first goal, of course, will be try to get to the next round."

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Post-draw analysis, comments: Group D

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