Round 19 MVP: Will Clyburn, CSKA Moscow

Jan 19, 2019 by Euroleague.net Print

With his team badly needing a bounce-back victory, CSKA Moscow forward Will Clyburn stepped up to deliver a big performance that led CSKA to a 77-70 comeback win over FC Bayern Munich, and in the process earned Clyburn MVP of the Round honors. Clyburn posted a game-high 20 points, making 4-of-8 two-point shots, 2-of-5 three-pointers and hitting all 6 free throws. He also collected 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assists and drew 4 fouls for a performance index rating of 27, the highest among players on winning teams. It was also Clyburn’s 15th straight double-figures scoring game, and his first MVP of the Round honor in 88 EuroLeague games. The highest index rating of the round belonged to Mike James of AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan, who had a career-best PIR 34 in a loss against KRIOLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. James netted 27 points, and had 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 5 drawn fouls. Baskonia’s Vincent Poirier had the third-best performance of the round, accumulating an index rating of 26 with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. Rounding out the list of best performers for this round were Olympiacos Piraeus center Nikola Milutinov and Buducnost VOLI Podgorica forward Coty Clarke, both with an index rating of 25. In a win over Khimki Moscow Region, Milutinov collected 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block and 5 drawn fouls. Clarke’s career-high PIR 25 came in a stunning 73-60 win over Real Madrid. Clarke claimed 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.

Individual leaders: Luca Vildoza of KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, 12 assists

Jan Vesely of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul remains the season leader in PIR, averaging 22.1 per game. James led all scorers with 27 points and extended his lead atop the scoring charts, as he averages 20.2 points. Clarke pulled down 12 rebounds, the most of all players in Round 19. Milutinov remains the rebounding leader for the season with 8.3 per game. Luca Vildoza of Baskonia led all players dishing 12 assists, his personal best. Nick Calathes of Panathinaikos OPAP Athens leads the league with 7.9 assists per game. Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward Adrien Moerman’s 4 steals topped all players in that category this round. Vesely is the new leader in this category, averaging 1.7 steals. Three players led Round 19 with 3 blocks apiece: Vesely, Madrid’s Walter Tavares and Goga Bizadze of Buducnost. Tavares is EuroLeague’s top shot-blocker with 1.9 per contest. There were two double-doubles this week, both by Buducnost players. Goga Bitadze collected 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Clarke had 12 points and 12 rebounds.