FICYMIs October 15, 2021: Overtime Elite schedule, Remembering U18 Abrines, Strazel in comeback
Friday In Case You Missed Its: The schedule and final rosters for the Overtime Elite series have been announced; FIBA looks back on U18 Alex Abrines; Matthew Strazel helps ASVEL in big comeback.
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Overtime Elite announces schedule, final rosters
The start of the exciting new Overtime Elite series is just around the corner as the dates have been announced. The league will tip off on October 29 and the build-up is getting bigger and bigger.
When Alex Abrines went from unknown to MVP
The Eye on the Future column has been re-started on the FIBA website and this week’s edition is looking back to when Alex Abrines went from an unknown to the MVP of the FIBA U18 European Championship 2011. If you don’t remember that tournament, make sure you take a look at this piece. Heck, check it out even if you do remember the tournament because he was so much fun watching.
Strazel helps ASVEL in magical comeback win over Efes
Almost all of the talk about prospects at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne this season has been about Victor Wembanyama. And he rightfully deserves loads of attention. Unfortunately he hasn’t really been playing much yet this season. But Wembanyama doesn’t deserve all of the attention. Some also should be given to the 2000-born Matthew Strazel, who is starting his third season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
And the tough, speedy scoring point guard played a big role in ASVEL producing a magical 19-point third quarter comeback to knock off the reigning EuroLeague champions Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Strazel entered the game in the third quarter with 4:06 minutes left and ASVEL down 58-42. He dished out three assists - including the nice feed to Paul Lacombe in the highlights - in 4 minutes of action and the deficit was down to 62-53 after three quarters.
He added a steal, foul drawn and defensive rebound while missing one shot by the time he left the game with 6:24 minutes left in the game and ASVEL within 67-59. All told, Strazel collected 2 points on 0-of-1 shooting and 2-of-2 free throws, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 2 turnovers for an index rating of 9. Also what you can see from the video is Strazel’s excellent energy on the bench - which you see in the video after William Howard’s three-pointer to tie the game 67-67 as well as right after the game (easy to spot with the pink shoes).
Hazer scores first points in EuroLeague
One of the less-reported off-season moves for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul was bringing in Turkish talent Sehmus Hazer, who arrived from Besiktas. The 1999-born wing took advantage of Fenerbahce’s humiliation of UNICS Kazan (80-41) by getting to play 10:51 minutes in which in scored 4 points on 1-of-1 shots and 2-of-2 free throws to go with 1 assist and 3 fouls drawn for an index rating of 7. The above video is of his first points in the EuroLeague - he actually made his EuroLeague debut in Round 2 with 33 seconds against Panathinaikos OPAP Athens - but try to go back and check out his massive dunk attempt, on which he was fouled and then went to the line for his free throws.
Mannion to debut this weekend for Virtus
There was good news from Italy as Nico Mannion will finally make his debut with Virtus Segafredo Bologna this weekend. Mannion has been out of action since his arrival at Virtus with a severe intestinal infection. Hopefully he is back to full health and EuroCup fans starting next week get to watch one of the most exciting young players in the league.
Shengelia and James … Crossed Paths
Why not take this opportunity for a basketball documentary … here is an excellently done feature from the EuroLeague about Toko Shengelia and Mike James. Enjoy.
Doumbouya signs two-way deal with Lakers
The wild last few weeks for Sekou Doumbouya took another spin as the Los Angeles Lakers announced they signed the French youngster on a two-way contract for the NBA and the G-League. Doumbouya was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Brookyln Nets on September 3. The small forward was then sent off to the Houston Rockets - along with a 2024 second-round draft pick - from the Nets for cash considerations. And now Doumbouya has landed with the Lakers. Doumbouya was a first round pick in 2019 and this is his third season in the NBA - even though he won’t turn 21 years old until December 23.