Experience is precious, which is why several 7DAYS EuroCup teams made sure to add former champions to their rosters this summer.
EuroCup signings: Former champs
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Experience is precious, which is why several 7DAYS EuroCup teams made sure to add veteran players over the summer who do not bring just years of playing at the highest level, but know how to win, too. Seven former EuroCup champions returned to the competition this summer, and another changed clubs, showing just how valuable experience is for teams striving for EuroCup glory.
Vladimir Micov, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
Micov has played only one EuroCup season in the past decade, but it was a memorable one in which he averaged 12.9 points in helping lead Galatasaray Istanbul to the 2016 crown. Micov's career started ascending in his two seasons with Buducnost, back from 2007 to 2009. More than a decade later, he is down for a third stint with Buducnost. In the meantime, he played in three EuroLeague Final Fours and returns as one of the biggest stars in the competition.
Errick McCollum, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar
Always a candidate to be the top scorer in any competition he plays, Errick McCollum returns to the EuroCup where he ranks as the fourth-best scorer of all time. McCollum has averaged 17.0 points and 3.0 assists over his 72 career EuroCup appearances, which speaks volumes about the scoring threat he presents. He was also the EuroCup MVP when he led Galatasaray to the title in 2016. McCollum is a two-time All-EuroCup selection and he will be a central piece for Lokomotiv as the team seeks to contend for a title.
Victor Claver, Valencia Basket
Claver not only returned to the EuroCup this summer, but came back home. Claver started his career with Valencia, his hometown club, and helped the team win the EuroCup in 2010, when he was also chosen as the EuroCup Rising Star. Claver also reached the EuroCup title game in 2012, which was the last game he played in the competition. Throughout his career, Claver has made his presence count on both ends of the floor and the 32-year old forward is hyped to make an impact in his return to the EuroCup.
JaJuan Johnson, Turk Telekom Ankara
Johnson has not been away from the EuroCup for long. Johnson was huge for Darussafaka Istanbul in its 2017-18 campaign on the way to the title and he helped Lokomotiv reach the quarterfinals a year later. Johnson has 62 appearances in the EuroCup and career averages of 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Johnson has joined Turk Telekom intending to be a force to be reckoned with once again.
Jeff Brooks, Umana Reyer Venice
Brooks played at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four last season with AX Armani Exchange Milan. It was his third season in the fashion capital and fourth consecutive in the EuroLeague. Before Milan, he was with Unicaja Malaga, which he helped win the EuroCup in 2017. That was also the last time the 32-year old forward played in the EuroCup, where he now returns as a former champ and a player who will add plenty of toughness into Reyer's frontcourt.
Stanton Kidd, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar
Kidd returns to the EuroCup where he previously played only one season, but in that one, he helped Darussafaka win the 2018 crown. In the EuroCup Finals that year, Kidd and Darussafaka beat Lokomotiv. Kidd is a valuable cog for any team on both ends of the floor and could be just what the doctor ordered for Lokomotiv, which has plenty of offensive firepower, but needs the presence and experience of Kidd to give the team more balance.
Will Cummings, Boulogne Metropolitans 92
The only player in this select company who changed EuroCup clubs this summer, Cummings is three years removed from winning the EuroCup crown, which he lifted with Darussafaka in 2018 when he had an immense contribution in that title-winning run. Cummings is now ready to take the reins of the offense at Metropolitans, where he arrives after spending the last two seasons with Lokomotiv. Last season he posted 12.0 points and 2.5 assists while helping Lokomotiv reach the quarterfinals.
Guillem Vives, Joventut Badalona
Vives returns home to the club where he grew up after spending seven seasons with Valencia Basket. During his time with Valencia, Vives helped the team win the 2019 EuroCup and reach the competition finals in 2017. He has 64 appearances in the EuroCup, but despite modest averages of 4.9 points and 2.9 assists, Vives is a 28-year-old point guard entering his prime who has been playing at the elite level essentially since turning pro and is poised to be a difference-maker for Joventut.