The Euroleague Fantasy Challenge is back with a different look, some new, exciting features and the same one-of-a-kind prize: a VIP trip of a lifetime to the 2022 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany! It is an all-access ticket to the biggest and best basketball party on the continent, and right now, all teams have the same chances to win it, as everyone starts from scratch. There will be 10 players per team – five starters and five bench players – plus, for the first time, a head coach. The starting five, the sixth man and the coach are counted with 100% of their points, while the players on the bench get 50%. As in previous seasons, the team captain's score is worth double. Three trades will be allowed in between rounds, but as an extra move, you can also change your head coach.
Having a great start is critical to setting up your Fantasy Challenge team to reach the ultimate goal - and we are here to help you with weekly tips, highlighting which players are doing well and trying to predict who will have a great round. Make sure you join the game by clicking HERE!
Here are the first five names we recommend for Regular Season Round 1:
1. Mike James, AS Monaco (16.0 credits) - He is a late arrival and thus it may take him some time to fully adjust to a team full of new players, but James has been one of the best fantasy players in recent years and the fact that he joined a EuroLeague newcomer means that Monaco's offense should gravitate around him. And if you played the game in recent years, you know what James is capable of. If you buy a top-class player, he should be your first choice.
2. Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos Piraeus (11.2 credits) - It should be a breakout season for Sasha Vezenkov, as he has the chance to go from one of the best forwards in the competition to being an All-EuroLeague candidate. In the last 7 EuroLeague games last season, Vezenkov averaged 19.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 24.0. In other words, he is ready to lead Olympiacos from now on and that makes him a solid Fantasy Challenge choice.
3. Vladimir Lucic, FC Bayern Munich (11.7 credits) - Lucic made it to the All-EuroLeague First Team last season and even though Bayern changed a lot, he is expected to have even more responsibilities from now on. Fantasy-wise, he can score points in many ways and is an effective shooter. Lucic is ready to take his game to the next level and that is only good news for Fantasy Challenge managers!
4. Kyle Kuric, FC Barcelona (7.9 credits) - A cheaper option to balance your team. Alex Abrines is sidelined long-term due to injury (get well soon, Alex!) which means that Kuric will be his team's main bomber from downtown. Barcelona plays at home against high-scoring ALBA Berlin, and Kuric was the best three-point shooter (56.2% 3FG) in the EuroLeague last season. So, what's not to like?
5.- Edgaras Ulanovas, Zalgiris Kaunas (7.5 credits) - Ulanovas did not have good numbers last season, which makes him a bit cheaper in the game. He is back in Kaunas, however, and faces a challenging season to prove his value. Post skills, three-point shots, free-throw accuracy, silent leadership - you name it. Ulanovas should have an important role for always-ambitious Zalgiris. Go for him!