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2023-24 Roster Rundown: Valencia Basket

2023-24 Roster Rundown: Valencia Basket

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30 August 20237 Mins read

Entering year two of Valencia Basket's project under head coach Alex Mumbru, the Spanish team will be looking to build on its 15-19 record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season. Valencia returned to Europe's premier club basketball competition in the 2022-23 campaign after spending one year in the BKT EuroCup, but heading into the upcoming season, a place in the EuroLeague Playoffs is now in the club's sights.

BACKCOURT

It is going to be strange to talk about Valencia's backcourt and not discuss Sam Van Rossom, who departed the team this summer after spending the last 10 years at La Fonteta. Yet, a new era is fully underway for Coach Mumbru's side, with star guard Chris Jones keen to build on an impressive first season in Spain.

The American-born Armenian international posted 13.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 28 EuroLeague games for Valencia last season, resulting in the club offering him a three-year extension in late March. Jones is the player who makes things tick for Valencia, and his play will be vital if the team is to reach the postseason.

Two Americans will join Jones in the backcourt: Jared Harper, who is entering his sophomore EuroLeague season, and EuroLeague rookie Kassius Robertson. Despite his 1.78-meter size, Harper regularly impressed off the bench for Valencia during the previous campaign, reaching double figures for points in 18 of his 31 appearances.

Given the departures of Van Rossom, Jonah Radebaugh and Klemen Prepelic in the backcourt, more minutes could be in store for Harper. Robertson, meanwhile, will be keen to show what he can do at the highest level after shining with Obradoiro in the Spanish League.

Elsewhere, Martin Hermannsson made his long-awaited return from injury late last season and will be determined to reestablish himself entering the 2023-24 campaign, while Josep Puerto, who forced himself into Coach Mumbru's rotation in 2022-23, has the chance to keep growing with his hometown team. Youngsters Guillem Ferrando (21 years old), Sergio De Larrea (17) and Lucas Mari (17) will all be vying for minutes after appearing in the EuroLeague last season, too.

FRONTCOURT

At small forward, Valencia can call upon Xabi Lopez-Arostegui and Victor Claver, who is competing with Spain at this summer's FIBA World Cup. At 26 and 34, respectively, the two Spaniards offer different qualities for Coach Mumbru, but importantly they can both be trusted to play in key moments of a game.

Another player at the 3 who will be available for Coach Mumbru next season is new signing Semi Ojeleye, who averaged 10.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in his rookie EuroLeague season with Virtus Segafredo Bologna in 2022-23. The Nigerian-American forward brings an added layer of quality to Valencia, and he will no doubt become a fans' favorite if he hits the ground running at La Fonteta.

Two further signings fill out the 4 spots, as two-time BKT EuroCup winner Damien Inglis joined from Gran Canaria and blocking machine Nate Reuvers arrived from Reggio Emilia. Both players will appear in the EuroLeague for the first time in the 2023-24 season, although Inglis can lean on 53 games of experience in the EuroCup with Limoges, AS Monaco and Gran Canaria.

Inglis offers a big physical presence and is a threat offensively, averaging 9.6 points in the EuroCup last season, while Reuvers posted 9.8 points per game and also had the third-most blocks (1.2 bpg.) in the entire division.

Like Van Rossom, seeing Valencia without team captain Bojan Dubljevic is going to be an odd feeling. Dubljevic had been at Valencia since 2012, but his 11-year stay came to an end this summer.

Replacing his leadership may be difficult, but the club made a splash during this offseason with the addition of two-time All-EuroLeague center Brandon Davies. The American-born Uganda international is a different type of player to Dubljevic – he's more of a modern-day big compared to a traditional center – which should make for a quicker style of play on offense.

Another signing that arrived at the center position is Boubacar Toure, who is set to make his EuroLeague debut next season. The 27-year-old put up impressive numbers in the Turkish League with Tofas Bursa during the previous campaign, and he offers more of a defensive option at the 5 position. Jaime Pradilla, who is still just 22, will also compete with Davies and Toure for minutes at center, but he can also play at the 4 if needed, too.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Semi Ojeleye might have just signed for Valencia, but it's safe to say that he already feels at home at La Fonteta. Last season, the 28-year-old increased his averages to 17.5 points in his two games against Valencia – a jump of 7.0 points from his usual average – while he particularly shined in Virtus's road game at La Fonteta, recording career highs of 21 points and a 28 PIR.

Valencia will still be reliant on the play of star guard Chris Jones, but if Ojeleye and fellow new signing Brandon Davies can step up as two of the team's leaders on the court, Coach Mumbru's squad could go to a whole other level.

Ojeleye impressed in Valencia's preseason opener, scoring a game-high 15 points in a win against Joventut Badalona, but if he can consistently perform to a high level, he has the chance to be not only one of the club's star players but also one of the more dominant forces in the entire EuroLeague.

OUTLOOK

Valencia has said goodbye to two of its captains in Dubljevic and Van Rossom, with this clearly now Coach Mumbru's team. As such, expectation levels have increased and there will be pressure on Valencia to push for a spot in the playoffs. Valencia blew hot and cold at times last season, so one of the main keys will be to find a level of consistency in its play. Should it achieve that, the fans at La Fonteta could be in store for some playoff basketball.

It will not be easy, though. As seems to be the case in every offseason these days, all of the playoff-contending teams have got better. In addition to the eight teams that reached the postseason last year, Valencia will also be up against the likes of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Anadolu Efes Istanbul, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Panathinaikos Athens – all of whom missed the 2022-23 playoffs – in the race to make the top eight.

Valencia closed the last campaign with a 2-8 record in its last 10 games, but with a handful of new signings and Coach Mumbru having constructed a team more in his own image, there is optimism that the Spanish team could force its way into playoff contention. Yet, with the EuroLeague as competitive as ever, it is incredibly hard to judge. Only time will tell if some of Valencia's bets end up paying off.