The Euroleague's 50 best players: 20-11

The Euroleague’s 50 best players: 20-11

BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 18, 2018: Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul's Marko Guduric (L), Jan Vesely (2nd R) and Zalgiris Kaunas' Beno Udrih (2nd L) and Antanas Kavaliauskas (R) in action in their 2017/2018 Euroleague Final Four Semifinal B basketball match at Stark Arena. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav KrasilnikovTASS via Getty Images) /

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Charles Jenkins and Pau Ribas during the match between FC Barcelona and BC Khimki Moscu, corresponding to the week 30 of the Euroleague, played at the Palau Blaugrana on 05th April 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.— (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

19. Charles Jenkins, PG, Khimki Moscow

Nationality/College: American (Hofstra)

2017-18 stats: 6.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals per game (Khimki)

Career synopsis: Jenkins was selected 44th but the Golden State Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft, but only spent a season and a half with them, and another half season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He then transitioned over to Euroleague, where he has spent the last five seasons — three with Crvena Zvezda, one with Olimpia Milano, and this past year with Khimki Moscow.

Representative Highlight Play:

What’s his skill set?: Jenkins is an NBA-level point of attack defender. He routinely picks up opposing point guards at the opposing free throw line, and his pick-and-roll defense is textbook. He’s also able to switch up a position at times, and he’s led Euroleague in steals in 2017. Offensively he has played as either a primary ball-handler with Crvena Zvezda, or as a secondary ball-handler and low volume spot-up shooter with Milano and Khimki.

What makes him special?: Full disclosure: Jenkins is my favorite Euroleague player, so this ranking is probably a little high, but his ability to put the clamps on the best Euroleague guards is incredibly entertaining to watch. He pairs perfectly with Alexey Shved with Khimki, takking primary assignments on defense so Shved can rest and facilitating the offense on the other end. He’s easily one of the best defenders in Euroleague, and he is a joy to watch when he draws a player like Vassilis Spanoulis or Nick Calathes. He’s absolutely the Velvet Underground of Euroleague players — doesn’t get much love, but those that do love him defend him to death, just like he does on the floor night after night.

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