Euroleague: Rudy Fernandez named Top 16 Week 6 MVP

Rudy Fernandez throws down a dunk against CSKA

For the third time this season, Rudy Fernandez is the week’s bwin MVP after sparkling in leading Real Madrid to victory. This time though, Fernandez outdid himself. Rudy recorded a double-double in setting career highs with 13 rebounds and performance index rating with 34, which led all players in this week’s Turkish Airlines Euroleague games. Fernandez also tied Montepaschi Siena guard Bobby Brown for the most weekly MVP crowns this season. He was the main catalyst as Madrid remained unbeaten in the Top 16 by besting CSKA Moscow 86-78 in overtime in the Spanish capital. Rudy amassed 20 points, by making 5 of 6 two-point baskets and 2 of 7 triples, as well as the aforementioned 13 rebounds plus 5 assists and 3 steals. Beyond his overall haul, Fernandez was involved in many of the game’s key plays, including two late rebounds to help preserve the game in overtime. He edged teammate Jaycee Carroll for the week’s MVP honors. Carroll erupted for a career-best 31 points on 6-of-8 three-point shooting in compiling a performance index of 30. Zalgiris Kaunas guard Marko Popovic turned in a fantastic effort with 22 points on 4of-7 three-point shooting, 5 assists and 2 steals for a 29 index in leading the Lithuanian champs over Alba Berlin 92-56. Rounding out the list of Top 16 Game 6 stars are Ante Tomic of FC Barcelona Regal and Bojan Bogdanovic of Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul, each with 28 indexes. Tomic led Barca past Montepaschi Siena 85-66 with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting in addition to 5 points and 5 rebounds. Bogdanovic scored 20 as well, including drawing 10 fouls and making 8 of 8 free throws, but was unable to prevent an 82-71 loss at defending champion Olympiacos.

Individual leaders: Dimitris Diamantidis of Panathinaikos, 9 assists

Carroll’s 31 points represented the most scored in Top 16 Game 6 and tied for the third in the stage thus far. Bobby Brown remains the Top 16’s premier scorer with an average of 21.8 points per game. Brose Baskets big man Sharrod Ford grabbed 14 rebounds to lead all players this week’s games. He is now sixth in the Top 16 with 6.6 rebounds per game. Viktor Khryapa is the leader with 8.2 per game. Former MVP Dimitris Diamantidis of Panathinaikos had the most assists this week with 9. His 5.8 assists per game trail only Zoran Planinic of BC Khimki Moscow Region’s 6.7 per game in the Top 16. Four players – Nemanja Bjelica of Caja Laboral Vitoria, Rudy Fernandez, Kristjan Kangur of Montepaschi Siena and Jamon Lucas of Anadolu Efes Istanbul – had 3 steals to lead all Top 16 Game 6 players. Lucas tops the Top 16 charts with 2.8 steals per game. CSKA center Sasha Kaun rejected 4 shots this week, more than any other player. He is tied for third in the Top 16 with 1.5 blocks per game; Tomas Ress of Siena leads all players with 2.3 blocks per game in the Top 16. Three players recorded Top 16 Game 6 double doubles: Rudy Fernandez, Sharod Ford (15 points, 14 rebounds) and Kerem Gonlum of Anadolu Efes (13 points, 10 rebounds).