Basketball Champions League: The 5 Icons of the Last 10 Years

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief

The Basketball Champions League (BCL) was launched in 2016 with a clear ambition: to reshape the landscape of European basketball by prioritizing sporting merit and fostering continental development. Over the past decade, the tournament has evolved into a prestigious battleground for both domestic league champions and rising forces. Selecting just five players to represent this era is a challenging task, with many legendary figures narrowly missing the cut. Though, the following five icons—through sustained success, championship victories, and statistical dominance—best embody this transformative period in the BCL’s history.

Maestro

Brazilian point guard Marcelinho Huertas, defying age with his brilliance, has become synonymous with the BCL. The league’s all-time leading assist man, Huertas elevated the pick-and-roll to an art form. He led Tenerife to the 2022 championship, earning Final Four MVP honors, and secured back-to-back Season MVP awards in 2024 and 2025. His ability to control the tempo and deliver in crucial moments consistently kept Tenerife at the forefront. Huertas is widely regarded as the gold standard of leadership, spanning the BCL’s inception to its modern, fast-paced era.

Savunmanın Dinamosu (The Dynamo of Defense)

Kendrick Perry’s BCL journey is a testament to relentless energy and professional growth. From his early days with Nizhny Novgorod to earning the Final Four MVP award with Unicaja in their 2024 championship run, Perry has transformed into one of the league’s premier two-way guards. He’s known for his aggressive, full-court defense and lightning-quick transition offense. His evolution from a high-volume scorer to a championship-winning floor leader solidifies his place as one of the most impactful guards in tournament history.

Verimli Motor (Efficient Engine)

Bonzie Colson’s impact on the BCL was both swift and undeniable. During his time with SIG Strasbourg, he delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in league history, earning the 2021 Season MVP award. A versatile forward capable of scoring from the post, mid-range, and beyond the three-point line, Colson was a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. His high basketball IQ and rebounding prowess allowed him to dominate games without needing a high volume of shots. Even after moving to Pınar Karşıyaka, his winning character and professionalism continued to be widely recognized throughout Europe.

Demir Adam (Iron Man)

Vojtech Hruban is one of the BCL’s most loyal figures and a pure scoring machine. The face of ERA Nymburk, the Czech forward became the first player in league history to surpass 1000 points. His consistency is truly remarkable. Each season, he made a difference with his elite outside shooting and smart off-ball movement. But he wasn’t just a shooter; his performance in big games helped elevate his team to challenge the giants of European basketball. Hruban’s career reflects the growth of the Champions League and the high-level talent across Europe.

Gücün Kulesi (Tower of Power)

Giorgi Shermadini is the all-time leading scorer in Basketball Champions League history. Playing alongside Huertas in Tenerife, he formed one of the most lethal duos in BCL history. His soft touch around the basket, elite screen setting, and rebounding strength made him nearly impossible to defend one-on-one. A cornerstone of the 2022 championship team, Shermadini’s statistical dominance in the paint and consistent performance make him the logical choice for Team of the Decade at the pivot position.

The Basketball Champions League has quickly established itself as a vital component of the European basketball landscape. These five players represent the best of the competition’s first decade, and their legacies will continue to inspire future generations of BCL stars. The league continues to evolve, and the 2025-26 season promises another chapter of exciting competition and unforgettable moments.