From Kevin Punter and Tyler Dorsey to Carlik Jones, T.J. Shorts and Sylvain Francisco, the opening three rounds have underlined the influence of backcourt players across European basketball.
With the first double-round week complete, guards have already set the tone. They are scoring, organising and forcing defences to adjust their priorities. The opening three rounds strengthen the impression that backcourt quality will once again have a major influence on the season.
Kevin Punter is averaging 20 points for Barcelona, while Tyler Dorsey has opened with 19 per game for Olympiacos. Carlik Jones combines 18.7 points with 6.7 assists for unbeaten Partizan, illustrating how strongly a guard can influence both the scoring and the wider operation of an offence.
“HE LET ME ROCK.” ☘️ Sylvain Francisco on Željko Obradović after Panathinaikos beats Maccabi 90-67 and moves to 3-0. The freedom to attack. The responsibility to create. And yes, sometimes the yelling too. 😂 Next test: Fenerbahçe. #SylvainFrancisco #Panathinaikos #EuroLeague #SKWEEK
— SKWEEK (@SkweekSports) October 2, 2026
At Valencia, T.J. Shorts is producing 18.3 points and 6 assists per game. Sylvain Francisco is contributing 16 points and 3.7 assists for Panathinaikos. Different skill sets and different settings, but a shared responsibility: read the defence and create the first advantage.
That is where their value becomes clearest. A guard who threatens off the dribble can force an opposing big man further from the basket. Attacking the resulting gap brings help. Delivering the pass at the right moment creates space for a teammate. That sequence can send a well-organised defence into a series of rotations.
It also increases the value of having more than one reliable ball handler. When the main creator is under pressure or struggling, a second player can keep the offence moving. That becomes especially useful late in a close game, when space shrinks and there is less time to make a decision.
The early evidence strengthens the case for another season shaped by guards. Quality around the basket remains essential, while teams that consistently make good backcourt decisions have more ways to get the best out of their entire roster. As the season develops, that capacity could prove decisive.
