Jared Harper's Historic Achievement
Hapoel Jerusalem guard Jared Harper has been named the EuroCup MVP for the 2025/2026 season, making history as the first player ever to win the prestigious award in consecutive years. The EuroCup is Europe's second-tier continental club competition, just below the EuroLeague. The voting process for the award involved:
- Head coaches of EuroCup teams (35%)
- Team captains (35%)
- Media representatives (20%)
- Fans (10%)
During the regular season, Harper delivered outstanding performances, finishing second in scoring with an average of 19.5 points per game and second in efficiency rating at 22.2. He was the only player to score at least 10 points in every single regular season game. Notably, in round 17, he scored 30 points against U-BT. Harper was named the Round MVP three times: in round 5 with an efficiency rating of 36, in round 6 with 37, and in round 17 with 33.
Ukraine's National Team in World Cup Qualifying
In related basketball news, the Ukrainian national team continues its campaign to qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. In the fourth qualifying round, Ukraine suffered a 78:64 defeat to Spain. Earlier, in the third round, Spain had also defeated Ukraine, 86:66. However, Ukraine secured an 88:71 victory over Denmark in the second round and began its qualification campaign with a 92:79 win against Georgia.
In the match against Georgia, Oleksandr Kovliar was the top scorer with 31 points. The performance of Oleksandr Lipovyi, who contributed 13 points, and Viacheslav Bobrov, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds, was also noteworthy. These dual storylines—Harper's individual excellence and the national team's qualifying efforts—highlight the current state and international presence of Ukrainian basketball.
Harper's repeat MVP win underscores the growing prominence and competitiveness of players with ties to Ukraine on the European stage, reflecting well on the country's basketball development. His consistent high-level play demonstrates significant skill and stability. Meanwhile, the national team is navigating a challenging World Cup qualification path, with mixed results so far that reveal both the difficulties faced and the potential for growth in future competitions.
As Jared Harper continues to shine on the European stage, it's worth exploring how other Ukrainian basketball players are making an impact both abroad and within the national team. Their performances contribute significantly to the growing reputation of Ukrainian basketball internationally. For a deeper look into the achievements and challenges faced by these athletes, see how Ukrainian players are faring overseas.