Aleksa Stepanovic claims Azerbaijani ABL weekly honour

Serbian Aleksa Stepanovic (206-PF-1998, agency: 011 Sports) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for league's second-best Neftci IK Baku and that's him to receive a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 3.
The 28-year old power forward had a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds, while his team crushed Sumqayit (#6, 1-2) with 17-point margin 86-69. Neftci maintains the 2nd position in Azerbaijani ABL. They maintain a perfect record without any lost game in the league. But it's just the very beginning of the season and Neftci won both games without losing any. It's too early to say anything as the standings can be changed completely after next round. In the team's last game Stepanovic had a remarkable 80.0% from 2-point range. He turned to be Neftci's top player in his first season with the team. Stepanovic has impressive league stats. He is in league's top in points (8th best: 19.0ppg) and averages solid 75.0% FGP.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was young American forward Malek Green (201-F-1999) of Sumqayit BK. Green impressed basketball fans with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Bad luck as Sumqayit lost that game 69-86 to Neftci (2-0). The season is still at the very beginning and this lost game may not be such crucial, of course if they start win the games. Let's wait for the next round. Green is a newcomer at Sumqayit and it seems he did not have too much trouble to become one of team's leaders. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 22.0ppg (#3). He also registered 8.3 boards per game.

The third best performed player last round was another Neftci's star - American Zach Hicks (203-F-2003, agency: Octagon Europe). Hicks showcased his all-around game by recording 19 points, 14 rebounds (!!!) and 4 assists in the last round. He was another key player of Neftci IK Baku, helping his team with a 86-69 easy win against Sumqayit (#6, 1-2). Neftci has a very good start of the season. But there were just 2 games played, so it's too early to judge them at this stage. Hicks also has a very good start of the season with very strong stats. Hicks has a great season in Azerbaijan. After only 2 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 11.5rpg (3rd best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Michael Ertel II (187-G-1999) of Sabah - 21 points and 8 assists
5. Dasean Stevens (190-G) of Nakhchivan - 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists
6. J'Quan Ewing (206-F/C-2002) of NTD - 14 points and 14 rebounds
7. Bakary Camara (198-G-1998) of Gence - 15 points and 7 rebounds
8. Gerry Blakes (193-SG-1993) of Sabah - 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists
9. Milic Starovlah (199-SF-1998) of Neftci - 12 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists
10. Ifeanyichukwu Agbason (205-C-2009) of Sabah - 9 points and 8 rebounds

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.