Sergio Rodriguez named Euroleague MVP

Euroleague Basketball is pleased to announce that Sergio Rodriguez has been voted the bwin MVP for the 2013-14 season. Rodriguez received his MVP trophy Thursday at the EFES Euroleague Awards Ceremony at Piazza del Duomo, where he was honored alongside his fellow members of the 2013-14 All-Euroleague First Team. The ceremony was one of the first official acts of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Milan. Rodriguez was chosen league MVP in voting conducted among fans and journalists from across Europe and beyond. Rodriguez rose above by playing a brilliant campaign even though he came off the bench as a substitute in every one of Madrid's Euroleague contests. He embraced his role as a supersub, whether coming on court to join the starters or taking control the go-to scorer and passer with Madrid's second unit. And when the game was on the line, Rodriguez was there for Coach Pablo Laso every time. In fact, his 145 fourth-quarter points this season were by far the most on Madrid, which broke the Euroleague's team record for total scoring this season. This marks the second time the Euroleague MVP has been awarded to a sixth man; Theo Papaloukas won the award with CSKA Moscow in 2007. Statistics shine some light on Rodriguez’s stellar campaign. He led Madrid in both scoring (13.5 ppg.) and assists (5 apg.) despite playing the fourth-most minutes on the team. Rodriguez ranked fourth in the league in three-point shooting accuracy (48.8%), fifth in average assists, seventh in performance index rating (15.7) and was also among the league's top 10 in free throw accuracy (89.2%) and steals (1.2 spg.). His true greatness is best viewed in per-minute stats; Rodriguez led the league in assists (8.8 apg. prorated over 40 minutes), was second in performance index rating (27.7 per 40) and third in scoring (23.9 ppg. per 40). During the regular season, Rodriguez set Madrid club records for most assists (11) in a Euroleague game this century and most three-pointers without a miss, 6, in one game. marked Rodriguez's fourth season wearing the white uniform of Real Madrid and the best to date, thanks to his career-high averages in nearly every statistical category. Rodriguez began his career in Madrid with rival club Estudiantes before playing four seasons in the NBA with three clubs. He returned home in 2010 with Real Madrid and has emerged as a key piece in the team's resurgence and growing reputation as one of the most fun-to-watch teams in basketball. Since signing, Rodriguez has helped Madrid reach three Final Fours in four seasons, and now heads into the latest one in Milan as the Euroleague's new bwin MVP!