EJ Rowland named VTB United League regular-season MVP

VEF (Latvia) guard E.J. Rowland has been named 2012/13 VTB United League regular-season MVP. The announcement was made today at an awards ceremony in Moscow. Rowland received his prize from League President Sergey Ivanov and Vasily Titov, First Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board.

Four factors go into determining the regular-season MVP: The fan poll on VTB-League.com, efficiency ratings (an index of a player’s cumulative stats), monthly MVP and symbolic starting five honors, as well as VTB United League and Sport-Express experts’ opinions. E.J. Rowland earned 19 points in the MVP rankings to beat out Lokomotiv-Kuban guard Nicholas Calathes (12 points) and Zalgiris forward Ksistof Lavrinovic (nine points) for the title.

In 18 VTB United League games this season, Rowland averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and a 20.8 efficiency rating. The 30-year-old American led the league in scoring and efficiency rating, while finishing third overall in steals and assists. His play had a significant role in VEF’s breakout season. The team finished fourth in Group B at 11-7 and made the playoffs for the first time. Rowland also earned MVP of the Month honors in November, while making the League’s symbolic starting five in October and November.

Joining Rowland in the regular-season symbolic starting five, as determined by VTB United League and Sport-Express experts, are forwards Viktor Khryapa (CSKA) and Ksistof Lavrinovic (Zalgiris), center Paul Davis (Khimki) and guard Nicholas Calathes (Lokomotiv-Kuban).