Will Cummings Leads Galatasaray’s BCL Surge

It was a familiar story for Galatasaray. When all around them were losing their heads, Will Cummings was putting his where most wouldn’t put their feet. Emmet Ryan on yet another headstrong effort in the Basketball Champions League. This one, of course, got them past Tenerife and into Sunday’s final.

It is the one certainty when you watch Galatasaray play. Win or lose, Will Cummings will bring old man grit on a phenomenally consistent basis. Tenerife knew they were going to get plenty of that in Athens.

A wise old head

Consider the opponent for a moment. Tenerife had Marcelinho Huertas (41 years old), Aaron Doornekamp (39), Giorgi Shermadini (36), and Tim Abromaitis (35) all bring comically old man ball to this game. While normal such age profiles aren’t exactly welcomed in this sport, the islanders have consistently proven it to be an advantage in the Basketball Champions League.

Will Cummings of Galatasaray is a baby by comparison at just 32 years old. Yet here he was playing arguably the most old man game of the lot. Tenerife took a big lead? He knew there was lots of time to play with. Things got frustrating for James Palmer or Michael Young? Cummings was able to ease the stress. Any fear of Ebuka Izundu getting too much attention? No worries, Will can offer a distraction.

This was veteran basketball in truly every element of the game. Izundu is a really great comparison to make. The 29 year old is in his athletic prime and was showing it in full force in Athens. It makes sense to anyone that, even before you consider the difference in body type, that Cummings has to play a different game. There was no fuss to him but there was also no lack of courage.

BallinEurope is ramping up its YouTube game this season. Subscribe to our channel now for player exclusives, analysis videos, and much more.

Just bring it

There are many lovely and stylish aspects to the way Will Cummings plays. I am not here to talk about any of those. No, what makes Galatasaray tick above all else is the willingness of Cummings to drive right at people and seek contact.

That man must need an ice bath badly after every game and not because of his age. The desire to get contact was so vital to this side’s effort in the Basketball Champions League. Everyone in the BCL has scorers and workers. Having that guy who can consistently put up numbers while taking all kinds of punishment makes a difference at this level.

The sheer bloody-mindedness of Cummings guided Gala through the dark moments. Considering the final score, you might forget they had some. When Tenerife took a 15 point lead, everything about this game screamed of the standard business-like job by the Islanders. With a 14-0 record coming into this game, they had become predictable in how they took teams down. Then they ran into Will Cummings and an inspired Galatasaray.

BallinEurope has a book, a real life actual book called I Like it Loud, and you can buy it on Amazon now. It’s here as a book and here in Kindle form.

Huge for the present

This win rather reminds me of what Virtus Bologna needed in 2019. Like this season’s version of Galatasaray, they were basically even for wins and losses in the league. Then, at the Basketball Champions League final four in Antwerp, they showed us all that the step up was there.

Galatasaray, in front of their biggest fan Ergin Ataman, had their statement win. Since their Eurocup title in 2016, it’s not like Gala have made all that much noise in this sport. Their football division may reign supreme in Turkey but, in basketball, Galatasaray have done well to be even the third best team in Istanbul never mind Turkey as a whole.

Now they are making people across the continent take notice. Ebuka Izundu brought the energy while Will Cummings brought the fight. The spirit this club wants to convey was oh so visible against Tenerife. The psychological importance of this can’t be understated.

Galatasaray fans have been waiting for almost a decade for this kind of moment.

Not a small deal for the future

Whatever happens in Sunday’s final, this run in the Basketball Champions League has been an unquestioned success for Galatasaray. They have brought a level of relevance back to the men’s basketball department in the club that hasn’t been present in close to a decade.

It has come with a mix of energy and grit. All of this was fuelled by the unending belief of Will Cummings. Palmer has polish and Izundu has power but Cummings has that edge to him that’s needed to take care of business.

The mentality needed for Galatasaray to bring its men’s basketball department forward is there now. The Euroleague clubs in Istanbul, Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes, naturally have more resources but Gala have hope. The basketball foundations are there to be something better and they have targets to aim for. Adding a trophy along the way would be nice.

The post Will Cummings Leads Galatasaray’s BCL Surge appeared first on BallinEurope.