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Eurocup MVP Errick McCollum (older brother of Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum) led Istanbul’s Galatasaray to the Eurocup finals for the first time in the club’s history, and on Wednesday, led them to victory. McCollum scored 16 points in the final 78-67 victory over Strasbourg, leading all scorers along with teammate Stephane Lasme, who received Finals MVP honors.
Despite missing one month with a broken hand, the 28-year-old McCollum had an exceptional year, averaging 20.3 points per game during the regular season, and earning 1st team All-Eurocup recognition.
McCollum was the last player to arrive to Galatasaray but quickly became his team's leader, leaving no doubt about his all-around scoring skills from the very beginning of the season. McCollum opened the 2015-16 Eurocup with a 32-point performance in a road win against Neptunas Klaipeda, hitting 5-of-7 three-point shots and all 13 of his free throw attempts. He kept dominating early in the regular season, scoring more than 20 points in six of the first seven games. McCollum earned regular season Round 4 MVP honors in a win against Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd, in which he had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for a PIR of 36. He finished the regular season third in PIR (22.8) and scoring (20.3 ppg.), as well as fourth in fouls drawn (6.3 per game).
You can read more about Errick McCollum and his experience with international play, here.