Valencia Basketball Roster Breakdown: Key Players and New Signings for the Upcoming Season

As I sit down to analyze Valencia Basket's roster for the upcoming season, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and apprehension that comes with every preseason evaluation. Having followed this team through multiple championship cycles, I've developed a keen sense for what makes them tick, and this year's squad presents some fascinating dynamics. The extended playoff phase we saw last season has fundamentally changed how teams approach roster construction - and Valencia seems to have taken this to heart in their offseason moves. Because of the extended playoff phase, all these teams have to do is aim for a solid position in the elimination phase and take it from there, which means every player acquisition needs to serve that specific purpose rather than just adding talent for talent's sake.

Let me start with the cornerstone of this team - Mike Tobey. At 28 years old and standing 7 feet tall, Tobey represents the kind of veteran presence that championship teams are built around. I've always admired his basketball IQ, which often gets overlooked when people focus solely on his scoring numbers. Last season, he averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, but what impressed me most was his 68% true shooting percentage in crucial elimination games. That's the kind of efficiency that wins championships, and it's exactly why Valencia prioritized keeping him despite some lucrative offers from other EuroLeague teams. His ability to stretch the floor while maintaining a strong interior presence gives Valencia offensive flexibility that few teams can match.

Now, the new signing that has me particularly excited is Chris Jones. I've been watching his development closely since his college days, and his progression through the European basketball ranks has been remarkable. At 30 years old, he's entering what should be his prime years, and his stats from last season with ASVEL - 14.3 points and 5.1 assists per game - only tell part of the story. What really stands out to me is his defensive intensity and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. I remember watching him single-handedly take over games during last season's playoffs, and that's precisely the mentality Valencia needs. His addition addresses what I felt was the team's biggest weakness last season - consistent perimeter creation when the offense stagnated.

The backcourt pairing of Jones with veteran point guard Guillem Vives creates what I believe could be one of the most balanced guard rotations in the ACB. Vives, at 31 years old, brings that steady hand and institutional knowledge that every successful team needs. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.8:1 last season was among the league's best, and while he might not put up flashy numbers, he's the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. I've always appreciated players like Vives - the ones who understand their role perfectly and execute it with precision night after night.

What really fascinates me about this roster construction is how it aligns with the new reality of extended playoffs. Because teams now face this marathon before even reaching the elimination phase, depth becomes more crucial than ever. Valencia seems to have recognized this by building what I'd characterize as a "two-deep" roster at every position. Players like Klemen Prepelic and Martin Hermannsson provide scoring punch off the bench that would start for many other ACB teams. Prepelic's 42% shooting from three-point range last season gives Valencia a weapon that can completely change defensive schemes, while Hermannsson's versatility allows for multiple lineup configurations.

The frontcourt depth particularly stands out to me. Beyond Tobey, players like Bojan Dubljevic and Jasiel Rivero provide contrasting styles that can be deployed situationally. Dubljevic's basketball intelligence has always impressed me - he's one of those players who seems to always be in the right place at the right time. At 31 years old, he's developed into the perfect complementary big man, capable of spacing the floor or operating in the post. Rivero, on the other hand, brings explosive athleticism that can overwhelm opposing second units. His per-36-minute numbers last season - 18.4 points and 8.7 rebounds - suggest he could be primed for a breakout year if given increased minutes.

What I find most compelling about this roster is how it addresses the marathon nature of modern basketball seasons. Because of the extended playoff phase, teams can't just peak at the right time anymore - they need sustained excellence throughout the season to secure favorable positioning. Valencia's mix of veteran stability and youthful energy seems perfectly calibrated for this challenge. The experience of players like Sam Van Rossom (37 years old but still effective in limited minutes) provides that institutional memory that helps navigate the inevitable rough patches every team faces.

From my perspective, the key to Valencia's success this season will be managing minutes effectively during the grueling regular season. Coach Alex Mumbru needs to resist the temptation to overwork his starters early, trusting that the depth the front office has assembled can handle the regular season grind. I'd like to see players like Jones and Tobey averaging around 28-30 minutes per game during the first half of the season, preserving their legs for when it really matters. The luxury of having multiple capable ball-handlers should allow for this kind of strategic rest.

The international competitions add another layer of complexity that Valencia appears well-equipped to handle. With EuroLeague commitments testing the team's depth weekly, having reliable rotation players becomes non-negotiable. Players like Xabi Lopez-Arostegui and Victor Claver provide the kind of defensive versatility that wins games when shots aren't falling - something that happens to every team during long seasons. Claver's leadership in particular has always stood out to me - he's the type of veteran who can settle a team during turbulent moments.

As we look toward the season ahead, I'm genuinely optimistic about Valencia's chances. The roster construction demonstrates a clear understanding of modern basketball realities - it's not just about accumulating talent, but about building a cohesive unit that can withstand the marathon of a season and peak at the right time. The extended playoff format rewards teams with depth, versatility, and veteran savvy, and Valencia appears to have checked all these boxes. While nothing is guaranteed in professional basketball, this roster has the pieces to not just secure a solid elimination phase position, but to make some serious noise once they get there. The chemistry will need time to develop, and injuries are always the wild card, but from where I sit, Valencia has positioned themselves as legitimate contenders in what promises to be another thrilling ACB season.