FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.08.2007 20:34

Acker, versatility for AXA Barça

Carles Cascante

His name is Alex Acker and he is the latest player to be signed by AXA FC Barcelona. He is a 24 year old guard from North America who was one of the revelations of last season’s Euroleague with Olympiakos.

A number 60 pick in the second round of the NBA draft with the Detroit Pistons, this athletic guard, who can also play in several other positions, had little luck in the NBA and decided to try Europe instead. He went to Olympiakos, coached by former Maccabi boss Pini Gherson, and was an immediate success. Born on January 21, 1983, in Compton (California), his first season in the States was a quiet one, playing in the NBA development league with the Fayetteville Patriots.

Fame in Europe

Acker made his name in Europe, where his first season produced an impressive average of 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. It was these stats that first attracted FC Barcelona to take a greater interest in the development of the player.

He has been brought in to provide cover for outgoing Juan Carlos Navarro. The former University of Pepperdine man will be of particular use in securing rebounds, one of his specialities. Alex Acker led exterior rebounds in last season’s Euroleague with an average of five a match.

Best performance against TAU

Alex Acker already knows what it is like to perform well against a Spanish side, for one of his outstanding displays last year was precisely against the Basque outfit Tau. That was on October 25, in the first phase of the Euroleague, when he scored 25 points and 13 rebounds (six offensive) and an evaluation of 34. The 1.96 metre American also did well against DKV Joventut of Badalona on March 22, stealing five balls and scoring 12 points and 7 rebounds.