For the third consecutive year, RealGM presents the most outstanding players of Euroleague.

Victor Khryapa of CSKA Moscow is the winner of the RealGM Euroleague MVP award for the 2012-13 season. The 30-year-old forward has improved all of his main statistical numbers this season, averaging 10 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Khryapa has also helped his team, which holds a 23-5 record this season, to defeat Caja Laboral Vitoria in the playoffs to reach the Final Four.

For the second consecutive year, the RealGM Euroleague MVP award was given to a Russian player, as the winner of last season's prize was Andrei Kirilenko of CSKA Moscow.

The RealGM All-Euroleague First Team consists of Montepaschi's Bobby Brown and Olympiacos' Vassilis Spanoulis at guard, Khryapa and Maccabi's Shawn James at forward and CSKA's Nenad Krstic at center.

The RealGM All-Euroleague Second Team includes guards Jordan Farmar of Anadolu Efes and Zoran Planinic of Khimki, forwards Rudy Fernandez and Nikola Mirotic of Real and center Ante Tomic of Barcelona Regal.

Paul Davis of Khimki Moscow region is the winner of the Euroelague Rookie of the Year Award, while Aron Baynes (formerly of Union Olimpija before joining the San Antonio Spurs) was the RealGM pick to win the Most Improved Played Award.

Georgios Bartzokas of Olympiacos was named as the 2012-13 Euroleague Coach of the Year, while Kyle Hines (also from Olympiacos) is the winner of the 2012-13 Euroleague Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Euroleague MVP

Victor Khryapa (CSKA)

All-Euroleague 1st Team

Bobby Brown (Montepaschi): 18.8 points, 5.3 assists in 33 minutes

Vassilis Spanoulis (Olympiacos) - 14.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 30 minutes

Victor Khryapa (CSKA) - 10 points (45% 3FG), 7.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 28 minutes

Shawn James (Maccabi): 11.5 points (64% 2FG), 6.5 rebounds in 24 minutes  

Nenad Krstic (CSKA) - 13.6 points (63% 2FG), 4.6 rebounds in 24 minutes

All-Euroleague 2nd Team

Jordan Farmar (Anadolu Efes): 13.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 30 minutes

Zoran Planinic (Khimki): 12.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 31 minutes

Rudy Fernandez (Real): 13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 27 minutes

Nikola Mirotic (Real): 11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds in 25 minutes

Ante Tomic (Barcelona Regal) - 11.5 points (63% 2FG), 6.3 rebounds in 23 minutes

Sixth Man Award

Kyle Hines (Olympiacos) - 9.1 points, 5.9 rebounds in 20 minutes

Most Improved Player Award

Aron Baynes (Union Olimpija) - 13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds in 26 minutes

Coach of the Year

Georgios Bartzokas (Olympiacos)

Rookie of the Year

Paul Davis (Khimki)

All-Rookie 1st Team

Paul Davis (Khimki) - 13.4 points, 5.5 rebounds in 20 minutes

Ricky Hickman (Maccabi) - 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 29 minutes

Blake Schilb (Elan Chalon) - 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists in 33 minutes

Marcus Williams (Unicaja) - 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 22 minutes

Shelden Williams (Elan Chalon) - 11.3 points, 7.6 rebounds in 23 minutes

All-Rookie 2nd Team

Drew Gordon (Partizan) - 9.1 points, 7.5 rebounds in 29 minutes

Lukasz Koszarek (Asseco Prokom) - 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4 assists in 30 minutes

Kelvin Rivers (Khimki) - 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds in 26 minutes

Dashaun Wood (Alba) - 9.8 points, 2.5 assists in 24 minutes

Maik Zirbes (Brose Baskets) - 8.2 points, 5 rebounds in 20 minutes

Like Dahntay Jones before him, Patrick Beverley became a household name for all the wrong reasons this season. Unfortunately, his role in knocking Russell Westbrook out of the playoffs overshadowed his breakout performance over the last week. Six months ago, he was playing in Europe, a second round pick who had been unable to crack an NBA roster. Now, at the age of 24, he’s a key member of a playoff team. When the Houston Rockets went small and inserted him into the starting lineup before Game 2, it changed the dynamic of their first-round series with the Thunder.

They still might be swept, but Beverley’s emergence is why any playoff series is valuable for a young team. In the playoffs, the cream rises. Jeremy Lin, in contrast, has struggled to stay on the floor, even before his chest injury. Beverley is a far better fit with Harden in the backcourt, and when adjusted for minutes played, their regular season stats were fairly similar. He could be the Rockets' point guard of the future, a tremendous coup considering how they acquired him. He’s the new poster boy for the benefits of mining Europe for talent as well as a walking embarrassment for every point guard-hungry team in the league.

While few NBA fans could have named him at the beginning of the season, Beverley didn’t come out of nowhere. He was a four-star recruit in high school, the No. 65 player in the class of 2006. In his freshman season at Arkansas, he was the leading scorer on an NCAA Tournament team. Unfortunately, his collegiate career was cut short before his junior season, when an academic scandal forced him out of school and sent him to play in Ukraine as a 21-year-old. He was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and was one of the last cuts in Heat training camp in 2010.

At that point, Beverley became another basketball vagabond. Every year, the college game churns out dozens of NBA-caliber guards, far too many for the NBA to absorb. A 7’0 with NBA-caliber athleticism will get opportunities well into his 30’s, but a 6’0 with NBA-caliber athleticism can easily slip through the cracks. Unless a guard is an elite scorer or distributor, their chance to stick often comes down to being in the right place at the right time. Beverley already had his chance; there was no guarantee he would ever get another. At the age of 22, he was yesterday’s news.

That rejection can ruin a young player’s psyche. Most never make it back from the NBDL or Europe, where they quickly become out of sight, out of mind. Beverley wound up playing with Josh Childress and Linas Kleiza on Olympiacos, one of the top teams in Greece. In 2011, he moved to a feature role for Spartak St. Petersburg. In 2012, he was named MVP of the Eurocup, a year-round competition between the top mid-tier teams on the continent. Beverley filled up his team's stat sheet -- first in points and steals, second in rebounds and assists -- and lead Spartak to the Eurocup Finals.

His time overseas served him well, both on and off the court. Due to his combination of length (6’6 wingspan) and footspeed, he was always an extremely intriguing prospect defensively. However, as a 6’1 combo guard coming out of Arkansas, he was a marginal NBA prospect. In Europe, he improved as a decision-maker and passer, almost doubling his assist-to-turnover ratio from his college days. Just as important, he was forced to mature, as unprofessional players have a hard time surviving the grind overseas. It can be a humbling experience, especially for guys who have been pampered in AAU and college.

Any team in the NBA could have had him at the start of the season, but only the Rockets pulled the trigger. Beverley is one of 20 different players they’ve used, as they’ve churned the bottom of their roster to find the right pieces around Harden. It’s a credit to both Daryl Morey, who has left no stone unturned to find talent, and Kevin McHale, whose been uncommonly willing to give unknowns a chance. McHale is the rare coach who will play rookies, D-League players and European free agents. He’s running a legitimate meritocracy in Houston, as opposed to the tenure-system used by many.

As a result, Lin’s job could be in jeopardy headed into next season. He has the brand name and the bigger contract, but Beverley is a better complement to Harden. A guard who plays next to the Rockets star has to be a good shooter and defensive player, two of Lin’s weaknesses and Beverley’s strengths. Per-36 minutes, Beverley averaged more rebounds, steals and blocks than Lin. He had a better assist-to-turnover ratio as well as higher shooting percentages. There’s room for both in Houston, but Lin would be most effective as a sixth man with the freedom to dominate the ball on their second unit.

Even if Beverley stays on the bench, his signing will have been a huge win for the Rockets. They found a quality 24-year old PG in the middle of the season while teams like the Mavericks brought in Derek Fisher and Mike James. Similarly, the Lakers have struggled for years with their lack of perimeter athleticism, but instead of actively searching for a solution overseas, they were content to use guys (Steve Blake, Darius Morris, Chris Duhon) they knew weren’t good enough. How much better would Dallas and L.A. have been this season with Beverley in the backcourt?

Far too many organizations are blinded by NBA experience. There are thousands of professional basketball players in the world; it’s hard to believe Fisher, Duhon and James are among the 450 best. Just as importantly, a player with five years of experience in the European leagues will be far cheaper than a five-year NBA veteran with similar ability. NBA teams are the same as any other company in modern America: why not take advantage of a globalized work force to cut labor costs? With the crippling luxury tax penalties in the new CBA, most won’t have a choice.

A decade from now, Beverley’s journey to the NBA may be closer to the norm. From Beverley to Alan Anderson, James Copeland, Gerald Green, Gary Neal and Pablo Prigioni, European free agents have proven they can hang with the best in the world. The European leagues are the perfect place for role players to develop: why take a chance on a 22-year old coming out of college or a 32-year old on the downside of his career when you can sign a 27-year old at his physical peak? There are a lot more Patrick Beverley’s out there, if only teams will open their eyes to find them.

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- All records and stats through Game 13 of Top-16. 

1. Blake Schilb - Elan Chalon-sur-Saone (France)

15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists in 33 minutes.

Former Loyola star Blake Schilb had a dream Euroleague debut season, averaging MVP-award-worth 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists per game. The 29-year-old forward had a major role in Elan Chalon-sur-Saone, where he averaged 32 minutes per game (3rd most in the league) and brought his team to the doorstep of Top 16. Moreover, he also leads the Euroleague in ORAT rating (the difference between his team's scored and allowed points per 100 possessions) - Elan Chalon-sur-Saone scored 24.2 points more while Schilb was on the court.

Schilb successfully used his versatility and made himself best known in regular season's game 9, when he finished the game against Montepaschi with 28 points, seven boards and five assists. Schilb's career game secured him an MVP of the week award and helped him to climb to the top of Euroleague rookie rankings.

2. Paul Davis - Khimki Moscow region (Russia)

13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds in 20 minutes.

Paul Davis is not only one of the best rookies in the Euroleague this season, but undoubtedly he should also be considered as one of the most productive players in the league as well. Formerly of the Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards, Davis, together with Panathinaikos' Sofoklis Schortsanitis, ranks 1st in terms of scoring in 50 possessions (19 points).

Davis, a very crafty big man, usually comes of Khimki's bench and becomes a difference maker when Moscow region team needs it most. Davis excelled in Top 16 stage as he finished in double digits in all 13 games so far and lately has been producing an MVP worth numbers.

3. Ricky Hickman - Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)

13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3 assists in 28 minutes.

Hungary, Romania, Germany, Finland, Italy - journeyman Ricky Hickman played for many different level teams in various countries prior getting a chance to finally taste Euroleague basketball. But his patience definitely paid off as Hickman quickly became one of the key players for Maccabi, even though he didn't have any previous experience playing neither in Eurocup nor Euroleage.

Hickman, averaging 13.9 points per game, has been one of the biggest offensive threats in the league, as he also ranks 3rd in received fouls per game (5.3). At the same time, the fact he's playing meaningful minutes on a Top 8 contender gives him an edge over other rookies. 

4. Shelden Williams - Elan Chalon-sur-Saone (France)

11.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in 23 minutes.

Before Shelden Williams made his debut in Europe, there was a question will he become another Euroleague bust coming from the benches of the NBA? However, it didn't take long for former Duke standout to silence those who questioned his abilities, as Williams immediately became a very productive Euroleague player.

Williams quickly established himself as an elite rebounder, ranking 3rd in rebounds (7.6) and 2nd in offensive rebounds (3.1). No surprise, Williams' performance didn't remain unnoticed and Fenerbahce Ulker made an effort to bring 6-foot-9 center for the Top 16 stage, but Williams remained in France for the rest of the season.

5. Marcus Williams - Unicaja Malaga (Spain)

10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 22 minutes.

Marcus Williams is another veteran American player who has succeeded by using his six-year professional experience in either the NBA, Russia or China. The 27-year-old playmaker instantly contributed, helping Unicaja to have a great 7-1 start in Euroleague, while Williams played big minutes replacing starting point guard Earl Calloway during that stretch.

However, Williams established himself as one of the best lefty point guards in the league, who is not afraid to shoot from beyond the arc. Williams is ranked 3rd in made three-pointers (48) and hit three or more long distance shots in nine Euroleague games this season. Despite that, Williams has been too inconsistent on his debut season to prove he can be a starter on a winning team, as he failed to produce big numbers on a nightly basis.

6. Drew Gordon - Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)

9.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in 29 minutes.

Partizan Belgrade is known as a great place not only for young European talents, but also for college graduates who want to kick-start their career in the Top European league. Oliver Lafayette, Curtis Jerrells and others made their name known with Partizan, and 22-year-old Drew Gordon is next on the list.

The former UCLA and New Mexico star, Gordon had a smooth transition to the European basketball style and successfully used his main weapons, rebounding and defensive skills. Due to his athleticism, Gordon ranked 4th in rebounds per game (7.5), 10th in blocks (1.1) and was one of the most influential players on the defensive end of the floor in the league. Despite that, his limited offensive game and poor results of Partizan kept him away from being ranked higher than 6th place in the Euroleague rookie ladder.

7. Leo Westermann - Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)

9.6 points (43% 3FG), 2.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 29 minutes.

Gordon's teammate, Leo Westermann, is the youngest and the first non-American player in the Euroleague rookie ranking. Despite a rough Euroleague start, the 20-year-old guard quickly earned the trust of Partizan head coach Dusko Vujosevic and had a very rare a chance to learn by playing and making mistakes against the best.

As usual for young prospects, Westermann led the league in received personal fouls per game (3.7) and ranked 7th in turnovers (2.7). His first season in the elite competition didn’t answer any questions, as Westermann remains a future player of Partizan with two years left on his deal.

8. Dashaun Wood - Alba Berlin (Germany)

9.8 points (43% 3FG) and 2.5 assists in 24 minutes.

Dashaun Wood is clearly worthy of inclusion on this list as one of the Euroleague's Top 10 rookies this season, but things definitely could have gone better for the 27-year-old guard. After leading the Eurocup in assists (5.4) and averaging 14.2 points per game in the second top European competition, Wood expected to be a dominating offensive player in the Euroleague too.

In fact, after the departure of head coach Gordon Herbert, Wood had to face a decreased playing time, impacting his game, and his statistical numbers dropped to 9.8 points and 2.5 assists per game. On a better note, Wood proved to be an elite shooter, making 43% of his long distance shots, and he’s worth getting a new offer from a Euroleague team as his contract with Alba ends this season.

9. Nemanja Nedovic - Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania)

9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 23 minutes.

In his Euroleague debut season, Nemanja Nedovic reminded a yo-yo guy with many ups and downs. The 22-year-old guard had a slow start but after Darius Maskoliunas replaced Alexander Djikic as a new head coach of Lietuvos Rytas, Nedovic’s adjustment was accelerated by received more playing time.

In front of NBA scouts, Nedovic had a 1-for-9 shooting from the field performance against CSKA, 6-for-15 against FC Barcelona Regal and 3-for-15 versus Brose Baskets. Clearly, Nedovic remains a rough, athletically gifted talent, who, as most of young players, lacks consistency. Moreover, Nedovic proved to be more of a ‘work in progress’, rather than a player who could make a difference right away.

10. Kelvin Rivers - Khimki Moscow region (Russia)

9.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 26 minutes.

Kelvin Rivers, 26, spent three seasons in Eurocup prior joining Euroleague, but still struggled to adapt to the second best league in the world. Rivers, who once made eight three-pointers in a single NCAA game, has struggled from beyond the arc in the first half of the season, making only 23% of his long distance shots. However, the percentage rose by 27% in the Top 16 as Rivers made 24-of-48 three-pointers he took.

Khimki became dependent on Rivers scoring as Moscow region's team is 6-1 this season when Rivers scored 14 points or more. Still, Rivers game remains very unpredictable as for example, in the middle of Top 16, former Clemson star scored 16 points against Caja Laboral and went scoreless versus Olympiakos in the next week's game. Then Rivers put 14 points against Besiktas; again was held scoreless versus FC Barcelona Regal, and scored 19 against Montepaschi. 16-0-14-0-19 points performance best illustrates Rivers' roller-coaster ride in the Euroleague debut season.

Honorable Mentions: Lukasz Koszarek, Rasid Mahalbasic, Asseco Prokom; Miro Bilan, Cedevita.