Jokers. 10 contenders for 6th Man of the Year

The VTB United League will hand out several individual awards at the end of the regular season. Over the next couple of weeks, VTB-League.com will profile the top contenders for each prize, starting with the 6th Man of the Year.

Besides giving the starters a rest, many bench players are able to have a sizeable impact on the game and even function as leaders.
VTB-League.com names the top 10 contenders for this season 6th Man of the Year. To be considered for the award, a player must have started at least 50% of his team's games on the bench.

Roope Ahonen, Bisons guard

Stats: Started 19 of 26 games on the bench (22.2 minutes), averaging 9.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and an efficiency rating of 7.9.

The Finnish guard does a great job contributing from the bench. Ahonen can shake games up with his 3-point shooting and isn't afraid to take a big shot down the stretch. Bisons coach Greg Gibson prefers that Ahonen come off the bench.

Artem Vikhrov, Zenit guard

Stats: Started 15 of 20 games on the bench (25.3 minutes), averaging 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and an efficiency rating of 7.1.

The 22-year-old guard has made amazing progress this season and turned into one of Zenit's key players. Vasily Karasev has put a lot of trust in the young man, giving Vikhrov 25 minutes per game off the bench (4th most on the team).

Micah Downs, Avtodor forward

Stats: Started 21 of 24 games on the bench (26.3 minutes), averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and an efficiency rating of 14.1.

The American forward needed two months to adapt to coming off the bench before surging into contention for the 6th Man award after several brilliant games. The Avtodor star is putting up big numbers and helps complement Saratov leaders Kyrylo Fesenko and Courtney Fortson.

Nando de Colo, CSKA guard

Stats: Started 12 of 20 games on the bench (23.4 minutes), averaging 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and an efficiency rating of 15.3.

CSKA coach Dimitris Itoudis has tried out a lot of different starting lineups. Surprisingly, de Colo starts the game on the bench more often than not. That hasn't affected his numbers in his debut VTB United League season. De Colo adapted quickly to CSKA and leads the team in points scored and efficiency rating.

Curtis Jerrells, UNICS guard

Stats: Started 18 of 22 games on the bench (26.3 minutes), averaging 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and an efficiency rating of 9.1.

Curtis Jerrells is an explosive scorer, capable of torching opponents in the 1st quarter or the final minutes of a game. Kazan head coach Evgeny Pashutin brings Jerrells in when he needs a spark and added toughness. Jerrells is also great at passing the ball, averaging four assists per game, 2nd best in the league among bench players.

Petteri Koponen, Khimki guard

Stats: Started 12 of 23 games on the bench (27.2 minutes), averaging 15.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and an efficiency rating of 16.6.

Among Europe's best guards over the past several season, teams across the continent and the NBA have been in hot pursuit of the Khimki star. Koponen enjoys coming off the bench for Moscow Region, averaging just over 27 minutes per game. He's first on the team in efficiency rating and second in assists and scoring.

Kyle Landry, Zenit center

Stats: Started 14 of 21 games on the bench (24.3 minutes), 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and an efficiency rating of 15.3.

St. Petersburg's success is tied in large part to Kyle Landry's progress. He continues to come off the bench in most games, just like he did for Triumph. But he's one of the team's best players, leading the club in rebounding and second in scoring behind Walter Hodge. The versatile big man is enjoying the best season of his career.

Rasid Mahalbasic, Astana forward

Stats: Started 22 of 25 games on the bench (23.6 minutes), averaging 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and an efficiency rating of 17.4.

Rasid Mahalbasic's role as the 6th man helps Astana enjoy an advantage in the paint for almost 40 minutes every game. The Slovenian center adjusted very quickly to his job this season, improving statistically in every category. Mahalbasic leads Astana in efficiency rating and ranks second in scoring and rebounding.

Krunoslav Simon, Lokomotiv-Kuban guard

Stats: Started 17 of 20 games on the bench (27.3 minutes), averaging 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and an efficiency rating of 13.2.

Krunoslav Simon was moved to the bench this season, but his playing time has increased, helping him boost his numbers and impact. He's scoring 12.3 points per game, up 2.4 points from last season, while dishing out 3.8 assists (3.1 assists in 2013-14). When the game is on the line, Lokomotiv often looks to Simon for the big shot or play.

Milos Teodosic, CSKA guard

Stats: Started 18 of 19 games on the bench (25.8 minutes), averaging 12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and an efficiency rating of 14.2.

Dimitris Itoudis decided to bring Teodosic off the bench at the start of the season, a gutsy move that has paid off in spades. CSKA is at the top of the standings, while Teodosic continues to be one of the league's most efficient players. The Serbian guard leads the team in minutes and assists.