Maledon leads the ranking in ACB after five rounds

Theo Maledon is having an exceptional start to the season with Real Madrid under Pedro Martínez, topping the efficiency rankings in the Liga Endesa. With an average of 25.8 points after five games, the French point guard has surpassed Jassel Pérez (23.8), TJ Shorts (21.6), and Francis Alonso (21.2). This leadership represents a considerable statistical anomaly: seven point guards and shooting guards occupy the top ten positions, while historically the interiors have monopolized these spots. Amine Noua is the only center in the twenties, sitting fifth with a valuation of 20, followed by Dominik Mavra (19), Ricky Rubio (18.6), Zach Perrin (17.4), Marcelinho Huertas (17.2), and Tryggvi Hlinason (17.2).

The Maledon Phenomenon: Sustainability or Tactical Mirage?

Maledon's performance in these first five games presents impressive figures: 18.4 points, 3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 6 fouls received, and that 25.8 valuation that places him at the top. However, a detailed analysis reveals that his offensive explosion rests on a fragile pillar: accuracy from three-point range. The French point guard has made 12 of 16 three-pointers, reaching an unreal 75% that no player can sustain over an entire season. This unsustainable number largely explains his current supremacy in valuation.

His efficiency in free throws complements this picture: 92.3% accuracy, being the player who scores the most free throws per game with 7.2. This statistic is particularly relevant because it indicates that Maledon not only scores from the outside but also generates contact actions that allow him to get to the free-throw line. However, his two-point shooting percentage (40%) is below his usual standards, suggesting room for improvement in the paint. As the season progresses, it is likely that his three-point percentage will decline towards more realistic values, but this drop could be partially offset by an improvement in two-point efficiency.

In the EuroLeague, the picture is different. Maledon records 15.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and a valuation of 18.6, placing him tenth in the European rankings. The key difference again lies in the three-pointer: he has only converted 5 of 21 (23.8%), while in two-point shots he reaches 47.5%. This disparity in three-point percentage between both competitions suggests that in the ACB he is enjoying an exceptional streak that logically must normalize. In the EuroLeague, on the other hand, there is potential to improve both facets of the game.

Mike Anderson, the Only Point Guard to Conquer the Valuation

To contextualize Maledon's potential achievement, it is essential to go back to Mike Anderson, the only pure point guard in ACB history who has led the average valuation ranking in a season. Anderson, although American, had a brilliant career in the Spanish league characterized by his ability to compete in the paint despite his small stature (1.84 meters). His debut with Real Madrid under George Karl was not particularly fruitful, but his later return solidified him as a determining figure in several teams.

The turning point came in the 1994/95 season with Murcia, when Anderson finished third in valuation with an average of 25.4 points, behind Kenny Green (26.5) and Arvydas Sabonis (33.2). However, his moment of glory came a year later. In 1995/96, leading Caja San Fernando, Anderson topped the ranking with an average of 27 valuation, along with 22.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.6 steals, and 7.3 fouls received. That season, the team reached the ACB final, establishing Anderson as a key figure. His last season in the Spanish league (1996/97) allowed him to finish fifth with 23.1 valuation, although his team missed the playoffs.

Anderson's uniqueness lies in the fact that he was able to compete against significantly taller players, grabbing an average of 2 offensive rebounds per game and exploiting every contact to generate baskets in the paint. His defensive versatility and leadership skills compensated for his physical limitations, allowing him to reach a historical milestone that remains unique among pure point guards.

Exceptional Guards: Musa, Jackson, and Other Candidates

Although only Mike Anderson has led the ranking as a pure point guard, three other guards have reached the first position: Dzanan Musa, Edwin Jackson, and depending on the positional ranking, some forwards who played power forward roles. Musa, with Río Breogán in 2021/22, recorded an average valuation of 23.1 with 20.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. The Bosnian became an idol in Lugo, leading the team to the Copa del Rey and earning recognition as one of the club's legends.

Edwin Jackson, for his part, arrived at Movistar Estudiantes after spells with Barcelona and Unicaja as a rotation player. With the Madrid team, he assumed full prominence and led the valuation with an average of 21.8 points, supported by 21.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Jackson, despite his considerable wingspan, officially stands at 1.90 meters, making him the second shortest to lead this ranking after Mike Anderson. Both share the distinction of having reached leadership without exceeding two meters in height, an achievement that underscores their exceptional performance.

Other names like Essie Hollis, Walter Hermann, Andy Panko, and Alfonso Johnson have also led at some point, although their positional classification is more ambiguous. Hollis, for example, was an exterior player who spent considerable time in the paint, throwing down dunks and blocks. Walter Hermann and Andy Panko were forwards who played the power forward position for entire seasons. Alfonso Johnson was categorized as a 3-4, while Walter Berry played multiple roles on offense, mainly from the power forward position. This diversity of profiles underscores how valuation, as a statistic, structurally favors interiors.

The Historical Dominance of Interiors and Current Candidates

The hegemony of centers and power forwards in the valuation rankings of the ACB is almost absolute. In the thirty seasons analyzed, interiors have led more than 90% of the time. The reasons are structural: big men generate points, lead rebounding (a key statistic), accumulate fouls received from playing with constant contact, record blocks, and lose fewer balls by dribbling less. Additionally, their shooting percentages are higher when playing near the rim. Luka Bozic (24.3), Ante Tomic (20.6), Chima Moneke (20.4), and Edy Tavares (18.5) have topped recent seasons, perpetuating this trend.

Currently, after five rounds, several guards threaten to disrupt this historical balance. Besides Maledon, TJ Shorts ranks third with a valuation of 21.6. The American point guard, known for being the shortest to accumulate distinctions in multiple European competitions, could become the shortest player to lead this ranking if he maintains his performance. Jassel Pérez (23.8) and Francis Alonso (21.2) complete the group of standout guards, although both primarily play as shooting guards, complicating their classification as pure point guards.

Jean Montero, the talented Dominican point guard playing for Real Madrid under Pedro Martínez, has come very close to leading in recent seasons. In 2025/26 he finished third with 18.7 (far from Bozic's 24.3), in 2024/25 second with 18.9 (close to Tomic's 20.6), and in 2023/24 second with exactly 20 points, just 0.4 behind Chima Moneke when playing with MoraBanc Andorra. Montero, at 1.88 meters, represents another example of an exceptional guard capable of competing on equal terms with dominant interiors.

It is premature to make predictions after only five rounds, but the current landscape suggests that the ACB could witness a historic change. Maledon, Shorts, and other guards are showing that valuation is not an exclusive domain of the centers. However, history indicates that streaks normalize and that structurally favored interiors will regain dominance as the competition progresses. The coming weeks will be crucial to determine if we are facing a sustainable phenomenon or a statistical illusion that will disappear with the normalization of percentages.

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