Point guard Carlik Jones has been named EuroLeague MVP for March, a recognition that comes after his decisive influence in Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's resurgence, which posted a perfect 5-0 record during the final month of competition.
Jones's return to the court after being sidelined since Matchday 5 with an injury provided an immediate boost to the Serbian squad. When the player returned, Partizan was in 19th place with a 9-20 record, but from that point forward the team rattled off five consecutive victories, matching the best winning streak in the club's EuroLeague history.
During the five games played in March, the American point guard averaged 18.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 20.8 efficiency rating, along with 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He also stood out for his offensive efficiency, shooting 60% from two-point range.
His impact went beyond the numbers. With Jones on the court, Partizan clearly elevated its offensive production, surpassing 88 points in four of the five victories that month—a mark the team had only reached three times in the 23 games it played without him. Additionally, the point guard added three blocks, demonstrating his ability to contribute across all facets of the game.
Partizan's perfect month included important victories against playoff-contending rivals. The Belgrade squad defeated Virtus Bologna (82-88) and Dubai Basketball (88-74), in addition to beating Valencia Basket (110-104) in a thrilling matchup decided after two overtimes at the Belgrade Arena. They also secured wins against Paris Basketball (81-90) on the road and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (79-78) at home.
Among his most notable performances was the game against Valencia Basket, in which he posted 27 points—his best mark in the competition—accompanied by 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Nine of those points came during the two overtimes that sealed the Serbian team's victory.
Jones becomes the fourth Partizan player to win EuroLeague monthly MVP honors, following Milt Palacio (March 2008), Novica Velickovic (February 2009), and Aleks Maric (December 2009). With this recognition, the American point guard solidifies his role as one of the protagonists in the final stretch of the season in Europe's top competition.