Scouting Recently Drafted European Prospects Overseas
By Michael Schneid
Over the last few years, drafting international players has become more of a trend. Due to the NBA lockout, several college players chose to play overseas in 2012 while some 2011 draft picks, and recent year's picks are still overseas, continuing to develop before coming to the NBA to join their teams.
We look back at some of the recent draft picks and how they are doing overseas and when we might expect them to join their teams
European Players Recently Drafted
Jonas Valanciunas
NBA Team: Raptors
Draft: 2011 | Round 1 | Pick 5
Position: Center
Personal Stats: 20 years old. 7 ft, 240 lbs
From: Lithuania
Eurocup League stats: 16 GP, 23.3 mpg 10.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Valancuinas will join the Raptors in 2012-13 season now that his Lithuanian contract is up. Toronto drafted him knowing they would have to wait a year. Jonas will come in and play center and allow Bargnani to play more PF. He brings a defensive presence down low for Toronto. He is only 20 and only going to improve in the NBA. He did only average 23 minutes-per-game in the Euroleague so the Raptors must be smart and ease his transition into the NBA.
Donatas Motiejunas
NBA Team: Rockets
Draft: 2011 | Round 1 | Pick 20
Position: PF/C
Personal Stats: 21 years old, 7 ft, 215 lbs
From: Lithuania
Eurocup League stats: 10 gp, 31.3 mpg 12.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg
Rockets fans already have a nickname for Motiejunus - D-Mo. D-Mo got his name for coach Kevin McHale at a press conference shortly after the draft. D-Mo is expected to join Houston for 2012-13 season. He can have a big impact down low, where the Rockets have been looking for some to make their mark for a while now. Luis Scola, Pattrick Patterson, and Marcus Morris are the only forwards under contract new year. D-Mo did average over 30 minutes per game so the Rockets may throw him right into the fire. Motiejunas, plus this year's late lottery pick could finally push Houston into the playoffs.
Nikola Mirotic
NBA Team: Bulls
Draft: 2011 | Round 1 | Pick 21
Position: PF
Personal Stats: 21 years old, 6'10, 215 lbs
From: Spain
ACB League stats: 34 gp 20.2 mpg 8.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg
EuroCup League stats: 16 gp, 23 mpg, 12.5 pgg, 4.5 rpg
Mirotic was actually drafted by the Rockets and traded to the Wolves for Motiejunas. The Wolves than sent him to Chicago. Mirotuc has been training in Spain with the Under-20 team and averaged 27 and 10 last summer. He has been compared by some to Dirk Nowitzki. If the Bulls have the Spanish Dirk to go with Noah down low and Rose running the point, they may dominate the east for years to come. The question becomes when does Mirotic make the jump to the US?
Bojan Bogdanovic
NBA Team: Nets (acquired from Heat)
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 31 (1st in round two)
Position: SG/SF
Personal Stats: 23 years old, 6'8, 216 lbs
From: Croatia
Eurocup League stats: 16 gp, 24.3 mpg, 13 ppg
Turkish League stats: 32 gp, 23.2 mpg, 13.6 ppg
Boganovic was traded on draft night from the Heat to the Wolves for Norris Cole. The Wolves than shipped him to the Nets. Bogdanovich is a below average defender and considered rather one dimensional. Not listed above, he averaged 18 ppg with Cibona in the Euroleague and 18.9 ppg in Adriatic league in 2010. He is not much of a defender or rebounder but could could be a huge asset for Nets down the road. Bogdanovich could serve as an off-the-bench, rotational guy who can come in with the second unit and score. If the Nets bring him over in 2012, him and Marshon Brooks off the bench could really provide the Nets with a spark, depending of course on who starts for them.
Davis Bertans
NBA Team: Spurs
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 41
Postion: SF
Persona Stats: 19 years old, 6'10, 210 lbs
From: Latvia
Adriatic League stats: 13 gp, 16.8 mpg, 4.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg
Eurocup League stats: 10 gp, 15.6 mpg, 3 ppg, 2.2 rpg..... 28.2% fgs
Adriatic League stats: 11 gp, 3 ppg, 1 rpg
Bertans was drafted by the Pacers and traded to the Spurs. He is considered an excellent long range shooter. A 6'10 forward with a jump shot? Also sounds like Dirk. His defense and poor shot selection will hurt him in NBA. Bertans is considered a very talented player but raw in games. He is only 19 years old and needs more time to develop. He just signed a three and a half year deal in Serbia with KK Partizan. When his deal expires he will be 22. The Spurs can bring him to the US at that point, hopefully ready to play at that point.
Milan Macvan
NBA Team: Cavs
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 54
Position: PF/C
Personal Stats: 22 years old, 6'9, 265 lbs
From: Serbia
Adriatic Euroleague stats: 14 gp, 29.5 mpg, 13.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Eurocup League stats:10 gp, 31.6 mpg 15.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Macvan is a physically tough defender. Offensively, a pick-and-roll system suits him well as does playing a traditional low post game. He is not very athletic but can score in bunches and is an average rebounder. His 260 pound body allows him to grab rebounds using force, but with the strict rules now in the NBA, Macvan could be a fouling liability. You can see though, from his stats above, the kind of potential Macvan has.
Sergio Llull
NBA Team: Rockets (via trade with Nuggets)
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 34
Position: combo guard
Personal Stats: 24 years old, 6'3, 176 lbs
From: Spain
Eurocup League stats: 16 gp, 22 mpg, 7.4 ppg, 3.2 asts
ACB League stats: 34 gp, 24.6 mpg, 10.4 ppg, 4.2 apg
The Rockets acquired Lull's rights on draft night from the Nuggets. He was recently named MVP in the Copa del Rey tournament in Spain. People within the Houston organization compare him to current PGs Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic. Llull is a good defender and has great court vision. He is quick and plays with a lot of passion and energy. Llull is very interested in coming to the NBA, especially after witnessing the success of another Spanish PG, Ricky Rubio. Llull does not want to come over to sit on the bench however. He wants to play. Folks beleive he will play out his current contract and join the Rockets in 2013-14. We mentioned earlier what "D-Mo" can bring to the table for the Rockets, plus this year's lottery pick. Throw Llull into the mix and the Rockets have a very bright future ahead.
Giorgos Printezis
NBA Team: Knicks (acquired from Mavs via Spurs)
Drafted: 2007 | Round 2 | Pick 58
Position: SF/PF
Personal Stats: 27 years old, 6'9, 225 lbs
From: Greece
Eurocup League stats: 21 gp, 21.8 mpg, 10.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Greek League stats: 29 gp, 20.6 mpg, 12.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg
The Knicks acquired Printezis’ draft rights from the Mavericks as part of the sign-and-trade for Tyson Chandler. Printezis has played well in the Euroleague playoffs and had been scoring in the Greek league. He is very athletic and can play down low and attach the rim or can shoot from the perimeter. Printezis is very interested in playing in the NBA but would need a long-term contract. He is currently property of the Knicks and considering the Knicks cap situation is a bit questionable right now, it is uncertain how soon they could sign and bring him over. But he is already 27 years old so NYK would be better off signing him to a 3-4 year deal sooner than later.
Drafted American Players in Europe
Kyle Singler
NBA Team: Pistons
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 33
Position: SF/PF
Personal Stats: 24 years old, 6'8, 230 lbs
College: Duke
European Team: Real Madrid
Eurocup League stats: 8 gp, 23 mpg 8.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg
ACB League Stats (Spanish league) 24 gp, 19 mpg, 7.8 ppg
ACB League Stats: 10 gp, 31.1 mpg, 14.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Singler is well-known for his four years at Duke. He won the Most Outstanding Player award during the NCAA tournament in 2010 when Duke won it all. Singler helped lead Real Madrid to the Spanish King's Cup. Singler only signed a one-year deal in Spain. This gave him the opportunity to play against some of the top competition and players n the world. Singler should be even more prepared now for the NBA after four years in the ACC and one year in Spain. Singler should join the Pistons soon and will bring leadership and a winners mentality to a team in need of both. He lacks explosiveness and a consistent jump shot, but he has a unique ability to score and plays hard for loose balls and rebounds while also being an above average defender.
Jon Diebler
NBA Team: Blazers
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 51
College: Ohio State
Position: SG
Personal Stats: 23 years old, 6'6, 200 lbs
European Team: Greece
Greek League stats: 31 GP, 25.7 mpg, 10.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 45% 3 pt shooter
Diebler played his college ball at Ohio State, where he holds the all-time scoring record and also has the OSU and Big Ten career three-point field goal records. In high school, Diebler scored 77 points in one game as a junior. He is currently playing in Greece, as property of the Blazers.WIth Nolan Smith and Raymond Felton on the Blazers roster, Diebler chose to play in Greece during the lockout and stay there to continue to improve and receive immediate playing time. With Portland having a need for guards next year, it is highly possible Diebler returns to the States to join the Blazers.
Nick Calathes
NBA Team: Mavs
Draft: 2009 | Round 2 | Pick 45
Position: PG/SG
Personal Stats: 23 years old, 6'6, 195 lbs
College: Florida
European Team: Greece
Greek League stats: 30 gp, 21.5 mpg, 8.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 1.7 stls, 56.5% fg
Eurocup League stats: 23 gp, 23.6 mpg, 7.6 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.2 stl
Calathes was drafted by the Timberwolves and traded to Dallas. He was a McDonald's All-American coming out of high school in 2007. His numbers were relatively similat in his two years Florida. As a freshmen he averaged 15.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 6.1 apg and was named SEC Newcomer of the Year and as a sophmore averaged 17.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.4 apg and was unanimously named to the All-SEC first team. Calathes had an excellent college career before leaving early for the draft. He has been playing in Greece for a few years. With his contract almost up, now would be as good of a time as ever for Calathes to join the Mavs, who lose a lot in free agency. He could play a big role off the bench right away with Vince Carter, Delonte West and possibly Jason Terry and Jason Kidd departing as free agents.
Ahmad Nivins
NBA Team: Knicks
Draft: 2009 | Round 2 | Pick 56
Position: PF
Personal Stats: 25 years old, 6'9, 235 lbs
College: Saint Joseph's
European Team: Basquet Manresa in the Spanish ACB
Eurocup League stats: 6 gp, 28 mpg, 13.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Nivins was drafted by Dallas in 2009 and traded to the Knicks as part of the Tyson Chandler sign-and-trade. Georgios Printezis, listed above, was also included in that deal (Knicks made a good trade). Nivins was a star at Saint Joseph's. He was the Atlantic-10 Player of the Year in 2009 when he averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.8 rpg as a senior. He is already 25 years old and likely as big as he will get (6'9, 235 pounds) which is not a bad thing at all. Nivins is polishing his game in Spain. Nivins would make a solid role player in the NBA, be it for the Knicks or whomever. A big body who is an above-average rebounder and can score down low. He is an excellent defender, with a long wingspan and good shot blocker. Nivins is actually from New Jersey, so he would certainly welcome the opportunity to play for the Knicks. He only played 6 games in the Eurocup League because he was recovering and returning from a torn ACL.
Over the last few years, drafting international players has become more of a trend. Due to the NBA lockout, several college players chose to play overseas in 2012 while some 2011 draft picks, and recent year's picks are still overseas, continuing to develop before coming to the NBA to join their teams.
We look back at some of the recent draft picks and how they are doing overseas and when we might expect them to join their teams
European Players Recently Drafted
Jonas Valanciunas
NBA Team: Raptors
Draft: 2011 | Round 1 | Pick 5
Position: Center
Personal Stats: 20 years old. 7 ft, 240 lbs
From: Lithuania
Eurocup League stats: 16 GP, 23.3 mpg 10.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Valancuinas will join the Raptors in 2012-13 season now that his Lithuanian contract is up. Toronto drafted him knowing they would have to wait a year. Jonas will come in and play center and allow Bargnani to play more PF. He brings a defensive presence down low for Toronto. He is only 20 and only going to improve in the NBA. He did only average 23 minutes-per-game in the Euroleague so the Raptors must be smart and ease his transition into the NBA.
Donatas Motiejunas
NBA Team: Rockets
Draft: 2011 | Round 1 | Pick 20
Position: PF/C
Personal Stats: 21 years old, 7 ft, 215 lbs
From: Lithuania
Eurocup League stats: 10 gp, 31.3 mpg 12.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg
Rockets fans already have a nickname for Motiejunus - D-Mo. D-Mo got his name for coach Kevin McHale at a press conference shortly after the draft. D-Mo is expected to join Houston for 2012-13 season. He can have a big impact down low, where the Rockets have been looking for some to make their mark for a while now. Luis Scola, Pattrick Patterson, and Marcus Morris are the only forwards under contract new year. D-Mo did average over 30 minutes per game so the Rockets may throw him right into the fire. Motiejunas, plus this year's late lottery pick could finally push Houston into the playoffs.
Nikola Mirotic
NBA Team: Bulls
Draft: 2011 | Round 1 | Pick 21
Position: PF
Personal Stats: 21 years old, 6'10, 215 lbs
From: Spain
ACB League stats: 34 gp 20.2 mpg 8.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg
EuroCup League stats: 16 gp, 23 mpg, 12.5 pgg, 4.5 rpg
Mirotic was actually drafted by the Rockets and traded to the Wolves for Motiejunas. The Wolves than sent him to Chicago. Mirotuc has been training in Spain with the Under-20 team and averaged 27 and 10 last summer. He has been compared by some to Dirk Nowitzki. If the Bulls have the Spanish Dirk to go with Noah down low and Rose running the point, they may dominate the east for years to come. The question becomes when does Mirotic make the jump to the US?
Bojan Bogdanovic
NBA Team: Nets (acquired from Heat)
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 31 (1st in round two)
Position: SG/SF
Personal Stats: 23 years old, 6'8, 216 lbs
From: Croatia
Eurocup League stats: 16 gp, 24.3 mpg, 13 ppg
Turkish League stats: 32 gp, 23.2 mpg, 13.6 ppg
Boganovic was traded on draft night from the Heat to the Wolves for Norris Cole. The Wolves than shipped him to the Nets. Bogdanovich is a below average defender and considered rather one dimensional. Not listed above, he averaged 18 ppg with Cibona in the Euroleague and 18.9 ppg in Adriatic league in 2010. He is not much of a defender or rebounder but could could be a huge asset for Nets down the road. Bogdanovich could serve as an off-the-bench, rotational guy who can come in with the second unit and score. If the Nets bring him over in 2012, him and Marshon Brooks off the bench could really provide the Nets with a spark, depending of course on who starts for them.
Davis Bertans
NBA Team: Spurs
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 41
Postion: SF
Persona Stats: 19 years old, 6'10, 210 lbs
From: Latvia
Adriatic League stats: 13 gp, 16.8 mpg, 4.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg
Eurocup League stats: 10 gp, 15.6 mpg, 3 ppg, 2.2 rpg..... 28.2% fgs
Adriatic League stats: 11 gp, 3 ppg, 1 rpg
Bertans was drafted by the Pacers and traded to the Spurs. He is considered an excellent long range shooter. A 6'10 forward with a jump shot? Also sounds like Dirk. His defense and poor shot selection will hurt him in NBA. Bertans is considered a very talented player but raw in games. He is only 19 years old and needs more time to develop. He just signed a three and a half year deal in Serbia with KK Partizan. When his deal expires he will be 22. The Spurs can bring him to the US at that point, hopefully ready to play at that point.
Milan Macvan
NBA Team: Cavs
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 54
Position: PF/C
Personal Stats: 22 years old, 6'9, 265 lbs
From: Serbia
Adriatic Euroleague stats: 14 gp, 29.5 mpg, 13.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Eurocup League stats:10 gp, 31.6 mpg 15.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Macvan is a physically tough defender. Offensively, a pick-and-roll system suits him well as does playing a traditional low post game. He is not very athletic but can score in bunches and is an average rebounder. His 260 pound body allows him to grab rebounds using force, but with the strict rules now in the NBA, Macvan could be a fouling liability. You can see though, from his stats above, the kind of potential Macvan has.
Sergio Llull
NBA Team: Rockets (via trade with Nuggets)
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 34
Position: combo guard
Personal Stats: 24 years old, 6'3, 176 lbs
From: Spain
Eurocup League stats: 16 gp, 22 mpg, 7.4 ppg, 3.2 asts
ACB League stats: 34 gp, 24.6 mpg, 10.4 ppg, 4.2 apg
The Rockets acquired Lull's rights on draft night from the Nuggets. He was recently named MVP in the Copa del Rey tournament in Spain. People within the Houston organization compare him to current PGs Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic. Llull is a good defender and has great court vision. He is quick and plays with a lot of passion and energy. Llull is very interested in coming to the NBA, especially after witnessing the success of another Spanish PG, Ricky Rubio. Llull does not want to come over to sit on the bench however. He wants to play. Folks beleive he will play out his current contract and join the Rockets in 2013-14. We mentioned earlier what "D-Mo" can bring to the table for the Rockets, plus this year's lottery pick. Throw Llull into the mix and the Rockets have a very bright future ahead.
Giorgos Printezis
NBA Team: Knicks (acquired from Mavs via Spurs)
Drafted: 2007 | Round 2 | Pick 58
Position: SF/PF
Personal Stats: 27 years old, 6'9, 225 lbs
From: Greece
Eurocup League stats: 21 gp, 21.8 mpg, 10.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Greek League stats: 29 gp, 20.6 mpg, 12.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg
The Knicks acquired Printezis’ draft rights from the Mavericks as part of the sign-and-trade for Tyson Chandler. Printezis has played well in the Euroleague playoffs and had been scoring in the Greek league. He is very athletic and can play down low and attach the rim or can shoot from the perimeter. Printezis is very interested in playing in the NBA but would need a long-term contract. He is currently property of the Knicks and considering the Knicks cap situation is a bit questionable right now, it is uncertain how soon they could sign and bring him over. But he is already 27 years old so NYK would be better off signing him to a 3-4 year deal sooner than later.
Drafted American Players in Europe
Kyle Singler
NBA Team: Pistons
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 33
Position: SF/PF
Personal Stats: 24 years old, 6'8, 230 lbs
College: Duke
European Team: Real Madrid
Eurocup League stats: 8 gp, 23 mpg 8.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg
ACB League Stats (Spanish league) 24 gp, 19 mpg, 7.8 ppg
ACB League Stats: 10 gp, 31.1 mpg, 14.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Singler is well-known for his four years at Duke. He won the Most Outstanding Player award during the NCAA tournament in 2010 when Duke won it all. Singler helped lead Real Madrid to the Spanish King's Cup. Singler only signed a one-year deal in Spain. This gave him the opportunity to play against some of the top competition and players n the world. Singler should be even more prepared now for the NBA after four years in the ACC and one year in Spain. Singler should join the Pistons soon and will bring leadership and a winners mentality to a team in need of both. He lacks explosiveness and a consistent jump shot, but he has a unique ability to score and plays hard for loose balls and rebounds while also being an above average defender.
Jon Diebler
NBA Team: Blazers
Draft: 2011 | Round 2 | Pick 51
College: Ohio State
Position: SG
Personal Stats: 23 years old, 6'6, 200 lbs
European Team: Greece
Greek League stats: 31 GP, 25.7 mpg, 10.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 45% 3 pt shooter
Diebler played his college ball at Ohio State, where he holds the all-time scoring record and also has the OSU and Big Ten career three-point field goal records. In high school, Diebler scored 77 points in one game as a junior. He is currently playing in Greece, as property of the Blazers.WIth Nolan Smith and Raymond Felton on the Blazers roster, Diebler chose to play in Greece during the lockout and stay there to continue to improve and receive immediate playing time. With Portland having a need for guards next year, it is highly possible Diebler returns to the States to join the Blazers.
Nick Calathes
NBA Team: Mavs
Draft: 2009 | Round 2 | Pick 45
Position: PG/SG
Personal Stats: 23 years old, 6'6, 195 lbs
College: Florida
European Team: Greece
Greek League stats: 30 gp, 21.5 mpg, 8.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 1.7 stls, 56.5% fg
Eurocup League stats: 23 gp, 23.6 mpg, 7.6 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.2 stl
Calathes was drafted by the Timberwolves and traded to Dallas. He was a McDonald's All-American coming out of high school in 2007. His numbers were relatively similat in his two years Florida. As a freshmen he averaged 15.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 6.1 apg and was named SEC Newcomer of the Year and as a sophmore averaged 17.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.4 apg and was unanimously named to the All-SEC first team. Calathes had an excellent college career before leaving early for the draft. He has been playing in Greece for a few years. With his contract almost up, now would be as good of a time as ever for Calathes to join the Mavs, who lose a lot in free agency. He could play a big role off the bench right away with Vince Carter, Delonte West and possibly Jason Terry and Jason Kidd departing as free agents.
Ahmad Nivins
NBA Team: Knicks
Draft: 2009 | Round 2 | Pick 56
Position: PF
Personal Stats: 25 years old, 6'9, 235 lbs
College: Saint Joseph's
European Team: Basquet Manresa in the Spanish ACB
Eurocup League stats: 6 gp, 28 mpg, 13.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Nivins was drafted by Dallas in 2009 and traded to the Knicks as part of the Tyson Chandler sign-and-trade. Georgios Printezis, listed above, was also included in that deal (Knicks made a good trade). Nivins was a star at Saint Joseph's. He was the Atlantic-10 Player of the Year in 2009 when he averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.8 rpg as a senior. He is already 25 years old and likely as big as he will get (6'9, 235 pounds) which is not a bad thing at all. Nivins is polishing his game in Spain. Nivins would make a solid role player in the NBA, be it for the Knicks or whomever. A big body who is an above-average rebounder and can score down low. He is an excellent defender, with a long wingspan and good shot blocker. Nivins is actually from New Jersey, so he would certainly welcome the opportunity to play for the Knicks. He only played 6 games in the Eurocup League because he was recovering and returning from a torn ACL.
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