By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
While Luka Doncic is already making a strong case for a being serious MVP contender in EuroLeague, Mock Drafts from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean continue to consider him among the Top Five 2018 picks.
Sports Illustrated actually projects the 18-year-old Slovenian point forward to be picked second in the NBA Draft, describing his performances as “dominating the EuroLeague” and “worth the price of a EuroLeague TV subscription”.
Per Sports Illustrated:
“Perhaps the most complete and accomplished European draft prospect we’ve ever seen, Doncic’s body of work is hard to argue with. He’s made big strides as a shooter this year and is dominating the Euroleague in his third go-around (21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists through five games) at the ripe age of 18. He’s a savvy lead ball-handler and playmaker and easy to peg as the most NBA-ready player in this class. He may not possess the same athletic upside as other top prospects, but Doncic is a safe bet to have a long, productive career wherever he lands. He’s worth the price of a Euroleague TV subscription if you want to do some scouting of your own.”
Doncic averages 21.2 points (56.8% on two-pointers, 38.9 from beyond the arc), 6.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.2 steals and 29.5 PIR in 27:45 per game so far in the EuroLeague regular season. After six matches, he leads the league in PIR and points while Real Madrid has a 4-2 record.
As for other European players in the list, Bosnian forward Dzanan Musa (Cedevita) is projected to being selected with the 20th pick, French big guy Killian Tillie (Gonzaga Bulldogs) 24th and Latvian forward Rodions Kurucs (Barcelona) 29th.