By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Sports Illustrated released the first part of its annual Top 100 NBA players list, which is highlighted by plenty of European players, confirming once again that the European “invasion” in the NBA is here to stay.
Latvian “unicorn” Kristaps Porzingis is ranked at #52, the highest of any other European on the first part (despite suffering from his ACL injury all season long), followed by multi-talented Dario Saric at #54.
The Spanish block keeps going strong with Ricky Rubio at #57, Nikola Mirotic at #60 and Pau Gasol at #98.
Legendary Dirk Nowitzki couldn’t be left behind and made it to the #96 spot this year, a few places below Evan Fournier who’s ranked at #92.
A new entry to the list was that of last season rookie Lauri Markkanen, that made it to the All-Rookie First team and earned the #84 spot.