By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Sekou Doumbouya landed 15th place in the 2019 NBA draft, Goga Bitadze followed in 18th and Luka Samanic in 19th. All three European picks of the first round discussed their feelings shortly after being selected by the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively, via press conference held at Brooklyn, USA.
Bitadze, 19, said: “I can bring a lot of stuff into the Indiana Pacers’ game, stretch the floor, help them offensively, defensively, be competitive, bring positive energy, be productive on the floor.” Afterwards, the Georgian center admitted he had several favorite players growing up, but took out Kevin Garnett, because he like how tough he was on the floor.
Doumbouya, 18, compared himself to Pascal Siakam, but added: “I have to work, to prove to myself and the team what can I do and do my best on the floor”. He also pointed out: “I’m pro already. I learned a lot about other players. I understand the life of a professional basketball player.”
Samanic, 19, said he feels blessed to be part of the Spurs and explained: “I think they have a European style and a long history of European players. That’s one more motive for me.” The Croatian forward also discussed his similarities with Kevin Durant and Andrei Kirilenko, picked out Toni Kukoc and Drazen Petrovic as his idols.