By Utkan Şahin / Translation: Mehmet Bahadır Akgün
Dominant players like Milos Teodosic, Sergio Llull, Nikola Jokic, Nemanja Bjelica, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ersan İlyasova, Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum and Danilo Gallinari will not participate, and therefore will not be able to help their teams contend for a metal.
Especially after deciding to take part in the tournament and help their teams, the fact that Llull, Teodosic and Antetokounmpo will not play due to injury has dissapointed many fans.
Although, there are many key players who can contribute to their teams at a certain level, all 20 players on this list are capable of taking over any game and they are aiming high!
So, let the countdown begin!
20- Zaza Pachulia – Georgia
Age: 33
EuroBasket Experience: 4 times
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
Last season’s stats: 70 games, 6.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Zaza Pachulia is a living-and-playing legend of Georgian basketball, and he’s heading to EuroBasket 2017 as a member of the reigning NBA champs.
After a successful season in the States, he put his national team’s jersey on and he is ready to lead his tough teammates. The goals are high for Georgia in a very open tournament.
Even though the team fell short from matching the expectations during the last championships, Pachulia put his best on the court to help them.
If he performs at 100% he will likely play the key role in carrying the team to the final round, thanks to his basketball I.Q., defence and experience.
19- Cedi Osman – Turkey
Age: 22
EuroBasket Experience: 1 time
Current Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season’s stats: 70 games, 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist
The MVP of the U20 EuroBasket 2014, Cedi Osman, will be doing his best to carry Turkey throughout the tournament.
With Ilyasova being out, Cedi has a big burden on his shoulders and he will be playing heavy minutes and try to make Turkish fans forget the absence of the Hawks‘ forward.
Osman, who scored 12,7 points and grabbed 5,0 rebounds in the EuroBasket 2015, will be one of the main faces of “12 Giant Men”, the nickname of the Turkish national team, along with Sixers‘ rookie Furkan Korkmaz.
He is fully ready to demonstrate what he’s capable of with his unlimited energy, before heading to the overseas for the Cavs.
18- Omri Casspi – Israel
Age: 29
EuroBasket Experience: 4 times
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
Last season’s stats: 36 games, 5.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Being one of the greatest figures in Israeli basketball history, Omri Casspi’s goal is simple: To carry his team at least in the Top8 of the tournament.
More than 30 years have passed since the silver medal in 1979 and for the last 14 years, Israel couldn’t even make it to the quarter finals. This time, Israel has the home court advantage in the first phase, by hosting one of the four groups, but they are optimistic and their biggest asset is, without any doubt, Omri Casspi!
He was not able to perform at his best during the NBA regular season because of injuries, yet, his performance at the national team level has always been spectacular. After averaging numbers of 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists during the last tournament, Casspi will be focusins on team success rather than personal.
Israel won nine out of 11 preparation games on the way to the Eurobasket. Defeating notable opponents like Russia, Slovenia and Poland, the burden for similar results in official games is shouldered by Casspi.
After committing himself to the NBA champions, Casspi would also like to achieve something big with his national team.
17- Georgios Printezis – Greece
Age: 32
EuroBasket Experience: 3 times
Current Team: Olympiacos Piraeus
Last season’s stats: 63 games, 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists
The last-minute-injury of Giannis Antetokounmpo has delivered the Greece’s leadership role to the hero of last-second-shots.
Olympiacos‘ power forward is fully aware and proved it by being the top scorer for his team by averaging 13.3 points in the prep games.
Far from any doubt, he is one of the best forwards in Europe, and he will try to lead his team both mentally and in terms of scoring. Ath this point, his moves in the post are the best option Greece has for easy buckets.
Just a reminder: Ιf Greece advances through the group phase as expected, Georgios Printezis has beautiful memories at Sinan Erdem Dome from 2012.
16- Luka Doncic – Slovenia
Age: 18
EuroBasket Experience: –
Current Team: Real Madrid
Last season’s stats: 80 games, 7.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Players of his age are generally trying to prove themselves at U20 or U18 tournaments before entering the NBA Draft. He is a unique case. Doncic will be taking his chances at the EuroBasket 2017 because he is more than ready for this!
Europe has not seen such a phenomenal player at this age for a long while. The 18-year-old youngster has stormed the old continent during last season and now his main target is set: after a memorable season with Real Madrid, a memorable EuroBasket 2017!
Doncic, along with Dragic, will be trying to get the first ever medal for Slovenia. And judging by the prep games, he is more than ready.
15- Marco Belinelli – Italy
Age: 31
EuroBasket Experience: 4 times
Current Team: Atlanta Hawks
Last season’s stats: 74 games, 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists
During the tournaments of recent years, the argument of who is the team leader for the “Azzurri” had many answers. Heading into the EuroBasket 2017, there is no need at all for this anymore! Simply, there’s no question.
With Andrea Bargnani and Alessandro Gentile not even called in the team and Danilo Gallinari injured, Marco Belinelli is by far the best player on the roster.
Belinelli was the top scorer of his team in 6 out of 11 prepersation games. Things are not easy but the 31-year-old scorer will be aiming to carry the “Azzurri” into, at least, quarter-finals!