By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
The 2018 NBA Draft is over, and everyone is talking about the future superstars of the NBA that include Deandre Ayton (No. 1), Marvin Bagley III (No. 2) and Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic (No. 3).
Ten of the sixty players selected in the Draft were Europeans. These players include Luka Doncic (No. 3 – Mavericks), Moritz Wagner (No. 25 – Lakers), Dzanan Musa (No. 29 – Nets), Elie Okobo (No. 31 – Suns), Rodions Kurucs (No. 40 – Nets), Isaac Bonga (No. 39 – Lakers), Issuf Sanon (No. 44 – Wizards), Svi Mykhailiuk (No. 47 – Lakers), Arnoldas Kulboka (No. 55 – Hornets), and Kostas Antetokounmpo (No. 60 – Mavericks).
There were, however, some European snubs in the 2018 NBA Draft, and Eurohoops presents them to you.
Dusan Ristic / Serbia
- 2017-2018 Stats: 12.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG
- Age: 22
- Team: Arizona Wildcats
- Position: C
Even if he was hoping he’d hear his name in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, unfortunately, he did not. Dusan Ristic worked out with several NBA teams, and as he had told Eurohoops a few months ago, his dream was to make it to the NBA. The 22-year old center averaged 12.2 points, 6.9 rebounds while shooting 56.9% from the field, and became one of the most dominant international centers in the NCAA alongside Deandre Ayton. Ristic also became Arizona’s first ever scorer in the history of the school.
Tryggvi Hlinason / Iceland
- 2017-2018 Stats: 2.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG
- Age: 20
- Team: Valencia Basket
- Position: C
Although he declared for the NBA Draft in April and kept his name past the withdrawal deadline, he was not selected in Thursday night’s draft, and thus is expected to remain in Valencia, where he quite probably will see his minutes rise. The 20-year old seven-footer did not get much playing time in Valencia this season while playing in Europe’s top-tier competition; the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the best domestic competition in Europe, the Spanish League (ACB).
In the upcoming year Valencia will compete in the 7DAYS EuroCup competition, so Hlinason could get more opportunities.
Dinos Mitoglou / Greece
- 2017-2018 Stats: 5.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG
- Age: 22
- Team: Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens
- Position: F
Playing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at age 22 means that Dinos Mitoglou is doing something right. The 22-year old forward won the Greek championship with Panathinaikos last week, but unfortunately, he was not picked in the 2018 NBA Draft. In the 30 games, he played this year (EuroLeague and Greek League), Mitoglou averaged 5.2 points, 3.4 rebounds while shooting an efficient 54.4% from the field. The Greek international also had some great games, which he helped Xavi Pascual’s team to a large extent.