By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Welcoming an opportunity to play in the NBA can be the case for several players of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Making an impact in Europe’s premier club competition often attracts the attention of NBA teams. That has indeed been the path for plenty of players in recent years as more and more franchises put their trust in players with a good track record in EuroLeague.
Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Mike James, Luca Vildoza, and Elijah Bryant. Those five players would fit the criteria but already moved to the NBA prior to the end of the 2020-21 season. Eurohoops presents ten more players emerging in EuroLeague and seeming more than capable of inking an NBA contract for a variety of reasons.
Vasilije Micic (Anadolu Efes)
Previous NBA experience: None
The season and Final Four MVP of the EuroLeague season was selected with the 52nd overall pick of the 2014 draft. The Philadelphia 76ers made that pick but traded his NBA rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder last December alongside Al Horford, Theo Maledon, and a 2025 first-round pick in exchange for Terrance Ferguson, Danny Green, and Vincent Poirier.
A potential move to the NBA has been a long time coming. However, his updated status makes it even more probable. After marking his seventh EuroLeague season with 16.7 points, 4.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per contest plus the championship with Anadolu Efes, Vasilije Micic looks likely to become the latest NBA floor general from Europe.
Most recently, the Chicago Bulls were reported to be interested in trading for Vasilije Micic.
Kevin Pangos (Zenit Saint-Petersburg)
Previous NBA experience: None
The former Gonzaga standout went undrafted in 2015 and has since steadily been making a name for himself in Europe. He initially made his way to Gran Canaria and EuroCup, but quickly ascended to EuroLeague and enjoyed an extremely solid 2020-21 campaign with Zenit Saint-Petersburg.
Kevin Pangos put up 13.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per match leading the Russian club to its first-ever playoff berth. He is set to become a free agent and is expected to consider several offers, but will wait for possible NBA options before deciding on his future.
Shane Larkin (Anadolu Efes)
Previous NBA experience: 269 games (Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics)
It has been three years since his last appearance in the NBA. He has since been making noise and at times dominating the EuroLeague with Anadolu Efes. His partnership with Micic at the Turkish powerhouse was explosive but may have run its course.
The coronavirus pandemic delayed the plans but the goal of capturing the EuroLeague title was recently accomplished. Shane Larkin was selected with the 18th overall pick in 2013 coming out of Miami, went on to the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets spent a season at Baskonia, and joined the Boston Celtics before going to Turkey.
Pierria Henry (TD Systems Baskonia)
Previous NBA experience: None
A textbook case of a player building up from scratch his NBA potential in Europe. Coming out of Charlotte, he went pro in Georgia and four years later made it to the EuroLeague. Three EuroCup campaigns were among the stops on his way there.
Pierria Henry is an explosive guard having established himself among the best players of Europe’s premier club competition. He is already on the radar of the Minnesota Timberwolves. An interesting summer coming up.
Leandro Bolmaro (FC Barcelona)
Previous NBA experience: None
The New York Knicks picked him with the 23rd overall selection of the 2020 draft and subsequently traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He will join the Timberwolves for the next season, as confirmed by President Gersson Rosas.
In the meantime, a star has been rising in the ranks of FC Barcelona. Leandro Bolmaro had 2.9 points, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 rebounds per match of the latest edition of EuroLeague. He averaged over 25 minutes per game in the Final Four adding on his experience at a high level at a young age.
Usman Garuba (Real Madrid)
Previous NBA experience: None
The EuroLeague Rising Star Trophy recipient is expected to be selected in the first round of this year’s draft. The title of his award hints as much, but Real Madrid is likely to send yet another player to the NBA after the numerous departures heavily impacting its 2020-21 campaign.
Usman Garuba introduced himself to a larger audience by dominating junior international competitions with Spain. He earned a spot in the senior team of the White before turning 18 and broke Luka Doncic’s record as the youngest-ever starter. He hasn’t looked back since.
Rokas Jokubaitis (Zalgiris Kaunas)
Previous NBA experience: None
Another 2021 draft prospect. He is coming off a breakout season in EuroLeague averaging 7.0 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per match under the guidance of the 2020 G League Coach of the Year, Martin Schiller.
Rokas Jokubaitis, currently projected to be selected in the second round of the upcoming draft, can carry his widened repertoire to the NBA if the opportunity arises. But he can also stay in EuroLeague for at least one more season with interested sides lining up for his services.
Wade Baldwin IV (FC Bayern Munich)
Previous NBA experience: 63 games (Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers)
The Vanderbilt alum was selected with the 17th overall pick of the 2016 draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. He was waived before the start of the 2017-18 season but notched more NBA games under his belt attached to the Portland Trail Blazers before eventually moving his talents to Europe.
Wade Baldwin IV averaged 15.3 points per EuroLeague appearance with FC Bayern Munich this season. He was among the main reasons behind the first playoff berth in team history. His scoring instinct earning him respect on this side of the Atlantic Ocean may contribute to leading him back to the NBA.
Tyler Dorsey (Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv)
Previous NBA experience: 104 games (Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies)
After a couple of seasons with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, he is considering his NBA options. The improvements since his last NBA appearance include incorporating the European basketball style under the influence of Giannis Sfairopoulos, the head coach of the Israeli powerhouse.
Tyler Dorsey, following a strong NCAA run with Oregon, landed in the 41st spot of the 2017 draft. He then signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks and was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019 before moving to Maccabi.
Guerschon Yabusele (LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne)
Previous NBA experience: 90 games (Boston Celtics)
The French power forward was picked by the Boston Celtics with the 16th pick of the 2016 draft. He spent a season in China prior to inking a contract with the Celtics and being part of the organization for two years. He was waived at the end of the 2018-19 season.
ASVEL has been home for Guerschon Yabusele for the last 16 months. He has posted 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per EuroLeague game with the French club evolving into a target of other teams in the process. The NBA potentially coming into play will of course affect the offseason proceedings.