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.