By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
While many may disagree with the rule, the fact is that naturalized players, one per each team, is a must, especially for countries with a small talent pool and in some cases, those are the players that make the difference.
J.R.Holden still is a hero in Russia after making the winning shot in the Eurobasket final in 2007, Pooh Jeter was the reason behind a spectacular 2013 run for Ukraine and the same happened with Bo McCalebb and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in 2011.
And this will happen again this year, as some of the most exciting players in the tournament are playing for their adopted countries.
BOBBY DIXON – TURKEY
Robert Lee “Bobby” Dixon met with Turkish basketball in the summer of 2012. The American guard who signed Pınar Karsiyaka attracted attention with his performance for the Izmir team after winning the Turkish league title in 2015. He signed for Fenerbahce and he became a Turkish citizen with the name “Ali Mohammed”. It was a move more than welcomed by the national team. He is expected to play a crucial role in the tournament, as the younger generation of Turkish players is not totally ready to carry the team yet.
TYRESE RICE – MONTENEGRO
The US guard, who spent last season in Barcelona, has also a Montenegrin passport. He has proven what he is worth in the EuroLeague, winning the title with Maccabi Tel Aviv and playing also for Khimki, and Barca. He got his second citizenship back in 2013 and in this tournament, he is expected to be a key contributor for a team that also includes Orlando Magic big man Nikola Vucevic.
AJ SLAUGHTER – POLAND
The 30-year-old American guard played mainly in the French league in Europe, but he was also a member of EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos. In the first major tournament without Marcin Gortat, his shooting ability will be valuable. Slaughter, who had taken the Polish citizenship in the summer of 2015, also played in EuroBasket 2015. He averaged 28 minutes in six games, 9.5 points, and 5.0 assists. He finished last season in Strasbourg.