By George Efkarpides & Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
In recent times, more and more European players join the NBA and this year, a record-breaking 74 European players will be playing in the NBA.
The NBA has been attracted to international players, who seem to have unique talents, and are ready to conquer the basketball world.
Last season, many European players had dazzling campaigns with their respective teams. Others are considered to be ‘rising stars’ and players like Giannis Antetokounmpo have already established themselves as top-10 players in the league.
An exciting season is just around the corner and eurohoops.net has ranked the top 30 Europeans for the upcoming year.
The criteria for this year’s rankings are: The quality of the player, his role on the team and what is expected from him this upcoming season. Moreover, the playing time we anticipate he will get by his coach in combination with what he has been able to achieve in his NBA career so far.
- Jonas Valanciunas (Toronto Raptors / Lithuania)
Year of Birth: 1992
Height: 213cm (7-0)
Position: C
JV has continued to post impressive numbers despite seeing his minutes decrease. With “small ball” becoming a trend in the NBA JV’s inability to stretch the floor has cost him playing time but he continued to impress regardless. Last season, Valanciunas nearly averaged a double-double with 12 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in 25.5 minutes. The Lithuanian stud participated in this years Eurobasket and was an unstoppable force especially in the group stage.
Lithuania managed to make it to the knockout round but couldn’t advance further. Still, Valanciunas averaged 14.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per contest.
Coach Dwayne Casey has praised Valanciunas, multiple times, saying that “This is the best I’ve seen Jonas play” and he should have a great year.
- Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic / Montenegro)
Year of Birth: 1990
Height: 213cm (7-0)
Position: C
Besides being in a crowded front-court, Vucevic had a nice season for the Orlando Magic and will remain one of the team’s top options on the offensive end. The 26-year old is bound to have a bounce-back year after seeing his points per game average drop to 14.6 from 18.2 in the previous season.
Vucevic, led his national team to the knockout stages of the Eurobasket while averaging 14.5 points and 8 boards per contest. If Orlando decides to rebuild and trade him, there is no doubt that he will be welcome on any team.
- Dennis Schröder (Atlanta Hawks / Germany)
Year of Birth: 1993
Height: 185cm (6-1)
Position: G
Schröder is coming off his best NBA season in which he averaged 17.9 points and 6.3 assists for the Atlanta Hawks. Now, Mike Budenholzer’s team is clearly in rebuilding mode and Dennis will be the no1 option on offense. Atlanta is willing to build their team around Shröder and it’s up to him to live up to the expectations.
Leading a team won’t be a problem as that is exactly what he did for his national team in this year’s Eurobasket. The 24-year old averaged 23.7 points and 5.6 assists and was a one-man show at times leading Germany to the knockout rounds where they eliminated France, one of the favorites to win the contest.
He is clearly the Hawks franchise player at the moment.