By Dionysis Aravantinos/ info@eurohoops.net
The way these 64 European players (2017-2018 season) in the NBA are revolutionizing the game of basketball at the best competition in the world is something secial. Each of them has a unique story to share, and other young prospects who currently play in Europe look up to them and want to follow their journey in the NBA.
Eurohoops brings you, Europe’s five best young prospects that will keep the NBA busy the next few years, and could be potential rising stars in the world’s toughest league.
Rodions Kurucs
Country: Latvia
Age: 19
Position: SF
Team: Barcelona
Height: 6-8
Rodions Kurucs; a 19-year old small forward from Latvia. Kurucs currently plays in Barcelona and his name has been called up for the first team a few times. His versatile skills, unique talent, length, and athleticism is what makes him a unique talent in Europe.
Early Years
The 19-year Latvian has been playing basketball since 2012, when he played for VEF Riga, his hometown team in Latvia. He showed his skills and unique talent since playing in the club’s youth academy, and in March 2014 he signed a multi-year contract with the Latvian club, in Latvia’s second division. At the time, Kurucs was only 16-years old, and he was competing in the second division in the country. As he showcased his talent in Riga, the following year Barcelona signed him to a four-year deal.
For his first year in Spain, Kurucs played for Barcelona’s junior club, but since 2016 he is part of FC Barcelona B. On March 14, 2017, he made his official EuroLeague debut and scored two points.
The big question mark. 2017 NBA draft
According to many draft experts and mock drafts, Kurucs was projected to be picked in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft. Kurucs had already entered his name into the 2017 NBA draft along with other 182 players, but during the last day, he withdrew his name from the draft. Kurucs will now play another full season with Barcelona, could quite possibly get some opportunities with the first team and will enter his name in the 2018 draft coming this June.
ACB, EuroLeague, Barcelona & Expectations
Kurucs’ length and athleticism gives him a boost on the offensive side of the court, but also his versatility helps out his team. Coaches in the past have used him both as a guard and a forward and he has very quickly adapted to the different positions successfully. The way he will utilize his skill-set this year, and will work on his weaknesses, will be a huge factor as to if he will get some playing time with the first team of Barcelona.
Last season, Kurucs averaged 9.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in the 24 games he played with Barcelona. This season he is expected to lead Barcelona B to victories, but also try and get some minutes in the EuroLeague under Barcelona’s first team. It will be challenging, but Kurucs will need to have this experience under his belt, so he knows what to expect from the top level of competition in Europe. Scouts from the United States will be watching him, the pressure will be there, but if he remains healthy, he will have the ability and the opportunity to showcase his talent and become one of the engaging storylines this season heading into next year’s draft.