By George Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
Some are now considered “seasoned,” some have just completed their rookie season, but all of them prove that the EuroLeague has athletes who can hold their own in the best league in the world.
Besides, the fact that there was a double historical record in this season’s playoffs with the participation of 62 international players from 33 different countries, is anything but a coincidence.
Eurohoops singled out 10 players who we enjoyed on the courts of the EuroLeague and whose progress we now follow in the magical world of the NBA.
Dario Saric
Team: Philadelphia Sixers
Stats: 14.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Contract expires: Summer of 2020
Dario Saric needed just two seasons to prove right all those who believed that he would make it in the best league on the planet! His integration in the Sixers was quick and, together with Simmons, Embiid, J. J. Redick and Covington, they are the main core of the Philadelphia team, who had an amazing run in the regular season and returned to the playoffs.
The Croatian forward is a fighter, he has worked on his physical attributes and his game and, as a result, he’s considered one of the best Europeans in the league. From KK Zagreb to Cibona, from there to Efes, and now in the 76ers. When his contract expires in the summer of 2020, it is certain that many teams with more money will come calling!
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Team: Sacramento Kings
Stats: 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 39.2% in three-point shooting
Contract expires: Summer of 2020
We expected nothing less from Bogdan Bogdanovic. After an excellent season in which he won everything with Fenerbahce inside and outside of Turkey, he took the big step in his career at the age of 25.
The Kings knew from the start that they wouldn’t make the Western Conference playoffs, and this helped the Serbian guard get even more opportunities. The truth is, he took full advantage of them and, with 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists, he proved that in the coming years he will secure a leading role in an even better team.
A special reference should be made regarding his presence in… clutch moments, since there were several times he decided a game with his shot in the final minutes.
Joe Ingles
Team: Utah Jazz
Stats: 11.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 44% in three-point shooting
Contract expires: Summer of 2021
Joe Ingles might not have a leading role in the teams he plays for but he’s always included in his coach’s plans. The secret lies in his consistency, his impeccable character and his quality.
The Australian forward improved his numbers visibly in the 2017-2018 season and, as a result, he now has 11.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists on average, contributing both in execution and in creation. In fact, he’s the 4th best three-point shooter in the entire league with a figure of 44%.
He decided to leave the EuroLeague in the summer of 2014, a few weeks after the epic trophy win with Maccabi, and he’s not expected to leave Utah any time soon unless he becomes part of a trade.
Alex Abrines
Nikola Mirotic
Mario Hezonja
Domantas Sabonis
Team: Indiana Pacers
Stats: 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2 assists
Contract expires: Summer of 2020 (team option)
Domantas Sabonis found himself in Indiana through the great trade that sent Paul George to the Thunder and now one could say that it is the Pacers who came out the winners from this move.
Within a few months, the Lithuanian center transformed for the better and looks nothing like the player we once saw in Malaga. He took full advantage of the playing time he got (24.5 minutes), improved his moves and, armed with his excellent technique, raised his stats in every category.
He played in 74 games and averaged 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists, contributing to Indiana’s very good run up to 5th place in the Eastern Conference. Getting knocked out by the Cavaliers in Game 7 is considered… normal, while it should be considered a given that the Pacers will make use of the clause in his contract to continue their collaboration.
Milos Teodosic
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Stats: 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Contract expires: Summer of 2018 (player option)
A 31-year-old rookie! Even belatedly, Milos Teodosic made the decision to play on the other side of the Atlantic and proved that he can hold his own at the highest level.
NBA fans saw for themselves the abundant talent of the Serbian guard, who dished more than a few magical passes and helped the Clippers through his duties in execution and organization. The stats registered 9.5 points and 4.6 assists per game, which means that Teodosic was the 2nd best passer behind Lou Williams.
The many injuries didn’t allow the LA team to reach the Western Conference playoffs and so Milos can already start thinking about what he wants to do in the new season. He has the option in his contract and so now what remains to be seen is whether he will stay in the NBA or return to our neck of the woods.