By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
It is true that European players are now of high value for several NBA teams and the globalization of the league seems more on point than ever.
Adding up to the already long list of Europeans in the NBA, this summer more players from EuroLeague, EuroCup and Basketball Champions League have found their place overseas, either coming from European countries or simply European teams.
Here is the list of summer 2019 Euro-exports to the NBA so far!
Nicolo Melli (Fenerbahce to New Orleans Pelicans)
The first player on the list comes from the nurturing hands of Zeljko Obradovic, a coach that knows how to spot and develop talents. Melli spent the previous two seasons with Fenerbahce Beko, making it to the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2017.
Marko Guduric (Fenerbahce to Memphis Grizzlies)
Just like Melli, Guduric also earned the trust of coach Obradovic and had a key role through his two-year stint with Fenerbahce. The Serbian shooting guard/small forward will take his talents to the NBA after winning a Turkish League title and Cup with the Istanbul side.
Goga Bitadze (Buducnost to Indiana Pacers)
The 2019 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rising Star left Buducnost to chase his NBA dream. As a matter of fact, he has been selected with the 18th pick of the 2019 NBA draft by Indiana Pacers. The 19-year-old, who recently went viral after the infamous picture at the NBA press availability before the draft, will surely use his ‘incident’ with Zion and the journos as fuel for his rookie season.
Matt Thomas (Valencia to Toronto Raptors)
The 2019 7DAYS EuroCup champion goes all in to the reigning NBA champions with a three-year deal. At the age of 24, Thomas already has experience from Europe’s best domestic league (ACB) with Obradoiro and Valencia and he can finally take his talents to the NBA.
Enjoy him shooting some 3’s for now.
Sekou Doumbouya (Limoges to Detroit Pistons)
2000-born Doumbouya was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, coming from the French league as one of Europe’s top prospects. The French forward started from the Second Division in France and found himself to be compared to The Greek Freak by many. The video below explains the reasons why.
Luka Samanic (Olimpija Ljubljana to San Antonio Spurs)
Another 2000-born on the list, Samanic followed Bitadze with the 19th overall pick in the recent NBA draft. The Croatian started his career in the second team of Barcelona before moving to Slovenian side Petrol Olimpija for the 2018-19 season.
He already made a strong debut with the Spurs in the Summer League.