By Evaggelos Papadimitriou/ info@eurohoops.net
Last summer saw many players opting to move from the NBA to EuroLeague, but another set of players went the opposite direction. No discussion on Europe’s premier club competition being strengthened from the arrivals.
With 2019 approaching its expiration date, Eurohoops looks on the adjustments made so far by six former EuroLeague stars choosing to further their careers in the NBA.
Marko Guduric
EuroLeague team: Fenerbahce Beko
NBA team: Memphis Grizzlies
Despite not being the biggest star of Fenerbahce Beko, Marko Guduric was a key part of Zeljko Obradovic’s squad the past seasons. Last year was massive in the run up to the Final Four.
Obradovic picked up a promising guard and turned him into a valuable player. Ultimately secured many wins with the 24-year-old Serbian swingman. After improving in Turkey, Guduric landed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
His new team has not enjoyed the best of starts, but he evolved into a regular for the Tennessee organization playing about 15 minutes per appearance. Via 37.3% from the field and 28.1% beyond the arc, Guduric is averaging 4.9 points per contest, also has 2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per match.
Coming off 9.4 points with 62.9% from two-point range and 47.7% from three-point range, 2.2 assists and 1.9 rebounds per EuroLeague match, he knew beforehand that his role would not be equally important. However, has got on the right track.
Nicolo Melli
EuroLeague team: Fenerbahce Beko
NBA team: New Orleans Pelicans
Another loss for Fenerbahce Beko was Nicolo Melli. The 28-year-old big made his way out of the Turkish club to join the New Orleans Pelicans.
Similar to his former teammate, he left his mark on Fener. Early-season struggles of their previous club may indeed be connected with them leaving.
Right from the start of his new adventure, Melli gained a spot in the rotation appearing in 24 contests so far. He has 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists to show for his effort.
Three-pointers were his thing in EuroLeague with a career average of 38.7%. Last year posted 7.3 points with 47.5% from two-point range and 38.5% from three-point range, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Goga Bitadze
EuroLeague team: Buducnost VOLI
NBA team: Indiana Pacers
It was no secret that Goga Bitadze aspired to play in the NBA when he joined Buducnost VOLI in December 2018. He was not late to meet his ambition as the Indiana Pacers selected him with the 18th pick of the 2019 draft.
The 2019 EuroLeague Rising Star earned the award and afterwards his NBA contract by taking Europe’s top club competition by storm. As a member of Buducnost VOLI competed in 13 games with 12.1 points, 6.4 boards, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 assists per appearance. Nearing 60% from two-point range and surpassing 31% from three-point range did the trick.
Since launched his NBA career with 23 games played so far. Bitadze has put up 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1 block per contest shooting 46% from the field, 26.7% beyond the arc and 73.7% from the charity stripe. His 13 points against the Washington Wizards on November 7th mark his personal-best to date. Has also gained valuable playing experience in G League with the Erie Bayhawks.
His future undoubtedly seems bright, but his immediate plans include solidifying his role in the Pacers’ system. His decision to jump to the NBA so early in his career presents its risks. However, Kevin Pritchard had no doubts when entrusting him with the 18th spot of last year’s draft.
“You know how we know it’s a good pick? The phone rings the second you pick him” the president of the Pacers noted while introducing the Georgian center back in June, “I’ve never had it ringing like I had it yesterday. Maybe some of the ex-teams I’ve been with were pretty hotly in pursuit. Not a little bit, but hotly in pursuit. I’ve never seen it like that. Let’s just say more than three or four teams were getting aggressive to get him. It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made in the draft. There was more consensus than I’ve ever seen.”
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
EuroLeague team: Panathinaikos OPAP
NBA team: Milwaukee Bucks
Thanasis Antetokounmpo played a couple of NBA games with the New York Knicks back in the 2015-16 season, before returning to Europe and ultimately joining his younger brother Giannis at the Milwaukee Bucks.
He was picked 51st in the 2014 draft, needed five more years to secure a two-year NBA deal. Following his two-year stint with Panathinaikos OPAP, the NBA option resurfaced along with the opportunity to play alongside his brother.
After displaying his explosiveness in EuroLeague, Antetokounmpo has taken part in only six NBA games averaging three minutes per appearance. The Bucks’ well-oiled rotation is certainly a tough nut to crack.
A top-notch defender in Europe capable to make the difference in any game. His dunks and offensive rebounds brought the necessary energy for Panathinaikos OPAP. The above coupled with his overall improvement in offense reopened the path to the NBA.
With the Greens posted 4.2 points per game by making 68.8% of his two-point shots, 31.8% of his three-pointers and 44.8% of his free throws, also notched 1.8 rebounds per appearance over 29 EuroLeague matches. This season sits on 2.8 points per contest including his NBA-best 10-point outing against the Knicks. He accounts for 14 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist per G League game as well.
Part of a team gunning for a championship run, the 27-year-old forward’s target is to earn more time on the court through the 2019-20 Regular Season. From Filathlitikos to the top of the basketball world is a path already conquered by his brother who proved that everything is possible for Thanasis or anybody else.
Nigel Williams-Goss
EuroLeague team: Olympiacos
NBA team: Utah Jazz
Europeans are not exclusive on joining EuroLeague clubs before making the NBA jump. Nigel Williams-Goss was the 55th pick of the 2017 draft, but tipped off his professional career in Europe with Partizan in 7DAYS EuroCup and afterwards with Olympiacos in EuroLeague. A must for our list.
The former Gonzaga and Washington standout moved to Greece in 2018, but only stayed for one season with the Utah Jazz signing him a couple of years after securing his NBA rights via draft. The Reds were compensated dropping the second year of his contract in the process. Remaining with the Greek club was not a given.
Played over 26 minutes per game in his debut EuroLeague season with banged-up Olympiacos. Over 30 games notched 9.2 points per appearance with 42.1% inside the rainbow, 37% from three-point range and 82.7% from the charity stripe. Averaged 4.2 assists and 2 rebounds per game as well.
Moving on to the NBA, Williams-Goss has competed in seven games so far gathering 22 minutes of action with only 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, 0.3 boards and 0.1 blocks to show for. Assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars has 11.8 points, 6 rebounds and 4.8 assists through four G League appearances.
Earning playing time in the NBA is not always a simple task. Occasionally, players moving from Europe need to be patient. In this case, the American point guard indeed found his spot in the NBA, which was the goal and potentially a sign for more success to come.