By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
Antetokounmpo, Kristaps Porzingis and Nikola Jokic are the future of the NBA but there have been good European rookies who continue to impress night in and night out showcasing their unique skills and talents.
Moreover, Eurohoops presents you the five most impressive European rookies so far, this year, all from different teams.
Lauri Markkanen / Chicago Bulls
– Stats: 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds
– Country: Finland
– Age: 20
– Position: F
– Height: 2.13m (7’0’’)
In a struggling (3-18) and re-building Chicago Bulls team, Lauri Markkanen has been one of the few bright spots for coach Fred Hoiberg and his staff this season. The 20-year old is putting up 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.6 blocks while shooting a fair 39.3% from the field. In the first 21 games this season, his team has had the worst record in the association (3-18) and sit in the last place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Markkanen is fourth in rookies scoring behind Ben Simmons, Kyle Kuzma, and Donovan Mitchell. The Fin international has had three games where he scored 20+ points, but his best one yet came against the Phoenix Suns where he scored 26 points on 10/19 shooting from the field and also grabbed 13 rebounds. Also, Markkanen has six double-doubles so far, this season leading his team in rebounding. Finally, he became the first rookie in NBA history with 48 three-point shots in first 20 games. He is the centerpiece of this Bulls’ team, and as he gets more games under his shoes, he will become even better.
Bogdan Bogdanovic / Sacramento Kings
– Stats: 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists
– Country: Serbia
– Age: 25
– Position: G
– Height: 1.98m (6’6’’)
Bogdan Bogdanovic has had some impressive games so far for the Sacramento Kings as he is adapting to the NBA’s style of play, but also some, where he has been relatively quiet. He has shown signs of talent, unique ability to score the basketball but also to facilitate with great passes. The former EuroLeague champion is averaging almost 10 points a game while playing 23.9 minutes a night.
Bogdanovic’s court presence is also crucial and shows how great of a player he can be. His instincts on the court are showing, as he has been setting up his teammates to score while also continually moving off the ball, and screen opponents to make sure his team gets an open look. Bogdan also has come up clutch in a few situations for this Kings’ squad this season as he won the game against the defending champions Golden State Warriors in Oakland. He also had an impressive game against the Lakers as he posted 14 points and seven assists.