By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is over, and the NBA Finals are a couple of days away. Throughout the EuroLeague season, many players shined and attracted the interest of NBA teams. The upcoming off-season will be exciting and interesting as players from Europe’s top-tier competition may decide to travel to the United States and join the world’s best competition.
Eurohoops presents ten players that may end up in the NBA next season, after having great years in the 2017-2018 EuroLeague.
The list could be expanded including names like Fenerbahce‘s Bradley Wanamaker and Nicolo Melli, as also Scottie Wilbekin who had a stellar season in EuroCup. However, the ten players included not only can play in the NBA, but there are many indications about legit interest for them and also about their wish to play in the States.
Luka Doncic
- Stats: 16.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.3 APG
- Team: Real Madrid
- Age: 19
- Position: G
Luka Doncic was the best player in Europe this year, winning every single award and leading Real Madrid to the EuroLeague’s Final Four glory. The 19-year old sensation finished the season by averaging 16.0 points (57.2% 2FG), 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He was the rising star of the year, the MVP of the regular season and Belgrade’s Final Four MVP; becoming the youngest player in history to win both.
The NBA is the next destination for Luka or not? According to ESPN’s latest mock draft, the Slovenian would get picked at second overall by the Sacramento Kings, but as Doncic told Eurohoops the decision about the NBA Draft has not been made yet. Still, it will be more than a surprise for him to stay in Europe for one more season, even if he has a contract until 2019 with Real Madrid. which of course includes a decent buyout. He sure is one of the best international prospects ever.
Nick Calathes
- Stats: 14.5 PPG, 8.0 APG
- Team: Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens
- Age: 29
- Position: G
Nick Calathes completed a phenomenal year in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as he was named to the EuroLeague’s best starting five. He was the best playmaker of the competition and broke many records with his 8.0 assists average. He also put up 14.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
From 2013 until 2015, Calathes played in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies, and now he has a legit chance of traveling back to the United States and returning to the NBA. According to ESPN, the 29-year old point-guard wishes to return to the NBA as this off-season he is a free agent and has hired a US agent, especially for searching NBA options. His good friend Chandler Parsons of the Memphis Grizzlies had also tweeted that Calathes deserves to be in the NBA.
Norris Cole
- Stats: 12.6 PPG, 3.8 APG
- Team: Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv
- Age: 29
- Position: G
In his first year in Europe, Norris Cole did not disappoint. Even though his team, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv did not manage to qualify for the playoffs, Cole averaged 12.6 points and 3.8 assists per game.
He had aimed to stay in Europe for one year, he is a free agent and he is looking for NBA options to return to the world’s best league. The 29-year old ex NBA champ brought leadership and defense to Tel Aviv and this summer will be interesting for him.
Mike James
- Stats: 16.2 PPG, 4.1 APG
- Team: Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens
- Age: 27
- Position: G
After starting the year in Phoenix with the Suns and then playing for the Pelicans, Mike James returned to Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens to play next to Nick Calathes in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague competition. The 27-year old guard shined with Panathinaikos in these twelve EuroLeague games, as he put up 16.2 points (63.2% 2FG), 4.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. In the first half of the season, James proved that he can play in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, playing in 32 games and averaging 10.4 points per game.
In the EuroLeague competition, James proved to be clutch down the stretch and lead his team to victories. Against Olimpia Milan he scored 18 points and the game-winning shot of the night, while in Tel Aviv scored a career-best 27 points, wowing the crowd. Even though he told Eurohoops that he is not sure if he wants to go back to the NBA, his performances have attracted NBA teams.
Dorell Wright
- Stats: 11.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG
- Team: Brose Bamberg
- Age: 32
- Position: F
Dorell Wright is an NBA veteran and has played in four NBA teams including the Golden State Warriors. He also won the NBA championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat. In the 2017-2018 season, Wright played in his first year in Europe’s best competition and shined from the beginning. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and had one double-double game of 20 points and 10 rebounds. As he had told Eurohoops, his ultimate goal is to return to the NBA, and he is indeed working towards it.
Europe has been providing a constant conscription source, from youngsters to experienced guys, undrafted American players or former NBAers, like Wright to showcase skill and talent and make it to the NBA.
Chris Singleton
- Stats: 10.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG
- Team: Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens
- Age: 28
- Position: F
Chris Singleton had a really good season with Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens, starting in 34 of the team’s 34 games and having a strong impact in both sides of the floor. In the EuroLeague season, the 29-year old forward averaged 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1 steal per game, while also shot a great 46.1% behind the 3pt line.
Singleton, 29 was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2011 and played three seasons in the United States’ capital before traveling overseas to play in China and Europe. This year, Singleton changed agents and is now represented by Wasserman. He is a free agent and his skill set can translate well to the current NBA style of play.
Thomas Robinson
- Stats: 8.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG
- Team: Khimki Moscow Region
- Age: 27
- Position: F
In his first season overseas, Thomas Robinson did not have the year he wished he had and to a large extent, this was due to his broken hand injury. In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague competition, the 27-year old managed to play in 20 games and in just 15 minutes of playing time, he put up 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Since 2012, Robinson has played in six different NBA teams and this off-season, a return to the NBA is probable.
The option to travel to Europe and play for Khimki this season was not his first choice. He waited until September and then he signed in Europe. It’s more than obvious that NBA is his goal and priority. His athleticism, power, and strength helped him in Europe, but the months he was not able to play unfortunately affected him negatively.
Jonah Bolden
- Stats: 6.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG
- Team: Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv
- Age: 22
- Position: F
Jonah Bolden was chosen with the 36th overall pick by the Sixers in the 2017 Draft, but in July he signed a three-year contract with Maccabi that includes an NBA buyout. In his first season in the EuroLeague, the 22-year old had some great games in an effort to put up 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. As Jessica Camerato of NBC Sports reported, Bolden will most likely join the Philadelphia 76ers by the start of the 2018-2019 season.
Tel Aviv’s team, however, want to keep the 22-year old, but the contract he had signed in July 2017 includes an NBA buyout. The decision is up to the 76ers.
Will Clyburn
- Stats: 11.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG
- Team: CSKA Moscow
- Age: 28
- Position: F
Has the time come for Will Clyburn to find a role in an NBA team? To put it bluntly, the answer is yes. After having a great first season with CSKA Moscow, Will Clyburn is NBA ready. In the 2017-2018 EuroLeague season, Clyburn averaged 11.6 points (45.1% 2FG) (38.6% 3FG), 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. The 28-year old has great athletic abilities, he is entering his prime and this year he improved his jump shot. In the EuroLeague, Clyburn averaged an impressive 38.6% from beyond the arc, while last year with Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul he shot 28.9% from the three-point line.
His contract with CSKA Moscow is a two-year deal, but the ‘Army Team’ does not put obstacles when the NBA is on the line. So, if Clyburn wants to travel to the States and follow the ‘NBA Dream’, we may see him in the National Basketball Association starting next year.
Nikola Milutinov
- Stats: 8.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG
- Team: Olympiacos Piraeus
- Age: 23
- Position: C
Back in 2015, Nikola Milutinov was selected 26th overall by the San Antonio Spurs, and since then he has been playing for Olympiacos Piraeus in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Even though the Greek team did not make Belgrade’s Final Four, Milutinov had a substantial impact in the 29 games he played. He put up 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot an impressive and efficient 65.3% from the field.
Milutinov, 23, changed agents and he is represented by Octagon. He has a one million buy out with Olympiacos – which is more than manageable – and if the San Antonio Spurs want to sign him, they can have him.
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