The predictions of the 2010 NBA Draft from an european point of view were bad. And have been bad. Only one european prospect has been choosen in the first round, the same as 1997 with french Olivier SaintJean (later, Tarik Abdul Wahad). Since then there have been many of them appearing in the first round till yesterday. Kevin Seraphin ('89), from Cholet, is the man. He missed the Adidas Eurocamp of Treviso and the final french play-off games due to an injury, but finally Chicago Bulls trusted in him, even they traded him to Washington Wizards. But the 17th position has been a surprise for him (too higher). We saw him talking with Chris Wallace (Memphis) in Treviso, but that wasn't his destiny. His buy-out is attractive for the NBA (500k), so we can see him there in a few months. Also from the same french team (Cholet) guard Rodrigue Beaubois ('88) landed last summer in the NBA and Nando de Colo ('87) signed in Valencia (ACB). Many interesting prospects are growing there. Cristophe Leonard ('90) can be the next one. And that's it. We must turn page and check the second round to find more. Let's do it.
German center Tibor Pleiss ('89), from Brose Baskets Bamberg, has been the second, choosen by New Jersey Nets at the 31st pick. Some hours later his rights were traded to Atlanta Hawks, but doesn't seem he will jump to USA briefly. Like Seraphin he won the domestic league with his team, but in this case being an important piece in the final game. He made many work-outs with different franchises, increasing his value every day more.
Serbian Nemanja Bjelica ('88), from Red Star, appeared in the 35th pick for Washington Wizards, but seems he will be traded to T-Wolves. The forward has been one of the names that appeared in more articles last weeks in Europe, with teams such as FC Barcelona and Benetton Treviso chasing him. Some rumors say that San Antonio Spurs planned to pick him in number 20, but a bad work-out with them changed their opinion.
After a great individual season in Murcia -even his team fell down from ACB- brazilian Paulao Prestes ('88) was choosen by number 45 for Timberwolves. He got injured before the end of the league and many people thought he won't be choosen. But without making any work-outs the has shown that some people believe in his potential.
Drafted with the number 49 by San Antonio Spurs brit forward Ryan Richards ('91) showed that doesn't matter making a bad year if you make good work-outs and a great first day in the Chicago Combine. He said some days ago he won't go back to Europe to play, so for sure we will see him at least at the D-League. Eventhough he thought he will appear between the last positions of first round and the first positions on second. No way. Maybe the doubts around this almost unknown player for many NBA scouts till some weeks ago helped that.
But the big european surprise in this draft has been french guard Pape Sy ('88), from Le Havre, choosen by Atlanta Hawks in number 53. He has averaged 5 points and 41% from downtown in only 14 minutes. We will see how he reacts after this surprise.
Photo: Craig Ruttle - AP
