We are still in January, but next NBA Draft can be one of the most intriguing of last years from the european point of view. In the last lottery only a few prospects coming from overseas were chosen, while many of them retired their names after declaring eligible. French Kevin Seraphin ('89, number 17), currently in Washington Wizards (2.5p+2.5r in 9'), was the only one who appeared in the first round, while german Tibor Pleiss ('89, 31), serbian Nemanja Bjelica ('88, 35), brazilian Paulo Prestes ('88, 45), brit Ryan Richards ('91, 49) and senegalese Pape Sy ('88, 53) were the others. But next edition won't be the same. Different prospects can make big impact. Let's check who can be those names and also in what position in the Mock Drafts they appear.
-Jonas Valanciunas ('92, Lithuania), at the pic: The center of Lietuvos Rytas, who won last U-18 European Championship, is enjoying with interesting minutes in Euroleague, showing his great physical skills. In the top european competition is averaging 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 14 minutes.
DraftExpress: 3. NBADraft.net: 12.
-Enes Kanter ('92, Turkey): He cannot play with Kentucky due to the NCAA rules after breaking the stats of each EC he played last summers. Will he spend the whole year without playing? There are a lot of options.
DraftExpress: 4. NBADraft.net: 5.
-Donatas Motiejunas ('90, Lithuania): Arrived to Treviso last season and he is getting better every month. In the Eurocup he is averaging 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 25', and in italian Lega 12.0+4.0 in 22'.
DraftExpress: 9. NBADraft.net: 8.
-Jan Vesely ('90, Czech Republic): The Partizan forward hasn't made a step forward this season with the serbians. Even he has shown his potential several times. He is averaging 8.8 points and 4.6 boards in 25 minutes.
DraftExpress: 11. NBADraft.net: 21.
-Jeff Taylor ('89, Sweden): The forward of Vanderbilt (NCAA), who is still in his junior season, is the second best scorer of his team with 14.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 36% behind the arc. Last two seasons he ended with 12.2 and 13.3 points.
DraftExpress: 17. NBADraft.net: -.
-Bojan Bogdanovic ('89, Croatia): One of the big surprises this season in the Euroleague playing with Cibona. He has scored 18.0 points, pulling down 3.5 boards. He has received offers from many top-level teams, but at the moment he stays in Zagreb.
DraftExpress: 28. NBADraft.net: 57.
-Elias Harris ('89, Germany): Also playing at NCAA (Gonzaga). In his second season with the Bulldogs he is averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He made a good job last summer in the WC.
DraftExpress: 36. NBADraft.net: 50.
-Xavi Rabaseda ('89, Spain): Loaned from FC Barcelona to Fuenlabrada (ACB) the forward is making a great season, with 9.2 points with 35% at three points line in 22 minutes. He has improved a lot his shooting ability.
DraftExpress: 45. NBADraft.net: -.
-Nikola Mirotic ('91, Montenegro-Spain): One of the big names of last weeks in Euope after start playing great minutes with Ettore Messina's Real Madrid. In ACB he is averaging 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14'.
DraftExpress: 46. NBADraft.net: -.
-Pablo Aguilar ('89, Spain): After shining last June in Treviso at the Adidas Eurocamp the power-forward is not playing as the people expected with CAI Zaragoza, in ACB. The prospect is averaging 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds.
DraftExpress: 58. NBADraft.net: 58.
-Lucas Riva Nogueira ('92, Brazil): The 2.12 center, currently playing at spanish fourth division (12.0pt+10.0rb+2.6bl), made a great impact in the last U-18 FIBA Americas at San Antonio. He is really unknown for many scouts.
DraftExpress: -. NBADraft.net: 27.
-Robin Benzing ('89, Germany): He retired his name from the Early Entry List last season and now he will be declared eligible automaticlly. He is playing in his home country (Ulm), in the BBL, having 15.3 points and 4.4 boards.
DraftExpress: -. NBADraft.net: 51.
Photo: ELTA/G.Savickio nuotr.
