Amazing European hit in the 2011 NBA Draft, held last night in the Prudential Center of Newark (USA). If we consider Congolese Bismack Biyombo ('92) from Europe (he played there last years), four of the first seven prospects selected come from there. The best? Turkish phenom Enes Kanter ('92), this year in Kentucky (NCAA) without playing due to eligibility rules, appeared in number 3 after being picked by Utah Jazz. After him, at number 5, Toronto Raptors selected Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas ('92), from Lietuvos Rytas, even he has a 2.5M buy-out. One position after (#6), Czech Jan Vesely ('90), from Partizan Belgrade, was chosen by Washington Wizards. One of the big surprises came immediately, with Biyombo (played this season in spanish ACB). The power-forward, who collected a triple-double in the Nike Hoop Summit, was selected by Charlotte Bobcats. But more Europeans were picked in the first round. Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic ('90), from Southern California (NCAA), was selected by Philadelphia Sixers at number 16. Later, Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas ('90), from Benetton Treviso, at #20 (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Spanish-Montenegrin Nikola Mirotic ('90), from Real Madrid, #23 by Houston Rockets.

 

Some other names were expected to appear in second round. And the first arrived early. Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic ('89), from Cibona Zagreb, was #31 by Miami Heat, while Latvian Davis Bertans ('92), from Olimpija Ljubljana, was selected #42 by Indiana Pacers. One of the Europan surprises was Serbian Milan Macvan ('89), from Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The power-forward was selected #54 by Cleveland Cavaliers, while Hungarian Adam Hanga ('89), who some weeks ago signed for an ACB team (Assignia Manresa) was adquired by San Antonio Spurs.

 

Photo: NBA.COM