[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Examining Europe’s Top Draft Prospects (Valanciunas, Motiejunas And Vesely)

By: Erildas Budraitis

Mar 09, 2011 3:00 PM EST

Kevin Seraphin, a rookie with the Wizards, was the only European player selected in the first round in the 2010 NBA Draft.

However, while Seraphin spends symbolic minutes on the court and is waiting for his chance, four big men from Europe — Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas and Jan Vesely — will likely hear their name in the first round of 2011 NBA Draft and those European talents will try to shake things up in the league.

While Kanter can’t play for UK and is preparing for the NBA without actual game action, here is a quick look at how other three Europeans have been playing this season.

Jonas Valanciunas – Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania)

Quick stats: 7.7 points, 5.8 rebounds in 15 minutes in Euroleague, 12.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks in 21 minutes in Lithuanian championship.

One of the most promising young European talents, Valanciunas already has a significant role in his Euroelague debut season in Lietuvos Rytas. Valanciunas, who will turn 19 on May, has appeared in 14 Euroleague games, eight starts and being at young age, surprisingly proved himself as one of the most productive big men in the league.

Numbers speak for them selves: the Lithuanian center averages 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in only 15 minutes. That means Valanciunas scores 0.51 points (12th result in the league) and grabs 0.36 rebound (second result) per minute. Despite Valanciunas’ productiveness and consistency, head coach Aleksandr Trifunovic has limited center’s minutes as Valanciunas played 20 minutes or more only twice during this Euroleague season. The main reason of that is Valanciunas still lack of muscles and needs to improve his arsenal of offensive moves.

What is more important, Valanciunas shoots an incredible 70 percent from short distance and 92 percent from the free throw line in Euroleague. It seems that Valanciunas has everything what it takes to be a great NBA center – talent, body, experience and relentless work ethic.

Donatas Motiejunas – Benetton Trevizo (Italy)

Quick stats: 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds in 29 minutes in Eurocup, 12.4 points, 4.1 rebounds in 24 minutes in Italian championship.

Donatas Motiejunas, another big man from Lithuania, earned his coach’s trust and received more playing time in Eurocup this season. The 20-year-old forward’s minutes went up from 20 to 29, and so did his scoring and rebounding numbers. However, his inconsistent free throw shooting should make NBA teams worry as Motiejunas made only 31 of his 53 shots in Eurocup this year.

It’s easy to see that Motiejunas body is maturing and its getting ready for the NBA. Nevertheless, his inconsistency, defending and rebounding skills are questionable and that is why Motiejunas will probably miss the Top-5, but it’s difficult to believe that this kind of versatile talent won’t be drafted in Top 10 or at least Top 15.

Jan Vesely – Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)

Quick stats: 10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds in 27 minutes in Euroleague, 9.9 points, 4.7 rebounds in 24 minutes in Adratic league.

It seems that Jan Vesely is the most mentally ready for the NBA European player of all prospects. It was the third Euroelague season for Vesely and he feels that it’s time to make it to the NBA – the Czech talent has officially declared that he’s entering this year’s draft.

A lot of people say Vesely probably made a mistake by skipping last year’s draft as he believed that working with coach Dusko Vujosevic would help him progress faster. However, Vujosevic left the team and the 20-year-old forward had a difficult start to the season but lately started “to do his thing”. Vesely scored only 16 points, made 6-of-15 from the field in first three Euroleague games.

Of course, we cannot compare this season with last one, where Vesely helped Partizan reach Euroleague Final Four, but there probably was more good than bad this year.

Vesely scored 17 twice against Montepaschi and Caja Laboral during the Euroleague season and finished maybe his last Euroleague season strong – ending up with season-high 23 points and 6 boards against Efes Pilsen. Vesely proved that he’s the same talented and gifted player as he was last season.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/article/211986/Examining_Europes_Top_Draft_Prospects_(Valanciunas_Motiejunas_And_Vesely)#ixzz1GCyOXER1

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

 I actually think that all 4 of these players could go in the lottery. Is that possible? I wonder what the record is for the most international players in the lottery? If all 4 go in the lottery that could break the record!

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

 I actually think that all 4 of these players could go in the lottery. Is that possible? I wonder what the record is for the most international players in the lottery? If all 4 go in the lottery that could break the record!

[delfamParticipant]

 don’t think Kanter counts as an international player since he played high school ball in the U.S. and was going to play college here too.

[delfamParticipant]

 don’t think Kanter counts as an international player since he played high school ball in the U.S. and was going to play college here too.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Born in Switzerland, played "pro" in Turkey, dude is definitely playing Turkish national ball. I mean, if he had played at Kentucky, than maybe you could call him an NCAA prospect, but he never did. I think one year of US ball does not really single a guy out as not being an international prospect when most of his big games were played in some form of international competition. In 2002, 4 international guys went in the top 15 with 3 in the top 7 (Yao Ming, Niko Tshkitishvilli, Nene and Bostjan Nachbar. Not to mention Jiri Welsch went #16). But, yes, if all 4 were taken lottery, it would be the first time 4 European born players have been taken that high in an NBA draft. I think it is a very real possibility in this draft. Jonas and Donatas both play internationally for Lithuania, Vesely plays for Czech Republic and Kanter for Turkey. Of them, only Vesely has played thus far for the senior national team.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Born in Switzerland, played "pro" in Turkey, dude is definitely playing Turkish national ball. I mean, if he had played at Kentucky, than maybe you could call him an NCAA prospect, but he never did. I think one year of US ball does not really single a guy out as not being an international prospect when most of his big games were played in some form of international competition. In 2002, 4 international guys went in the top 15 with 3 in the top 7 (Yao Ming, Niko Tshkitishvilli, Nene and Bostjan Nachbar. Not to mention Jiri Welsch went #16). But, yes, if all 4 were taken lottery, it would be the first time 4 European born players have been taken that high in an NBA draft. I think it is a very real possibility in this draft. Jonas and Donatas both play internationally for Lithuania, Vesely plays for Czech Republic and Kanter for Turkey. Of them, only Vesely has played thus far for the senior national team.

[PureshooterParticipant]

Maybe I’m drawing this comparison only because he was supposed to go to Kentucky, but Kanter reminds me of Cousins a bit.  I think Vesely might be the most intriguing prospect on here though.  The guy has huge upside.

[PureshooterParticipant]

Maybe I’m drawing this comparison only because he was supposed to go to Kentucky, but Kanter reminds me of Cousins a bit.  I think Vesely might be the most intriguing prospect on here though.  The guy has huge upside.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Kanter reminds me of Cousins a bit too. Ive never seen him play a game, but from highlights and from reading up he seems to be a finesse/power blend, large for a PF, and about the regular C size, very fluid movement, great footwork, reasonable mid range game, and a solid post game. Like most bigs im sure he could work on his D and getting stronger as well. The thing I like about Kanter is his dominant personality which I think will translate great to NBA basketball. People are going to pass up on Kanter because he didnt play, and because he "may" have knee issues. They are going to regret that severly as I belive he will end up either the best or second best player in this draft.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Kanter reminds me of Cousins a bit too. Ive never seen him play a game, but from highlights and from reading up he seems to be a finesse/power blend, large for a PF, and about the regular C size, very fluid movement, great footwork, reasonable mid range game, and a solid post game. Like most bigs im sure he could work on his D and getting stronger as well. The thing I like about Kanter is his dominant personality which I think will translate great to NBA basketball. People are going to pass up on Kanter because he didnt play, and because he "may" have knee issues. They are going to regret that severly as I belive he will end up either the best or second best player in this draft.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Ive seen Vesely play, the guy is a sparkplug real energy type guy. He will be a very good role player in this league, and one of the most athletic Euro prospects ever to play in the NBA. If he can look at a play like Bostjan Nachbar and try to be the ultimate pest, hustler, and energy guy he will have a great career. Nothing worse then a super athletic, long, guy chasing after every loose ball, and getting in your face on every play when your some guy who makes a living off of scoring, and filling up stat sheets lol. NBA needs more guys like Vesely.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Ive seen Vesely play, the guy is a sparkplug real energy type guy. He will be a very good role player in this league, and one of the most athletic Euro prospects ever to play in the NBA. If he can look at a play like Bostjan Nachbar and try to be the ultimate pest, hustler, and energy guy he will have a great career. Nothing worse then a super athletic, long, guy chasing after every loose ball, and getting in your face on every play when your some guy who makes a living off of scoring, and filling up stat sheets lol. NBA needs more guys like Vesely.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

I don’t follow Euro ball, but when I hear about these prospects and then I see their average stats, I’m really not impressed. Shouldn’t at least some of these guys average more than 12 points a game? I know Euro ball at the high level is tougher than U.S. college ball. But where are the prospects that are scoring 20 points a game? Someone must be dominating those Euro games. Why aren’t those folks being recruited to come to the NBA? I guess Ricky Rubio would qualify as a real star who was drafted. But he is clearly the exception and the more common draftee is some 20 year old who gets 15 minutes a game, like the guys above. It doesn’t really make sense to me.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

I don’t follow Euro ball, but when I hear about these prospects and then I see their average stats, I’m really not impressed. Shouldn’t at least some of these guys average more than 12 points a game? I know Euro ball at the high level is tougher than U.S. college ball. But where are the prospects that are scoring 20 points a game? Someone must be dominating those Euro games. Why aren’t those folks being recruited to come to the NBA? I guess Ricky Rubio would qualify as a real star who was drafted. But he is clearly the exception and the more common draftee is some 20 year old who gets 15 minutes a game, like the guys above. It doesn’t really make sense to me.

[HitsterParticipant]

Perry Jones is only averaging 14ppg in the NCAA and he’s rated as high or higher than the Euro guys. The Euro League is probably the 2nd best in the world after the NBA.

No player however good tends to average as many points in the NCAA as in the NBA for some strange reason even minutes adjusted.

Of the Euro guys I’ve always liked Motiejunas’s skillset the best so I’ll stick with that going forward even though Kanter may be drafted above him. Vesley could be the safest choice amongst the Euro prospects also perhaps.

[HitsterParticipant]

Perry Jones is only averaging 14ppg in the NCAA and he’s rated as high or higher than the Euro guys. The Euro League is probably the 2nd best in the world after the NBA.

No player however good tends to average as many points in the NCAA as in the NBA for some strange reason even minutes adjusted.

Of the Euro guys I’ve always liked Motiejunas’s skillset the best so I’ll stick with that going forward even though Kanter may be drafted above him. Vesley could be the safest choice amongst the Euro prospects also perhaps.

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