European Rising Stars now and in the past at Eurobasket tournaments

[preldzic]

There is an interesting analysis of young European players not yet in the NBA performing very well in Eurobasket 2017. Putting up even better numbers than some NBA stars from Europe in past European Championships.

https://fivetimesfive-blog.com/2017/09/18/eurobasket-2017-rising-stars-nba/

Kristaps Porzingis consequently seems to be far more advanced scorer compared to current European NBA players at his age. Lauri Markkanen actually seems to be a better version of Dirk Nowitzki at 20 years of age, at least statistically. Doncic put up numbers comparable to Pau Gasol’s (scoring and rebounding per 36) and Ricky Rubio’s (passing per 36), however being 3 years younger than the two Spaniards. Cedi Osman played at a slightly higher level than then 21-year-old Nicolas Batum, while Furkan Korkmaz’s production at the age of 20 wasn’t that different than that of Tony Parker at the age of 19.

Porzingis, Markkanen and Doncic stood out the most, played at a very high level, leading their teams to 5:2, 4:2 and 9:0 records. Especially considering how young they are. But can they really have similar NBA careers to Pau Gasol, Nowitzki, Tony Parker?

[LuDux1]

Doncic 3rd youngest player to make All-tournament Team
1937 – Heino Veskila 18 years 4 months
1983 – Arvydas Sabonis 18 5
2017 – Luka Doncic 18 6
1967 – Veikko Vainio 19 6
1985 – Arvydas Sabonis 20 5
1967 – Modestas Paulauskas 20 6
1985 – Drazen Petrovic 20 7
1969 – Kresmir Cosic 20 10
2001 – Pau Gasol 21 2
2003 – Tony Parker 21 3
http://hoopshype.com/2017/09/18/luka-doncic-youngest-to-make-eurobasket-all-tournament-team-since-1983/

[preldzic]

That's a very good find. But it is true that selecting players into All-Eurobasket teams depends a lot on their teams' success.

Sabonis entered the NBA at the age of 31, at that time most centers are out of their primes already. He could have been a beast in his mid 20s. However, many would argue that at that time the difference in quality between NBA and European basketball was much more significant.

[UcanUwill]

That's a very good find. But it is true that selecting players into All-Eurobasket teams depends a lot on their teams' success.

Sabonis entered the NBA at the age of 31, at that time most centers are out of their primes already. He could have been a beast in his mid 20s. However, many would argue that at that time the difference in quality between NBA and European basketball was much more significant.

True that all tournament players depends on team success, but if not those players, most teams wouldn't be there. If Doncic wasn't there, no way Slovenia is that good, so its kinda like chicken and egg situation.