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Draft Report: International 2nd Rounders

Authored by Christopher Reina - 25th June, 2008 - 11:57 pm

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Scouting reports on every projected first rounder and many second rounders have already been released and can be found by following this link.

So with the draft mere hours away now, I've emptied out my scouting notebook to deliver reports on players that I have not done full articles on.

- Damjan Rudez Of KK Split

Rudez is one of the best creators off the dribble in the entire draft. He uses good pre-dribble moves whether it’s a shot fake or jab step. When he does put the ball on the floor, he has an awesome handle and can truly break people down. He is athletic and agile with great balance and does a good job of using his body and head to make fakes off the dribble. He might have the best change of pace dribble in the entire draft.

He has ideal mechanics on his shot and is really valuable on the pick and pop.

Rudez really blows you away on film and should be one of the steals in the second round.

- Ante Tomic Of KK Zagreb

Tomic sometimes struggles to get open in the post and doesn’t move incredibly well, definitely doesn’t move like a pure ballplayer, but he has an impressive offensive game. He has incredible touch off the glass, can score on a nice fadeaway jumper, and can hit runners into the lane with either hand.

- Omer Asik Of Alpella Istanbul

Asik moves really well without the ball for a big and is strong with the ball in the post for a European prospect. He is agile and has good footwork on the pick and roll. He has a good face-up game and can hit a mid-range jumper with ease.

He uses his length well on both sides of the floor and is a good finisher at the rim.

- Goran Dragic Of Union Olimpija

Dragic is a left-handed point guard with good size and crafty decision-making but who doesn’t have the excellent athleticism or extraordinary perimeter shot we have typically seen from foreign players who have been successful in the NBA.

His shot mechanics are a little laborious although not bad, but he’s just not very accurate from distance currently.

- Nikola Pekovic Of Partizan Belgrade

Pekovic has good low post moves for a player of his size, but his agility is extremely bad. He has a decent touch around the bucket, but most NBA defenders will have an easy time keeping him at bay. His game was designed for Europe and doesn’t translate to the NBA very well.

- Semih Erden Of Fenerbahce Ulker

Erden has a great motor and uses his strength and agility to his advantage. He runs the floor well, and he really uses his physicality to make an impact on the game.

If he improves his mid-range shot, he will be great on the pick and pop because of how he always makes sure he gets a strong body on the defender.

He can finish the ball at the rim really well, but he doesn’t have a lot of touch around the hoop.

- Mantas Kalnietis Of Zalgiris Kaunas

Kalnietis is a big, athletic point guard who is really impressive when penetrating into the lane. He has great balance, is a good finisher at the rim, and also is able to drive and kick well.

His perimeter shot isn’t the purest thing in the world and not a strength in his game, whatsoever.

Christopher Reina is the executive editor of RealGM. He can be reached at Chris.Reina@RealGM.com where he may use your draft questions in a future mailbag edition