The Best of Eurocamp ’08
Ibaka (photo. Matt Costa)You can already count on Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo and Spurs GM R.C. Buford to pluck some of the top prospects from outside of the U.S. But those two franchises won’t be the only ones shopping overseas. Top-to-bottom, the level of talent at this Reebok Eurocamp was top-notch – there could be as many as ten guys from the Reebok Eurocamp ’08 selected in the NBA Draft.
Now that we’ve returned from Italy, we’re looking back at the best of this year’s Reebok Eurocamp – which by all accounts was the best edition in the six year history of the camp.
MVP: Serge Ibaka (6-10 Congolese PF)
At points, nearly unstoppable. Ibaka is a spectacular athlete who changes the game at both ends of the floor. He sealed this award when he stuffed Nicolas Batum with most of his elbow over the rim.
Best Shooter: Alexey Shved (6-5 Russian SG)
Apologies to Oleksandr Kolchenko, the Ukranian shooter who could easily pass for Ivan Drago – but Shved showcased perhaps the most potential of any prospect at the camp. He just doesn’t miss. In the final game of camp, Shved lit the U20 French National team up for 26 points on 8 triples.
Best Playmaker: Goran Dragic (6-3 Slovenian PG)
Dragic is so much fun to watch in the open court. On a three-on-two break, he went behind-the-back from right to left, and then wrapped the ball back the other way to one of his teammates without taking an extra dribble. When he chose not to pass, he finished well at and above the rim. He deserves the comparison to Tony Parker that he earned a couple of years ago.
Most Upside: Giorgi Shermadini (7-1 Georgian C)
He’s 19 years old and has only been playing the game for 3 years. Shermadini led all of Europe in scoring and rebounding (35.8 points, 18.8 rebounds) as he decimated the top Georgian division. He’s already recorded an 89-point game in his young career. Of all the bigs at the camp, Big Georgi was the most aggressive and assertive attacking the basket.
Biggest Surprise: Marko Keselj (6-10 Serbian SF)
Headed into the camp, the scouting report on ESPN Insider was that Keselj is “not particularly skilled. Not a long distance threat and struggles handling the ball.” But he proved to be the polar opposite here, raining picturesque jumpers over defenders trying to close out. He and Shved were a tough one-two punch from beyond the arc for opposing defenses.
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June 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
angrykingsfan says:
Sounds like Ibaka would be good for the Kings. They need some toughness up front. Actually they need a LOT of toughness up front. I’m so pissed that they picked up Hawes (Miller 2) last year. They’re so freakin soft, it’s ridiculous.
June 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Kobeef says:
It is a stretch but I think the Grizz and Sonics should be looking at Ibaka before they decide on a point guard (which both seem to be leaning towards)
If this kid played in the NCAA last year he would have been ranked higher than Donte Green or Anthony Randolph (more athletic and stronger than both). I’d say he is the #2 PF in the draft after Beasley and may even turn out better than Beasley because he is bigger and more athletic.
June 12th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
D.H. says:
As the NBA continues to draw from the 5.5 billion person pool that is the rest of the world it will be interesting to see how this changes the face of the draft, and the future of the league for that matter. The US has shown that they are not the dominating force internationally that they once were. I wonder how long it is until we see an international starting 5 ripping it up in the L.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Celts Fan says:
Does Dime have video of that Goran Dragic move? Sounds amazing, I’d kill to check that out.
Most Upside: Giorgi Shermadini (7-1 Georgian C)
upside? sounds like, “Not ready to do shit until at least his 2nd team,” to me.
Let’s also not forget who else was from Georgia. That’s right, the immortal Nikolaz Tskitishvili.
I’ll pass…
and Kobeef, the Sonics have another #1 in the low 20s that they can (and should) use to grab Ibaka. I love him and pray he slips to the Celtics (doesn’t seem like it’s gonna happen though.)
June 12th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Desrat says:
It is still some ways away from seeing an international starting five. The dollar is not worth as much now, and those other leagues are having some pretty big payouts to. I wonder how long it is going to be before instead of an NBA finals we have a World finals everyear.
I dig the Sonics while the are in Seattle, and I hope that Ibaka comes here and eats Bennets heart. Oh wait the fool don;t have one…
June 12th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
bigpatty20 says:
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June 12th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
bill says:
Most Upside: Giorgi Shermadini (7-1 Georgian C)
upside? sounds like, “Not ready to do shit until at least his 2nd team,” to me.
Ha ha, nice one.
OR
Would fit the Sonics drafting strategy to a tee…
July 29th, 2008 at 5:55 am
bertrand says:
frero merci pour l honeur du pays