France-Germany

Nando de Colo is probably one of the most interesting names out of this list when it comes to NBA Draft chances, at least according to the Mock experts. After a summer between rumors sending him to Dynamo and his first game with the French NT (28pts 9/9FG), de Colo has to come back to Cholet and drive his team to the same success than it had last year with winning the Semaine des As.

Johannes Lischka is the main man when it comes to 1987 talent in Germany. The strong forward from Giessen 46ers is an important rotation in the system of head coach Simon Cote on the SF position and he showed during the preseason some very impressive stretches on the court. Nowhere close to be an NBA talent but certainly an interesting player for the future.

Nicolai Simon is a special case and also a personal favorite. The 1987 born PG signed a few years ago at ALBA Berlin and had a very promising first season. But a severe injury stopped his progression totally and now after nearly a 1 year break, Simon is back… in the third division. After he made some interesting games with the German B National team during the Summer, ALBA let him go back to Ehingen to gain some playing time this season and then come back. And Dirk Bauermann has high hopes of bringing Simon to the Senior NT soon as he explained in an interview today.

Spain-Italy

Luigi Da Tome is currently not sure about where he is going to play next season. He is still under contract with Montepaschi Siena but it is not sure if he comes back to Mens Sana Basket this season after his loan. The thing is that Roma wants to buy him out of the remaining two years of his contract and MPS can not guarantee him the necessary playing time probably. So we have to see how his situation continues.

Henk Norel is stepping up big in the preseason for Joventut Badalona. It looks like the Dutch Power Forward can make an interesting impact in the Euroleague right from the start. His versatile play may give him some backup minutes behind the experienced Hernandez-Sonseca and Pops Mensah-Bonsu. On the other hand, his correct shot may give him also the opportunity to play on the wing together with Jan-Hendrik Jagla.

Jonas Jerebko comes of a very successful Eurobasket campaign with the Swedish National team in Division B where he was the best rebounder and 2nd best scorer of the team. Now he tries to use the gained confidence in order to improve with Angelico Biella in Italy this season.

Sergi Llull may be on the edge of his development into a Euroleague players this season. The athletic guard of Real Madrid should see some minutes after the departure of Kerem Tunceri as back-up of Pepe Sanchez and Raul Lopez when Real plays against bigger guards.

Pau Ribas will discover the Euroleague this season with Badalona and form an excitingly young back-court at Joventut together with Ricky Rubio. His driving and good pick and roll play will help him as well as his excellent long distance shot.

Greece-Turkey

Dimitris Verginis made a big step by signing with Panathinaikos this summer. Now the question is if he sees any minute with the Euroleague powerhouse because the roster is so packed on the guard positions that I personally don’t see a lot of room for him. However, a year practicing with some of the best PGs in Europe is not the worst thing to happen.

Oguz Savas is slowly but steadily improving his numbers in the Euroleague with his unathletic but very effective style. With Omer Asik out and Semih Erden apparently injured too, Savaz remains the only true center on Fenerbahce’s roster and should see extended minutes in the beginning of the season.

Other countries

Rudy Mbemba is now moving to Italy after a season in his home country Sweden where he put up big numbers. Now he tries to finally translate his talent to the next level and Rieti will offer him the opportunity. Still considered by some as an NBA prospect, Mbemba struggles as PG and is too short to play as SG. We will see if he improves in this area this season after playing a whole season as PG in Solna.

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