European Prospects

One month ago, I started this review and now today it is time to go for an update of the process. I changed some of the Mocks that I will use and will now stay with a total of 6 different Mocks that are used for this article. So here are the results.

Danilo Gallinari (8th)

The Italian forward is improving his Draft stock with the different mocks and moved several places higher in the Ranking. He is definitely the Number 1 pick from Europe right now according to the different sites in our review. NBAdraft.net is still having him behind Batum but “il Gallo” is the man right now.

Nicolas Batum (11th)

Not a lot of changing for Batum who remains with a predicted averaged 11th place but sled behind Danilo Gallinari. The last four games in the French league were impressive for the 1988 born forward as he averaged 14ppg 6.3rpg and 4.5apg to lead Le Mans to a 10-1 streak over the last weeks. Since the end of the Euroleague, his mediatic presence may have decreased but he is now preparing to lead Le Mans to the French title.

Omer Asik (37th)

A big gap between the two top prospects and the rest and we have a new third highest ranked player with Omer Asik. Pretty unknown before this season, Asik is constantly moving up the different Mocks and is now even a first round pick for some of them. His still improving performances in the Euroleague are certainly not passing the eyes of the NBA scouts and he might end up around a 30th place in June.

Nikola Pekovic (40th)

The weeks follow and the performances of Pekovic maintain as well. Also in our review, he improved just one spot from 41 to 40 and he is considered throughout the panel as a legit early second rounder. He has one of his most important games ahead this week in the Euroleague as he can help Partizan to qualify for the Top8 playoffs which would be a big surprise.

Serge Ibaka (41st)

Still not considered as a Draft pick this year for Draftexpress and Basketdraft, Ibaka remains a consensus second rounder for 2008 even if those that have him in their Mocks see him at the end of the first round. Far away from dominating in the 2nd Spanish league, the Congolese born forward is still all about potential right now. The next season may be determinant for his future if he moves up to a higher ranked team in European hierarchy eventually.

Semih Erden (45th)

Yet another member of the impressive Fenerbahce Ülker frontcourt and also a nice progression over the season for him. Moving up from 51 to 45 is nearly the top performance of this month in the different Draft boards. Erden, who is back from his little injuries is still contending for a Euroleague Top8 spot and his athletic play should help his team to move to the next round.

Goran Dragic (47th)

Despite still lots of ups and downs, Dragic has maintained an interesting scoring level over the last few weeks in the Adriatic league. Still not a major assist deliverer, his athletic capabilities are interesting on the European level but average for a NBA point guard. It is Draft year for him, so he will probably be present at some workouts but they will coincide with the preparation of the Slovenian NT for the Olympic qualifier in Athens.

Rodrigue Beaubois (48th)

Another upmover in the person of Rodrigue Beaubois who is coming seriously back from his injury at the beginning of the season. Heavily athletic,he averaged more than 20 minutes per game over the last weeks with Cholet and he is now a regular contributor for the surprising French team. Still not being considered by half of the Mocks, he will probably enter the race when the Draft is approaching.

Anton Ponkrashov (52nd)

Another nice move up for the Russian guard who is playing a great season away from his hometeam CSKA Moscow in Khimky. While Draftexpress and NBADraft.net are particularly high on him, some other Mocks do not have him at all in their Top 60 predictions. As he is automatically eligible this season, Ponkrashov comes up with his best basketball in the right moment.

Ante Tomic (53rd)

The talented big guy from Croatia is still not being considered as one of the top prospects in Europe despite a perfect set of basketball skills. He is playing in the somehow anonymity of KK Zagreb and so his individual performances are not at the top of the radar of the media coverage. However, he came up as DX’s European Prospect of the week but still he is not on the board for a lot of people as the consensus goes for a 2009 Draft for him.

Alexis Ajinca (58th)

Still only one Mock that has him in for 2008, and that even in the First Round. NBA Draft.net is particularly high on him and his limited performances since the Semaine de As did not hit his stock as one could expect. He has of course still high extremely intriguing athletic potential, now he has to become a regular contributor on the French national level.

Mantas Kalnietis (59th)

Kalnietis’ numbers are improving the last weeks and so does his Draft stock. Undrafted in our latest consensus, he has now entered the board. Also a 1986 born player, he has to come up big in the next weeks if he wants to remain in the race for the Draft spots.

Undrafted: Peja Samardziski, Rudy Mbemba