EuroBasket 2017 will have strong NBA flavour
FIBA EuroBasket 2017 is set to tip off in two days and all the eyes of Global Basketball will be on the event. Yes, this is a European event at heart, but it is also among the most prestigious and watched tournaments in the sport.
One of the most interesting aspect about EuroBasket 2017 is that it will live up to the traditions of European Basketball, but with many players who ball in the NBA. The differences between European club basketball and the NBA are well known amongst hoops fans. However, Basketball is an international sport and Europe’s best travel far and wide … there is no doubt there will be an NBA flavour at EuroBasket over the next two weeks.
Many players at the tournament currently or previously have hit the floor in the NBA. The biggest league in the world rubs off on players, and the contrasts are always interesting to see when these players return ‘home’.
If you don’t follow the comings and goings of all players, check out our list below of the European players at EuroBasket 2017 who have tasted the NBA.
We have broken the list down into three categories, one with players currently active in the NBA, those who have played in the league but moved on (most recent spell), and finally those who are signed in the NBA but have not made their debut.
In total, there are 26 European players from the NBA at EuroBasket this year, with 11 former players, and 6 signed soon-to-be debutants.
It is also worth noting that some European NBA players are not listed here because they are not at the tournament. Milos Teodosic is a prime example.
Currently playing NBA Basketball
- Dragan Bender— Phoenix Suns
- Bojan Bogdanovic— Indiana Pacers
- Dario Saric— Philadelphia 76ers
- Tomas Satoransky— Washington Wizards
- Dennis Schroder— Atlanta Hawks
- Daniel Theis— Boston Celtics
- Georgios Papagiannis— Sacramento Kings
- Mindaugas Kuzminskas— New York Knicks
- Jonas Valanciunas— Toronto Raptors
- Timofey Mozgov— Brooklyn Nets
- Boban Marjanovic— Detroit Pistons
- Evan Fournier— Orlando Magic
- Joffrey Lauvergne— San Antonio Spurs
- Omri Casspi— Golden State Warriors
- Marco Belinelli— Atlanta Hawks
- Davis Bertans— San Antonio Spurs
- Kristaps Porzingis— New York Knicks
- Nikola Vucevic— Orlando Magic
- Timofey Mozgov— Brooklyn Nets
- Goran Dragic — Miami Heat
- Alex Abrines— Oklahoma City Thunder
- Marc Gasol —Memphis Grizzlies
- Pau Gasol —San Antonio Spurs
- Juancho Hernangomez —Denver Nuggets
- Willy Hernangomez —New York Knicks
- Ricky Rubio— Utah Jazz
Former NBA players
- Boris Diaw — Utah Jazz (2016-17)
- Kevin Seraphin — Indiana Pacers (2016-17)
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo — New York Knicks (2015-16)
- Nick Calathes — Memphis Grizzlies (2014-15)
- Kostas Papanikolaou — Denver Nuggets (2015-16)
- Luigi Datome — Boston Celtics (2014-15)
- Donatas Motiejunas — New Orleans Pelicans (2017)
- Sergey Karasev —Brooklyn Nets (2015-16)
- Alexey Shved — New York Knicks (2014-15)
- Anthony Randolph — Denver Nuggets (2013-14)
- Sergio Rodriguez — Philadelphia 76ers (2016-17)
Future NBA players
- Lauri Markkanen — Chicago Bulls
- Isaiah Hartenstein — Houston Rockets
- Adam Hanga — San Antonio Spurs
- Bogdan Bogdanovic — Sacramento Kings
- Furkan Korkmaz — Philadelphia 76ers
Cedi Osman — Cleveland Cavaliers