When it comes to the 2014 NBA Draft, while most of the US media focus will fall on the boys looking to make their way from college into the big league, this is not the only route that some players have on reaching the NBA. There are a number of hopefuls looking to make their way to the NBA from Europe and at Basketball Betting, we think that there are some young European basketball players that may have an impact on the 2014 NBA Draft and the NBA season. There is no such thing as a sure pick when it comes to the NBA Draft but we expect the following players to be there or there abouts when it comes to the NBA Spotlight this summer.
Dario Saric, Croatia
Dario Saric is a Croatian basketball player, currently playing in the Croatian League for Cibona and he is just 20 years old, having turned 20 in early April. As a full member of the national basketball team, Saric has plenty of experience on the international stage and his achievements and individual success in the game suggest he is bound for bigger things in the world of basketball.
Saric initially declared himself for the 2013 NBA Draft but decided that one more year gaining experience in Croatia would be of benefit. In 2013, Saric won the Croatian Championship and national Cup with his club side while he was awarded the MVP for the finals. In February 2014, Saric was named the 2013 FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year and he was hailed as the MVP of the finals of the Adriatic League, which Cibona also won. As a point forward, Saric has a reputation, even at this young age, for making things happen, and while he undoubtedly has a lot to learn and develop with basketball, he is a player that has the confidence and ability to make his mark on the NBA.
Bogdan Bogdanović, Serbia
When the head coaches from 24 teams vote for you as the Rising Star of the Euroleague Season, you are clearly doing something right. This is the current status of 21 year old Serbian, Bogdan Bogdanović, who is currently playing for Partizan Belgrade as a shooting guard. Bogdanović only signed his fist ever professional contract in 2010 but by the summer of 2013, he was selected for the national team and it is fair to say his career has come on massively in the past year. He has found himself carrying a greater level of expectation in the big matches and Bogdanović achieved a career high in a Euroleague game against hotly tipped CSKA Moscow when he managed to achieve 27 points. This was a performance that made sure basketball pundits, fans and experts were keeping a closer eye on the player.
The @Euroleague Rising Star Trophy goes to Bogdan Bogdanovic @leaderofhorde of @PartizanBC Belgrade https://t.co/QqBjPMw4Uc
— EuroleagueBasketball (@Euroleague) May 7, 2014
Alessandro Gentile, Italy
He may only be 21 but Alessandro Gentile is a shooting guard / small forward that has clocked up plenty of experience in his short career so far. His season is still in play as the Italian league play-offs are ongoing but this just means that Gentile still has the focus and cameras on him in the run up to the 2014 NBA Draft. Gentile is clearly one of the most exciting European players eligible for the 2014 Draft and if he isn’t picked this season, you can guarantee that this is a name that will not disappear from the radar of plenty of NBA teams.
A 2012 move to EA7 Olimpia Milano furthered Gentile’s development and he was soon to make his international debut for the Italian national side in 2013. With a height of 6’6, Gentile has considerable strength although many people form the opinion that he lacks the agility and quickness to really impact on games. You have to say that this scoring record doesn’t back this up and Gentile is known as a player that has achieved great success on courts all around Europe. While you could argue that there will be plenty of time for Gentile to develop and then come to the NBA, it may be that some team believes he is worth a gamble.
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With so many hotly tipped European players in the running for the NBA Draft, you may be keen to showcase your knowledge of the game by betting on the NBA Draft. You may find this a bit strange but our NBA Draft Betting Guide provides you with everything you could want or need to know about placing bets and making money from the NBA Draft. The NBA Draft is often crucial in the success or failure of a team over the course of the NBA season but the NBA Draft could be the starting point for a successful NBA campaign for you this season.
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