Fansided

5 things we learned from Eurocup 2016-17

By Trevor Magnotti

Mar 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks guard Alexey Shved (1) moves the ball up the court during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks guard Alexey Shved (1) moves the ball up the court during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Anzejs Pasecniks probably made himself an NBA first round draft pick

No player did more to secure a future look from NBA teams than Pasecniks in his run through the Top 16. The 21-year old Latvian has NBA size at 7-foot-2, but lacked substantial playing time to suggest he was ready for a shot at the NBA. Injuries gave him that shot in January, though, and he made the most of it, averaging 7.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in five Top 16 contests. Here, he was able to showcase his immense offensive potential — he finished 16-of-20 for the round, and was a consistent weapon out of the pick-and-roll, showing off his touch and fluidity around the basket, impressing NBA scouts with what could be an incredibly useful finishing profile from the center spot.

While he didn’t maintain that production as Gran Canaria flamed out of the quarterfinals, Pasecniks still proved that he belongs in the conversation as a first round 2017 NBA Draft pick. His Top 16 was perhaps the most impressive stretch of any NBA Draft hopeful this year.

Home/NBA