The 50 most interesting players in European hoops: Nos. 50-41

44. Elmedin Kikanovic, C, AS Monaco

Kikanovic is not everyone’s cup of tea, but his game is all of the old man action you could want in a Balkan center you’ve never heard of. He’s a whirlwind of flailing hook shots, off-kilter jumpers and overpowering strength in the post, the perfect picture of the classic European big man. He averaged 16.4 points per game on 55.5 percent shooting last season, and he’s a handful for European centers to deal with because of his range of moves and counter-moves and that bewildering 15-foot jumper.

At 28-years-old, Kikanovic will head to France after spending the last two seasons at ALBA Berlin. For Monaco, he will be their No. 1 option, surrounded by solid role players like Sergii Gladyr and Aaron Craft. (Yes, THAT Aaron Craft). He should put Monaco into the contender pool in the Basketball Champion’s League, as he’s the most polished big in the tournament, and that can swing things in a major way at that level of competition. He’ll be a must-watch on Wednesdays, as he inevitably puts some poor young big man in a blender for 26-28 minutes week in and week out.