The 50 most interesting players in European hoops: Nos. 40-31

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Jason Thompson #1 of the Toronto Raptors gets a rebound in the fourth quarter against James Jones #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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38. Hollis Thompson, SF, Olympiacos

In a way, Hollis Thompson moves from one Process to another this year. There’s a certain way to do things at Olympiacos. Defend the perimeter. Help and recover. Stay out of Vassilis Spanoulis’s way on offense; when he sits, figure something out enough to hold the lead. It’s a simple job with simple tasks, especially for the wings, who basically have to take threes, do their best on defense, and not get in the way.

For all of his faults, that was Thompson’s modus operandi with the Sixers. He took catch-and-shoot 3s and tried on defense. Even if he was overmatched at the NBA level, he did his best, and he’s revered in Philadelphia because of it. He should have to do the same in Piraeus, and he’ll definitely be revered in the same way if this fit works out the way it looks like it should. There’s probably not a high ceiling for Thompson in Euroleague, but few free agency fits seem as sure as this one.

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