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

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35. Mathias Lessort, C, Crvena Zvezda

Lessort, the No. 50 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, moves from French league squad Nanterre to a Euroleague side in Crvena Zvezda, and how he performs in his new role will be intriguing for Philadelphia 76ers fans. Lessort played very effectively in a limited role in France, posting elite rebounding stats and shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. He also struggled in Summer League though, and there are significant questions about his long-term NBA value. He’s probably a full-time five at the NBA level because of his skill set, but he might not be big enough to fill that role effectively at the NBA level. How he deals with the larger centers of the Adriatic League will help determine if he can overcome those issues at the NBA level.

But in the European context? This is going to be fun. Lessort is a fiery competitor, a guy that does all of the dirty work and wears his emotions on his sleeve when he plays. That’s a perfect fit for Red Star, who have by far the most intimidating home court environment in Euroleague. Zvezda fans are going to love Lessort, who will act as an extension of their fire and passion on the floor during games. Even if he’s not an NBA player, this year should be a strong coming out party for him at the Euroleague level.

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