The 50 most interesting players in European hoops: Nos. 10-1

10. Jan Vesely, C, Fenerbahce

Vesely famously flamed out of the NBA, but he’s been lightning in a bottle for Fenerbahce since arriving a few years ago. He was a major part of the championship win for the Turkish squad last year, and he’s Euroleague’s most unstoppable force as a pick-and-roll finisher. His partnership with Ekpe Udoh, now of the Utah Jazz, allowed him to play to his strengths — he averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and basically was allowed to work as a finisher and rebounder while Udoh or Nikola Kalinic did the rest.

Udoh’s gone now, and so is that luxury. Vesely will have to provide more than just rim-rocking dunks and rebounds, especially on the defensive end, where Fenerbahce doesn’t have a great answer for losing the runner up for Euroleague Defensive Player of the Year. Jason Thompson will help, and Nicolo Melli should keep the offensive end humming. But it’s up to Vesely to help provide the rim protection that Fenerbahce became so reliant on. Let’s see if he can make a jump and become something more.