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

6. Chris Singleton, C, Panathinaikos

Singleton is poised to take Udoh’s mantle as Euroleague’s most versatile big man. The former Washington Wizards forward plays full-time in the post for Panathinaikos, and his two-way play was a primary reason that PAO was able to claim the fourth seed in the regular season last year. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last season, with shooting splits of 49/39/77. He was equally at home rolling to the rim, where his athleticism allows him to finish over and through most Euroleague centers, or flaring to the line, where he can put lumbering centers in a bind with his shot and blow-by speed. On the defensive end, he’s able to defend three through five, and that versatility ended up saving a team that relied on a frustrating Ioannis Bourousis at center last year.

This season might be a transition year for Panathinaikos. Bourousis and James Feldeine are gone, Nick Calathes is getting older and less threatening, and the team will attempt to break in several new pieces like Matt Lojeski, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Zach Auguste. With several teams looking much improved this year, Panathinaikos may be at risk of missing the playoffs entirely. If they do make it, and especially if they repeat as a top-5 team, that’s going to come on the back of Singleton continuing to blossom as a top Euroleague talent. He’s good enough to make that happen.