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NBA Rookie Ladder: Ranking draft and stash heroes

By Brandon Jefferson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) /
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1. Anzejs Pasecniks

Last, but certainly not least we have Anzejs Pasecniks. Pasecniks is the lone player on this listed that was actually selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. Taken by the Orlando Magic with the 25th overall pick, the 7-foot-2 Latvian’s rights were dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers on draft night.

Much like his fellow countryman, Kristaps Porzingis, Pasecniks rode a productive year in the ACB to first round status. It is his fluidity as a 7-footer that really makes him leap off the video when watching him play for Gran Canaria.

He operates mostly out of the pick-and-roll and despite being just 220 punds he has great balance and footwork on his rolls to the rim. The coordination doesn’t stop with just his feet either. Pasecniks displays great hands, catching just about everything that comes his way (lobs, entry passes, pocket passes, fast passes, slow passes, high passes, low passes, etc.).

His shot looks pleasing, but the results have not followed suit to this point. He is shooting a discouraging 23.1 percent on 3-pointers when combining his EuroCup and ACB statistics this season. He also has not had as big of an impact as a rebounder as you would hope to see from a guy who is going to be the tallest player on the floor most nights. Across EuroCup and ACB competition he is only pulling down four rebounds per game.

Next: Every NBA team's greatest draft pick of all time

Pasecniks was selected to the 2016-17 Spanish League All-Young Players team. Since its inception in the 2013-14 season the following players have been selected to an All-Young Players team: Porzingis (13-15), Alex Abrines (13-15), Walter Tavarres (13-14), Willy Hernangomez (14-16), Juancho Hernangomez (15-16), Sasha Vezenkov (16-17), and Luka Doncic (15-17). Every player — with the exception of Doncic — has either been drafted by an NBA team or played in a NBA game.

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