The Euroleague’s 50 best players: 50-41

47. Rudy Fernandez, SG, Real Madrid

Nationality/College: Spanish

2017-18 stats: 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game (Real Madrid

Career synopsis: Rudy played four years in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets, where he was a highly productive bench player for several playoff teams. That stint was sandwiched between two tours of duty in the ACB, first with Joventut and then with Real Madrid since 2011. He’s going to go down as one of the legends of the golden age of Spanish basketball of the 2000s, as he’s won three Eurobasket gold medals, two Euroleague titles, one Eurocup championship with Joventut (where he was also MVP), and was two-time All-Euroleague first team.

Representative Highlight Play:

What’s his skill set?: Flair, historically. Rudy has been all about flair through his career — finesse no-look passes, gliding lay-ups and dunks on fast breaks, devilish pick-pockets. As he’s aged, he’s become more of a measured spot-up shooter and sound defender, but he can still take over a game now and then.

What makes him special?: With Juan Carlos Navarro retired, Fernandez is the elder statesman of Spanish hoops. He’s probably beginning the twilight of his career as he’s dealt with injuries on and off, but when he’s clicking he’s the Jamal Crawford of Euroleague — an impossible offensive cover thanks to his jumper and handle that can steal a game from you and routinely was the guiding hand as Madrid leaned heavily on the young Luka Doncic. With Doncic gone, it’s even more important for Rudy to deliver one last firestorm of offensive production this year. We will see if this legend can do it.