The Euroleague's 50 best players: 50-41

The Euroleague’s 50 best players: 50-41

BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 20: Rudy Fernandez, #5 of Real Madrid and Pablo Laso, Head Coach celebrates after the 2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague F4 Championship Game between Real Madrid v Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at Stark Arena on May 20, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Rodolfo Molina/EB via Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Nigel Williams-Goss #0 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 12, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

44. Nigel Williams-Goss, PG, Olympiacos

Nationality/College: American (Gonzaga)

2017-2018 stats: 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists per game (Partizan)

Career synopsis: Williams-Goss was selected 55th in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, who retain his draft rights. The Gonzaga guard transitioned well from leading Gonzaga to the NCAA title game to the European game, earning a spot with Olympiacos after one year at Partizan. This will be his first Euroleague appearance.

Representative Highlight Play:

What’s his skill set?: Somewhat like what a 2018 version of Gary Payton would be. Williams-Goss combines surgical passing with a strong driving game, and can bully smaller guards in the post pretty well. He’s not the most under control player on offense, but he thrived in Partizan’s up-tempo system as an offensive player.

What makes him special?: NWG’s quick assimilation to the European game was staggering. Most American guards struggle to learn the reigns right away — Williams-Goss was Partizan’s best player from day one. He might look very attractive to the Jazz as a bench scorer if he can replicate last year at the Euroleague level, but doing so will be challenging, because the change from being the guy in a run-and-gun system to working within David Blatt’s plodding, controlled offense will be a tough one. American draft-and-stashes rarely work anymore, but Williams-Goss has positioned himself nicely to earn a pretty nice deal from Utah in 2019.

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