The Euroleague's 50 best players: 30-21

The Euroleague’s 50 best players: 30-21

BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 18: dLuigi Datome, #70 of Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul in action during the 2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague F4 Semifinal B game between Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul v Zalgiris Kaunas at Stark Arena on May 18, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Francesco Richieri/EB via Getty Images) /

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ATHENS, GREECE – MARCH 23: Bryant Dunston, #42 of Anadolu Efes Istanbul react during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 28 game between Olympiacos Piraeus and Anadolu Efes Istanbul at Peace and Friendship Stadium on March 23, 2018 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/EB via Getty Images) /

21. Bryant Dunston, C, Anadolu Efes

Nationality/College: American (Fordham)

2017-18 stats: 10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 blocks per game (Efes)

Career synopsis: Dunston’s entry to European hoops came through Greece, where he got plugged in with Aris and, after a one-year stint at Varese in Italy, joined Olympiacos. He enters his sixth Euroleague season this year and fourth year with Efes. He was All-Euroleague Second Team in 2017, and is a two time Best Defender winner with Olympiacos.

Representative Highlight Play:

What’s his skill set?: Another player who fits the mold of the prototypical Euro five. Dunston’s one of the strongest players in Euroleague, and his power moves under the hoop have helped him be a consistent double-double threat. He has developed into a strong passer out of the post as well, and his defense is predicated on lurking along the baseline and erasing shots at the rim. He’s not the most technically sound defender, but his ceiling there is much higher than all but a select few in Euroleague.

What makes him special?: Dunston is a lot like his former teammate, Thomas Heurtel — he’s not always consistent, but when he has a mismatch, he’s phenomenal. He uses his raw power to move mountains in the paint, and he is entertaining because he’s also one of the most expressive players in the league, a member of the Kevin Love Compromising Facial Contortion All-Stars. If you watch an Efes game this season, Dunston will be the player to keep an eye on, because his impact is always felt, for better or worse.

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