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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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JUNE 13: Luigi Datome (C) of Fenerbahce in action against Henry (L) and Kenny Kadji (R) of TOFAS during the Tahincioglu Basketball League play-off Final series fifth match between Fenerbahce Dogus and TOFAS at the Ulker Sports Arena in Istanbul, Turkey on June 13, 2018. (Photo by Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

27. Luigi Datome, PF, Fenerbahce

Nationality/College: Italian

2017-18 stats: 10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game (Fenerbahce)

Career synopsis: Datome was originally a development prospect at Siena in Italy, but really found his footing at Virtus Roma, the same club that Brandon Jennings played for instead of enrolling in college. Datome’s success there was parlayed into a signing with the Detroit Pistons, and he spent a season and a half there before being traded to the Boston Celtics in 2015. The Celtics released him after that, and he’s been at Fenerbahce ever since, where he’ll begin his fourth season. He was All-Euroleague 2nd Team in his first season back, and won a Euroleague title in 2017 with Fener.

Representative Highlight Play:

What’s his skill set?: Datome thrives based on two skills. Speed, and shooting. He’s one of Euroleague’s quicker players, and that makes him an effective slasher and transition defender. He’s also hit over 44 percent from 3 in each of the past three seasons, and he’s very comfortable shooting off ball from beyond NBA range.

What makes him special?: Besides his large bushy beard, Datome, like Sloukas, is a veteran cog that keeps the Fenerbahce machine rolling. He’s always lurking in the corner or at the break for a kick-out pass from Sloukas, and his ability to plug gaps as a transition defender helps cut down on the margins that help Fenerbahce excel in close games. He also is genuinely one of the most well-spoken and kind players in the league, and he’s always a great interview and twitter follow because of his laid back nature.

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