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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Arturas Gudaitis (#77 EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)make a slam dunk during a basketball game of Poste Mobile Playoff Lega Basket A between EA7 Emporio Armani Milano vs Germani Basket Brescia at Mediolanum Forum, in Milan, Italy, on 26 May 2018. (Photo by Roberto Finizio/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

25. Arturas Gudaitis, C, AX Olimpia Milano

Nationality/College: Lithuanian

2017-2018 stats: 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 blocks per game (AX Milano)

Career synopsis: Gudaitis was selected with the 47th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers after playing on Zalgiris’s youth team. His rights have since been traded twice, to Sacramento, who brought him over for Summer League, and then to Cleveland. In that time he’s blossomed as another big to have the age-24 breakout season, advancing to Lietuvos Rytas and last year hitting the big stage with AX Milano.

Representative Highlight Play:

What’s his skill set?: Gudaitis is a traditional five that makes his money on short rolls and post-ups on offense, and is a rim protector on defense. He has cinder block feet, but he makes up for that lack of agility with surprising hops and raw power developed by his 7-foot frame.

What makes him special?: Gudaitis was a big reason AX Milano went from forgotten club to Euroleague TV favorite last year. While his impact didn’t reach the win/loss column, he made the team insanely fun to watch because of his methodical post moves, out of control challenges at the rim, and clutch rebounding. Now that the Cavs are without LeBron, they should be keeping a close eye on Gudaitis, who seems to be hitting his prime and might be worth an NBA flier as a flashback to peak Timofey Mozgov.

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