The Euroleague's 50 best players: 20-11

The Euroleague’s 50 best players: 20-11

BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 18, 2018: Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul's Marko Guduric (L), Jan Vesely (2nd R) and Zalgiris Kaunas' Beno Udrih (2nd L) and Antanas Kavaliauskas (R) in action in their 2017/2018 Euroleague Final Four Semifinal B basketball match at Stark Arena. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav KrasilnikovTASS via Getty Images) /

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Adam Hanga during the match between FC Barcelona and Baskonia corresponding to the semifinals of the Liga Endesa, on 08th June, 2018, in Barcelona, Spain.— (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

17. Adam Hanga, SF, Barcelona

Nationality/College: Hungarian

2017-18 stats: 8.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists per game (Barcelona)

Career synopsis: Selected 59th in the 2011 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, Hanga has been an attractive bet to come to the Spurs ever since. However, he has stayed in Spain since outside of a loan spell at Avellino in Italy, coming over to Manresa and then Baskonia before joining Barcelona on a big contract last summer. He peaked in 2017, winning Euroleague’s Best Defender award, and has also made a Final Four with Baskonia in 2016.

Representative Highlight Play:

What’s his skill set?: If Jenkins in Euroleague’s best point of attack defender, Hanga is probably still the league’s best overall perimeter defender. Able to defend all five positions, Hanga’s lateral quickness and strength combination mean that he can handle any assignment on a given night. However, that’s not his only positive, as he’s shown great skill as a slasher and secondary ball-handler as well. He has never really developed a 3-point shot, but he’s a very valuable two-way player.

What makes him special?: This is a make-or-break year for Hanga, who took a step back last year, likely due to a few injuries that hampered him throughout the season. He had surgery in the offseason, and will miss the beginning of the year, but if he’s healthy he is likely the single most important player for swinging Barca’s ceiling. Having him to anchor the defense will be hugely important for helping to supplement what should be a killer offense in Catalonia — but if he’s dealing with injury again, this could be a third straight non-playoff year. This also might be his last shot at earning the call from San Antonio at age 29, so hopefully we get fully weaponized Hanga again — for our, and his sake.

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