Advance scouting

World Championships let foreign stars strut their stuff

INDIANAPOLIS -- So you’re an NBA fan and you just can’t get excited about watching the U.S. team mop up at the FIBA World Championships?

Cheer up, hoop head. This year’s World Games offer more than a chance to wrap yourself in Old Glory. It is also a prime opportunity to do some advance scouting and see which foreign stars will be next to join David Stern’s international invasion.

Forget Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Pau Gasol (Spain), Peja Stojakovic (Yugoslavia) and all the members of Team USA. Those guys are already proven stars.

The real trick is finding those relatively "unknown" players who have been drafted by an NBA team but haven’t had the chance to strut their stuff for U.S. fans. These are the guys drawing attention from all the GMs and scouts in the stands at the RCA Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse.

Here then is a primer on foreign imports hoping to make an NBA splash in coming years:

Emanuel Ginobili, SG, Argentina, 6’6", Spurs, No. 57 ('99)

One of the big stories of the World Games so far, the explosive Ginobili has been showing why the Spurs signed him to a two-year, $3 million deal this year and traded away Antonio Daniels.

Through Monday, the 25-year-old reigning Euroleague MVP had averaged 18.0 points and 4.0 assists in his first four games to help Argentina to a 4-0 record. With his ability to slash to the rim and finish in traffic, or rain jumpers from downtown, the lithe lefty has opened eyes around the league. "He’s a big-time player," one NBA scout said.

Marko Jaric, PG, Yugoslavia, 6’7", Clippers, No. 30 (’00)

Jaric, the starting point guard for Yugoslavia, will join the Clippers this season as a backup to Andre Miller. Scouts love his size, toughness and steady shot, but his lack of defensive quickness remains a concern. At age 24, and having played with so many NBA players on the Yugoslavian national team, he is more mature than many other young European imports. He’s also an aggressive, fiesty player who loves to push the ball and doesn’t back down.

Mehmut Okur, PF, 6’11" Turkey, Pistons, No. 38 ('01)

Though not as well-known as his countryman Hedo Turkoglu, Okur is a bona fide NBA prospect who will play for the Pistons this season. He can defend close to the basket, block shots, rebound and features a relatively polished low-post game. Detroit doesn’t expect him to come in and take Cliff Robinson’s spot, but head coach Rick Carlisle believes Okur can contribute off the bench this season.

Juan Carlos Navarro, PG, 6’3", Spain, Wizards, No. 40 ('02)

Known as "La Bomba," Navarro is a good shooter with quickness who has emerged as one of the top guards in Europe. However, he has a shooting guard’s mentality and probably will need to learn how to play the point if he’s to make it in the NBA. The Wizards will wait at least one more year before bringing him to the States. In the meantime, Navarro has joined Pau Gasol in making Spain one of the surprise teams of the World Games so far.

Luis Scola, PF, 6’9", Argentina, Spurs, No. 56 ('02)

The Spurs say they were shocked this 22-year-old from Spain lasted all the way to the end of the second round, but they’re glad he did. Though a bit small, Scola is a classic power forward who can score inside with a variety of post-up moves, run the floor, rebound and hit the open 15-footer. He is expected to remain in Europe for at least one more season, then join San Antonio in '03. Along with Ginobili, he's a good reason to watch Argentina.

Igor Rakocevic, PG, 6’3," Yugoslavia, Timberwolves, No. 51 ('00)

Though he hasn’t had much playing time at the World Games, Rakocevic is considered a decent long-range prospect. He still needs to get stronger and learn how to play as an NBA-style point guard, but he’s a good athlete with speed and the ability to create his own shot. Rakocevic, 24, could sign with T’wolves this season if they can’t find another suitable backup to Terrell Brandon.

Milos Vujanic, PG, 6’4", Yugoslavia, Knicks, No. 36 ('02)

Jaric’s main backup at point guard, this 22-year old has opened eyes with his solid play in limited minutes at the World Games. Scouts say he’s a good athlete who knows how to get the ball to teamates on the break. Knicks GM Scott Layden also likes his size, quickness and feel for the game, and believes his outside shooting has improved. Vujanic will play next season for his Yugoslavian pro team, but he should be in New York for the 2003 season.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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