E-News Sign Up
RSS Feeds
Print
Share on Facebook
ShareStriving to Make an Impact
This year’s international talent may be the leading revolution of "pinpoint passers, surefire shooters and team-first players" that could give more NBA teams confidence in drafting international players according to a recent front-page story in USA Today.
There have been mixed feelings about drafting international players. Although foreign players are said to be more coachable and are drafted for their professionalism and maturity; many are drafted on potential, which is a risk for any team. Contractual issues and language barriers also make drafting foreign players a tough scene but it’s a scene that teams are willing to deal with.
The Sixers have had mixed success with drafting international athletes.
Todd MacCulloch of Canada was drafted in the 1999. During the 2000 - 01 season, MacCulloch led the Sixers shooting 58.9 percent from the field. After playing the 2001-02 season with New Jersey Nets, MacCulloch returned to play for the Sixers for the 2002-03 season. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to foot neuropathy.
Samuel Dalembert of Haiti, drafted in 2001, missed the 2002 - 03 season due to arthoscopic left knee surgery. Unlike MacCulloch, Dalembert had a successful recovery and returned to play for the Sixers. Dalembert is the seventh player in franchise history to record at least three consecutive seasons (2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06) with 100-plus blocks.
The transition from the international game to the NBA is always hard for foreign players. The international game is different and played under FIBA rules. For example, the length of the game is different and offensive goaltending is allowed.
“The style of play is vastly different than American college kids and pros are used to playing,” said Courtney Witte, Sixers Director of Player Personnel. “When evaluating international players, you have to try to project and see how that player’s game is going to translate to the NBA game. It is obvious with Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni that international players have been adapting quite well in recent years.”
This year’s international talents have been preparing themselves for that major transition and plan to make an impression.
Andrea Bargnini, a 7-foot Italian forward is projected as a top-10 NBA draft pick. Bargnini is an agile athlete with great foot speed, and he is an excellent outside shooter. Despite Bargnini’s below average rebounding skills, it is unlikely that he will slip out of the top 10 picks.
Thabo Sefolosha of Switzerland, Oleksiy Pecherov of Ukraine, Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez of Spain are also expected to make an impact in the NBA if drafted.
Plenty of talent exists overseas. Due to contractual issues, much of the talent does not make it to the NBA.
Tiago Splitter, a 7-foot player from Brazil, has been on the draft radar since 2002. Splitter is agile for his size and has excellent rebounding skills. However, the NBA won’t benefit from his talent unless a buyout is worked out with TAU, his Spanish club.
“A club signs most young kids who show any promise of being a good player and this is always an issue,” said Witte. “If Tiago were free and clear he would definitely be selected.”
Language barriers are also an issue when scouting and possibly drafting international talent. With limited use of the language, it is hard for scouts to fully understand everything about a prospect.
“There is always going to be some lost translation even with a translator,” said Witte. “Fortunately, foreign kids are very adept at picking up new languages. In Europe, they are used to traveling and learning different languages. It is easier for them to adapt and pick up the language than it normally would be for an American kid to learn a new culture and language in a matter of weeks.”
Although Marcus “Marquinhos” Vinicius is one of the many athletes who travel with a translator, the language barrier has not overshadowed his talent.
Vinicius, another promising athlete from Brazil, has gained much experience playing overseas. Vinicius has played in the Reebok Eurocamp, the Nike Hoop Summit and Global Games. Any team willing to commit to the small forward will be pleased with his performance.
“The thing about him playing overseas, playing in Italy the last couple of years, that has helped him. Given the opportunity, I think he could help us this year,” said Sixers President Billy King.
Judging from this year’s potentials, international players might be just what the coach ordered. “Basketball is a global game now. Players now, as witnessed by teams in the NBA finals, can play a high level of basketball even if they are born outside of the United States,” said Witte.
There have been mixed feelings about drafting international players. Although foreign players are said to be more coachable and are drafted for their professionalism and maturity; many are drafted on potential, which is a risk for any team. Contractual issues and language barriers also make drafting foreign players a tough scene but it’s a scene that teams are willing to deal with.
The Sixers have had mixed success with drafting international athletes.
Todd MacCulloch of Canada was drafted in the 1999. During the 2000 - 01 season, MacCulloch led the Sixers shooting 58.9 percent from the field. After playing the 2001-02 season with New Jersey Nets, MacCulloch returned to play for the Sixers for the 2002-03 season. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to foot neuropathy.
Samuel Dalembert of Haiti, drafted in 2001, missed the 2002 - 03 season due to arthoscopic left knee surgery. Unlike MacCulloch, Dalembert had a successful recovery and returned to play for the Sixers. Dalembert is the seventh player in franchise history to record at least three consecutive seasons (2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06) with 100-plus blocks.
The transition from the international game to the NBA is always hard for foreign players. The international game is different and played under FIBA rules. For example, the length of the game is different and offensive goaltending is allowed.
“The style of play is vastly different than American college kids and pros are used to playing,” said Courtney Witte, Sixers Director of Player Personnel. “When evaluating international players, you have to try to project and see how that player’s game is going to translate to the NBA game. It is obvious with Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni that international players have been adapting quite well in recent years.”
This year’s international talents have been preparing themselves for that major transition and plan to make an impression.
Andrea Bargnini, a 7-foot Italian forward is projected as a top-10 NBA draft pick. Bargnini is an agile athlete with great foot speed, and he is an excellent outside shooter. Despite Bargnini’s below average rebounding skills, it is unlikely that he will slip out of the top 10 picks.
Thabo Sefolosha of Switzerland, Oleksiy Pecherov of Ukraine, Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez of Spain are also expected to make an impact in the NBA if drafted.
Plenty of talent exists overseas. Due to contractual issues, much of the talent does not make it to the NBA.
Tiago Splitter, a 7-foot player from Brazil, has been on the draft radar since 2002. Splitter is agile for his size and has excellent rebounding skills. However, the NBA won’t benefit from his talent unless a buyout is worked out with TAU, his Spanish club.
“A club signs most young kids who show any promise of being a good player and this is always an issue,” said Witte. “If Tiago were free and clear he would definitely be selected.”
Language barriers are also an issue when scouting and possibly drafting international talent. With limited use of the language, it is hard for scouts to fully understand everything about a prospect.
“There is always going to be some lost translation even with a translator,” said Witte. “Fortunately, foreign kids are very adept at picking up new languages. In Europe, they are used to traveling and learning different languages. It is easier for them to adapt and pick up the language than it normally would be for an American kid to learn a new culture and language in a matter of weeks.”
Although Marcus “Marquinhos” Vinicius is one of the many athletes who travel with a translator, the language barrier has not overshadowed his talent.
Vinicius, another promising athlete from Brazil, has gained much experience playing overseas. Vinicius has played in the Reebok Eurocamp, the Nike Hoop Summit and Global Games. Any team willing to commit to the small forward will be pleased with his performance.
“The thing about him playing overseas, playing in Italy the last couple of years, that has helped him. Given the opportunity, I think he could help us this year,” said Sixers President Billy King.
Judging from this year’s potentials, international players might be just what the coach ordered. “Basketball is a global game now. Players now, as witnessed by teams in the NBA finals, can play a high level of basketball even if they are born outside of the United States,” said Witte.
