Forgotten Foreign Picks Who Have Resurfaced at NBA Summer League

One of my favorite things about the days and even years after the NBA draft is tracking the progress and futures of the international prospects lucky enough to be selected.  These players usually go on to play in the NBA Summer League to showcase their talents, particularly if they won't be able to come to the NBA for a year or so.

Given that, fans generally tend to forget about these international stars, and thus they become a pleasant surprise once they make it to the NBA a few years later.  For example, the Denver Nuggets used their first-round pick on French guard Evan Fournier (pictured) this year, but chances are he won't be in the NBA until 2013-2014.  Thus, playing in the Summer League is his way of showing team management what he can do.

Sure enough, he has been making some noise in Las Vegas this summer, along with some of his fellow international prospects.

No. 5: Tornike Shengelia

The Philadelphia 76ers selected this Georgian forward from his Belgian team in the second round of this year's draft before trading him to the Brooklyn Nets, and he actually has a decent NBA body at 6'8", 207 pounds. 

In this year's Summer League, he has averaged 10.2 points in 21 minutes a game off the bench and has impressed head coach Avery Johnson so much to the point where he might even make the team this year.

Look at it this way.  Most international picks in the second round are usually throwaway picks, or at least crapshoots since no elite college players really remain.  The fact that Shengelia is making a case for a roster spot is just plain astounding.

No. 4: Jan Vesely

The Washington Wizards took Vesely with the sixth-overall pick in the 2011 draft, but he didn't really get enough significant minutes to produce at the level he did in his native Czech Republic.  In his rookie year, he averaged just 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

In this year's Summer League, however, the 6'11" power forward seems more determined than ever.  Thus far, he is averaging 9.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.  In his last appearance against the Memphis Grizzlies, he scored nine points and pulled down an astounding 12 rebounds.

It's unclear as to how much playing time Vesely will get once the regular season starts, as he will probably be playing behind starting power forward Nene, but his performance in Las Vegas will surely give coach Randy Wittman some reason to consider giving him more minutes.

No. 3: Evan Fournier

Fournier made his name in his native France as a solid shooting guard and has averaged 13 points per game in the Nuggets' Summer League thus far. 

Yet, he has only shot 37 percent from the floor, as he appears to be a bit overdetermined to make it to the NBA next season.  Given how many shooters Denver has, chances are he'll remain in France for one more year.

In all honesty, that is probably the best thing for Fournier.  He's only 19 and has plenty of time to make his game fuller.  Still, his 13 points per game in Las Vegas are nothing to sneeze at and hint at a boatload of potential for him.

No. 2: Donatas Motiejunas

The Rockets need some size before the season starts, especially since they foolishly amnestied Luis Scola, and he is now on the Phoenix Suns.  Fortunately for Houston, last year's first-round pick in Lithuanian seven-footer Donatas Motiejunas is looking more and more ready for next season.

In the Summer League thus far, the man known as D-Mo is averaging 16.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.  Regarding his shot selection, he is shooting an incredible 62 percent from the field.

That said, should he build a good on-court relationship with incoming point man Jeremy Lin, Houston's prospects are looking decent for next season.

No. 1: Enes Kanter

Kanter was taken third overall by the Utah Jazz in 2011, but he didn't get many chances to play due to the presence of both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap.  The Turkish big man only got 13.2 minutes per game, averaging just 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Yet, Millsap will be a free agent after the season; and given how he'll probably cost a pretty penny, I'm expecting that Kanter will get more minutes.  Given how he's playing in the Summer League this year, he certainly makes a case for more playing time.

In five games, the 6'11" Kanter is averaging a respectable 10.4 points and 8.8 rebounds.  If he can start with that on the NBA level, the sky is the limit for him.  Should he keep it up, it's going to be hard for coach Tyrone Corbin to keep him on the bench once the regular season starts.