Spain Olympic Basketball 2012: Breaking Down Spain's Best Non-NBA Talent

Everybody and their mother has declared Spain to be the biggest threat to America's second-consecutive Olympic gold medal, pointing to Spain's troop of NBA players as evidence to support their argument.

Seven on the 12 players on the Spanish roster have suited up in the NBA, including the entire starting five––and that's without injured Timberwolves phenom Ricky Rubio.

But beyond the Gasol's and Ibaka's on Spain's roster, there is a cadre of talented players who have never played an NBA game. Some of them never will, while others could be there as soon as next year, but either way they're unknown commodities heading into the London Games.

They might not be household names, but they could provide Spain with the valuable depth they need to upset the Americans.

Here's a quick introduction to four Spanish players who could play pivotal roles in London, even though you've never heard of them:

SF/PF Victor Claver:

Despite being drafted by Portland in the first round of the 2009 Draft, Claver has suited up for Valencia since 2006.

But Americans better get used to seeing the 23 year-old forward, because he's coming to the big show next season.

Claver is a 6'10'' combo forward, best suited to a role player position in the NBA. Think Rashard Lewis (in his prime) without the bull-headed need to shoot.

Claver's size and athleticism off the bench could come in handy against the Americans.

PG/SG Sergio Llull:

Taken 12 picks after Claver in the 2009 Draft (34th overall, to Denver), Llull immediately had his rights purchased by the Rockets for $2.25 million––breaking a record for the most money ever spent to buy a second round NBA draft pick's rights.

There's a reason for that.

Llull is a classic pass-first European guard, excelling in the pick-and-roll with his crafty moves and superb court vision. He's got a little pep to his step, too; he's confident without being cocky, and won't be intimidated by the big, bad USA.

He got off to a nice start this summer, scoring 15 points in Spain's dominant exhibition victory over France. He'll be expected to play a less-electric version of Ricky Rubio's role from 2008.

PF Felipe Reyes / SF Fernando San Emeterio:

Reyes helps round out a very impressive Spanish front court, while San Emeterio gives them some much-needed depth on the wing. Neither has been drafted by an NBA team like Claver and Llull, but their resumes in the Spanish ACB League speak for themselves.

Both men have been named MVP of the ACB League––a distinction that gives them some pretty elite company. Check out the winners from 2003-11:

Year	Name
2003	Walter Herrmann
2004	Andres Nocioni
2005	Luis Scola
2006	Juan Carlos Navarro
2007	Luis Scola
2008	Marc Gasol
2009	Felipe Reyes
2010	Tiago Splitter
2011	Fernando San Emeterio

If those names sound familiar, it's because they are––every single one of them, save Reyes and San Emeterio, has played or currently plays in the NBA.