7 International Basketball Players Poised to Impress in the Olympics

As national basketball teams begin arriving to London in preparation of the opening ceremonies, the overwhelming focus seems to be on whether Team USA will bring back Olympic gold.

Well across the pond there are plenty of players who could throw a monkey wrench into the red, white and blue's plans.

Some of these players' American fans will get their first look at them before they debut in the NBA. Others may never get there. But all of these guys are poised to make a huge impact on their team's quest for Olympic glory.

With that said, let's take a look at seven international players who are sure to impress in London.

Ike Diogu

Country: Nigeria (Note: Diogu was born in Buffalo, NY. His parents are of Nigerian descent.)

Position: Power Forward

After years of languishing toward the bottom of the FIBA rankings, Nigeria currently ranks No. 21 in the world and players like Diogu are a big part of the reason.

The 6'9" power forward is the team's best scorer and dropped 25 points on the Dominican Republic to help lead Nigeria to reach their first Olympics in London. 

On the international scene, Diogu can be a menace to opposing defenses by using his massive lower body to create space and outmaneuver overwhelmed defenders.

If the Nigerian squad makes a Cinderella run through a stacked Group A, the former first-round NBA draft choice would be the biggest reason why. And, who knows, if he plays well enough the Olympics could lead him to a triumphant NBA return.

Alexey Shved

Country: Russia

Position: SG

American crowds will get their first extended look at Shved in the Olympics. The sweet-shooting combo guard signed a three-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason and should help fill the team's gap at shooting guard with Brandon Roy.

Shved's biggest contribution for Russia should be his brilliant outside shot. The 6'5" guard drained 49.3 percent of his three-bombs in Euroleague this past season.

Shved also excelled during the Russian squad's qualifying run, scoring 22 points and doling out six assists in the team's berth-clincher against Nigeria. 

If he can continue the recent uptick in play, Russia should have no problem getting through Group B and could even have an outside shot at winning a medal.

Sergio Llull

Country: Spain

Position: SG

Llull will come off the bench for the Spanish national squad, but that is mainly because team captain Juan Carlos Navarro has a permanent stranglehold on the shooting guard spot. 

The sixth man distinction certainly isn't a degradation of his talent.

Llull came away from Spain's exhibition run as the team's second-leading scorer behind forward Pau Gasol, proving again how abundantly talented the guard is.

The 24-year-old is seemingly built for the NBA. He thrives on quick first step and is easily Spain's most athletic player. He was also named the 2012 Spanish King's Cup MVP, which is a mid-season tournament in Spain's top professional league.

As the Americans look to hold off world No. 2 Spain in a hypothetical medal round matchup, Team USA's first priority may be stopping Llull.

Vitaly Fridzon

Country: Russia

Position: SG

There may be no better stand-and-pop shooter in the Olympics than Fridzon, who shot a marvelous 78.6 percent from three in Russia's Olympic qualifiers.

The 6'5" gunner will likely sit behind Shved, depending on what lineup head coach David Blatt decides to go with. Regardless, his minutes should be invaluable as Russia tries to outperform its No. 11 FIBA ranking.

If they do and Fridzon continues his red-hot shooting, he could have an NBA future as a guy who comes in and makes it rain from three off the bench.

Victor Claver

Country: Spain

Position: SF/PF

Claver is another player who will finally make his NBA debut next season, three years after the Portland Trail Blazers took him No. 22 overall.

The 23-year-old small forward continues to be relatively raw offensively, but is such an amazing athlete that one play from Claver could swing momentum Spain's way at any moment. Another key for Claver is that he may be Spain's best lockdown defender.

In a hypothetical matchup against the United States, the Spanish squad could have Claver come in and attempt to stop LeBron James or Kevin Durant. While that's easier said than done, the future Blazer is probably Spain's best shot. 

Nando de Colo

Country: France

Position: SG

After signing a two-year deal this offseason, de Colo gives France the opportunity to throw three members of the 2012-13 San Antonio Spurs at teams.

With point guard Tony Parker and forward Boris Diaw in the fold, it's a safe assumption that de Colo has gotten special attention throughout the French tune-ups, and that should do nothing but help his game. 

De Colo is also a brilliant passer with range out to the three-point line, so he could even sub for Parker at the point if needed. The only real chink in de Colo's armor is that he's not a great defender, so the French help defense will need to be alert any time he's on the floor.

Jonas Valanciunas

Country: Lithuania

Position: C

The final guy on our list is by far the best. 

Valanciunas, the Raptors' No. 4 pick in 2011, will come over to Toronto next season and is an instant favorite for rookie of the year. His combination of athleticism and brilliant defensive presence puts Valanciunas in place to make an immediate contribution to a mediocre Raptors defense.

For Lithuania, the seven-foot beast presents a matchup problem for almost every team in London. Almost no other Olympian posses his combination of skills and his 63.4 percent shooting in the Eurocup in April is an indication of a vastly improved offensive game.

The Lithuanians come into London as one of the favorites, but their fate will likely be determined by how well teams lock down their 20-year-old star.