5 International Players in the NBA Drafted Due to Their Potential

Here are five international players currently in the NBA that were drafted due to their potential of becoming consistent professional basketball players. Usually international players are drafted at a very young age by the NBA, even though they turn “pro” in their home countries at an even earlier age.

The following five players have a combined average of two-and-a-half years of NBA experience and are considered to be a work-in-progress. We might see some of these players in the NBA for a long time, while others may not last more than their rookie contract.

Let’s look at the lineup more in depth!

Point Guard: Goran Dragic

Dragic from Slovenia, was selected in the second-round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs who traded his rights to the Phoenix Suns. Dragic was coming of a summer where he played very well for the Slovenian National Team, and therefore the Suns wanted to bring him over right away to evaluate his skills.

Dragic spent one-and-a-half seasons in Phoenix learning from Steve Nash before being traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Aaron Brooks. Dragic, has only spent half a season in Houston, but was playing more consistent basketball towards the end of the season including recording a first-career triple-double against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Shooting Guard: Rudy Fernandez

Rudy Fernandez was selected in the first-round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns but his rights were traded along with James Jones to the Portland Trail Blazers for cash considerations. Fernandez was playing with a team in Europe while getting drafted, and therefore did not report right away. Known for his shooting ability, especially from the three-point area, Fernandez reported to the team just before the start of the 2008-09 NBA Season.

He averaged 10.4 points in 25.6 minutes played appearing in 78 games during his rookie season. Fernandez missed time due to undergoing back surgery but was able to eventually recover. The team picked up the option on his contract to keep the Spaniard with the team for the following season.

Before the start of the 2010-11 season, Fernandez and his agent spoke publicly about wanting to be traded from Portland. However, the team did not want to trade Fernandez away, and did not trade him until after the season was over.

On June 24, 2011 the Portland Trail Blazers traded Fernandez to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team trade that also involved the Denver Nuggets.

Small Forward: Omri Casspi

Omri Casspi from Israel, was selected in the first-round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. Casspi averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds while appearing in 77 games (including 31 starts) with the Kings. Casspi, set a few team records while with Sacramento, and during the 2010-11 season averaged 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 71 games played (including 27 starts). He saw his numbers go down due to receiving inconsistent playing time.

Casspi was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 30, 2011 along with a 2012 first-round draft pick in exchange for J.J. Hickson. It is yet unknown how Casspi will fair in Cleveland, as he may get the opportunity to be a starter.

Power Forward: Danilo Gallinari

Danilo Gallinari of Italy was selected with the sixth overall pick in the first-round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Gallinari, listed as a small forward, may have to ultimately switch over to the power forward spot or switch between the positions, as he gains experience. Gallinari played in only 28 games averaging 6.1 points per game during his rookie season as he had a back injury that forced him to miss 54 games.

Gallinari saw his playing time increase during the 2009-10 season when he averaged 15.1 points and played in 81 games (including 74 starts). He also saw playing time as a result of moving Al Harrington to the bench, and the trade that sent Quentin Richardson out of town.

During the first 48 games of the 2010-11 NBA season, Gallinari averaged a career-best 15.9 points per game and 34.8 minutes per game, but was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade also including the Minnesota Timberwolves that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York.

In Denver, Gallinari got an opportunity to make his first career playoff appearance, averaging 12 points in five games (as a starter) and is figured to be a key part of the team’s future.

Center: Marcin Gortat

Marcin Gortat was selected in the second-round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns who then traded his draft rights over to the Orlando Magic. Gortat came over to the NBA before the start of the 2007-08 season, but did not make his NBA debut until March 1, 2008. Rather Gortat received a lot of playing time behind Dwight Howard during the playoffs.

Gortat eager to play more minutes and be a starter signed an offer-sheet (five-years, $34M) with the Dallas Mavericks, but the Orlando Magic matched the offer and Gortat remained with the team in a backup role. Gortat averaged only 3.6 points in 221 games with Orlando, but it was his presence, shot-blocking, and rebounding that was important to the team.

Gortat was traded on December 18, 2010 to the Phoenix Suns along with Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, a 2011 first-round pick, and $3 million. Since coming to Phoenix and becoming their starting center, Gortat averaged 13.0 points and played 29.7 minutes per game in 55 games with the Suns. It is yet to be seen how Gortat performs in Phoenix for an entire season.