Euroleague Rookies

Now, that most rosters are completed, it is time to take a look on a few interesting players who will begin in October their Euroleague rookie season.

D.J. Seeley, Guard, Maccabi Tel Aviv

It might seem that the "silly DJ" is entering the Euroleague in a perfect timing. He is 26, which is the right age to move to big guys' league. He is coming after a nice season in Gran Canaria, where he had a good run in the Eurocup and the Copa del Rey. Nevertheless, Maccabi is overloaded in the guard positions: Goudelock is a better player; Ohayon and Mekel are the natural playmakers – at least in their opinion; Landsberg is already familiar with the club and the system; even Yivzory, a solid 3pt shooter, can bite up his share of minutes. And that is before mentioning the possibilty that Rochestie would stay eventually in Tel Aviv, or the option the play with Weems as a SG.

Key to success: 3&D. Maccabi is lacking consistent 3pt shooters, as well as defensive bulldogs.

Khem Birch, Forward/Center, Olympiakos

It has been written a lot about the positive direction Canadian basketball is going. The days of Vince Carter as the only ambassador of Canada in the NBA are long over. And also in Europe we are witnessing more and more North American players who are not US citizens. Birch, another product of the Canadian basketball system, can be one of the positive surprises of the Euroleague. He is a tremendous athlete, runs the floor well and blocks anything that dares to shoot the ball.

Key to success: If the team of Sfiaropoulos will run, he is going to enjoy life in Pireus. Another key is simply also to stay healthy. With such a long Euroleague season, it is likely that Young, who was out with injury most of last season, will miss games.

Shane Larkin, Guard, Laboral Kutxa Vitoria-Gasteiz

The basque club did it again. Vitoria is known for its good scouting over the years, but this summer they topped even their own standards. Besides Bargnani, they inked another NBA player – Larkin. For him it will be the first time playing outside the States. Sometimes experiments like that end up bad. Usually when the player comes to the old continent with the “I am here to teach the natives some basketball” attitude. This will probably not be the case with Larkin. He brings to the game wisdom and willingness to win, no matter where he is playing.

Key to success: The way it looks right now, Vitoria are giving the keys to Larkin. In case of good chemistry with his teammates, we are going to see some rock 'n' roll there. In return they will have to hide him on the other side of the court, otherwise the rival guards will also enjoy their games.

James Nunnaly, SF, Fenerbahce

The legend says, Obradovic doesn't like American players. That legend needs to be updated: during the last years, many of them played for the Serbian Basketball mastermind. Some of them even became his favorite players. So Nunally is just another guy who will have to learn his Serbian coach's high pick&roll system. He will back up the excellent Datome and compete with Kalinic on the SF position. If Nunnaly will be able to grab some rebounds, we will probably see him as a stretch four when Fener will play small ball, using Nunnally as a spot-up shooter.

Key to success: Do whatever coach Obradovic tells you to do.