International players rarely live up to the hype so don't knock DA for passing. Every time I see us projected to draft Hezonja or Przingis I cringe.
I agree their have been alot of super hyped Euro busts in the past. Most of these guys where teenagers who where not producing in major Euro leagues but had alot of hype around their potential. IE Darko, Tskitishvili. Darko was playing in the Serbian league prior to being drafted and averaging 9pt 6rb, Tskitishvili played 17 games in italian league for 12mpg averaging 6pt 1rb the season before being drafted #5.
Prozingis and Hezonja do not fit this typical over hyped bust profile. Both play in the ACB the second best league in the world and are productive as teenagers. If in the NCAA they would be absolute stars.
Prozingis, 20 games 22mpg 10pts 5rb 1blk
Hezonja, 20 games 15mpg 5pts 2rb (getting more time and putting up big numbers lately)
TP. Porzingis and Hezonja would be top 5 picks if they played in the NCAA. Greece's 2nd division is a weak league, and the Italian Legga has never been the same since the 80s, but the ACB is another animal.
Hezonja has the physical tools and a great jumpshot, but I'm not sold on his defense. Kid deserves some credit, though, he's playing with Barcelona who is a perennial Euroleague contender and he's taking advantage of his opportunities playing at SG while Navarro and Oleson are out with injuries. At 6'8, he's huge for a SG in Europe... and in the NBA.
Porzingis reminds me of young Pau Gasol, but skinnier. Outside the top 3-4, if he's available you should pick him up. He's been playing against the best in the ACB on an ultra young team like Sevilla. He and Willy Hernangomez are sensational young bigs, but that team is a mess, and sometimes they look fantastic but most of the time they're losing and not looking good.
Both Hezonja and Porzingis are better offensive players than Giannis, and they'll be picked at higher spots. And I'd love the Cs to use one of the late 2nd round picks to draft and stash Willy Hernangomez, just in case he develops into a great player when he goes back to Real Madrid. I think in 3 years he'll be the best C in Europe, in an old-school fashion, but I'm a fan of the kid
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Guillermo-Hernangomez-7204/