Euro Basket 2015 Top Performers
1. Pau Gasol: Averaging 25.6 ppg, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, the Spanish team's captain led his team to victory in the Eurobasket for the 2nd time in 4 years. Gasol, who is currently 35 years of age shocked all viewers with some of his top overall performances in his international basketball history. Including a career high 40 points to go along with 12 rebounds against France. Though to his american supporters this didn't come as a surprise after Gasol averaged 18.5 ppg and a career high 11.8 rebounds in his 14th season in the most competitive league on the planet. The only question surrounding Pau Gasol now is whether he can use his experience and high basketball i.q to continue impoving.
2. Jan Vesely: A 25 year old Czech managed to lead his team to the elite 8 of the Eurobasket. Averaging 19.3 ppg and 9.1 rebounds Vesely took a very unexpected leadership role which was going to be between him and fellow Czech star Tomas Satoransky. He didn't only average insane numbers but also led his team to a Eurobasket elite 8 showing and finished 7th place in Europe, placing them in the last spot in the 2016 olympic qualifying tournaments. The high flyer who stands 7'0 tall (2.13) meters can only improve and the sky is the limit for this young man.
3. Dennis Schroder: A 22 year old 6'1 point guard who posses a 168 pound frame was the leader of a very tallented German team highlighted by arguably the best European player of all time Dirk Nowitzki and 7'2 center, and Utah Jazz rookie Tibor Pleiss. Averaging 21 ppg, 4.6 rpg to go along with 6 assists per game the Atlanta hawks point guards showed sparks of greatness in this years Eurobasket. Although lacking prior international competition, Schroder came into the competition as if he were a long time veteran, dismantling defenders and finding his place in a fast paced German offense. Schroder could easily become the next Chris paul or even a Steph curry type athlete if he continues to impove his game.
4. Ioannis Bourousis: The 7'1 32 year old Greek center came into the competition as one of the most polished big men in Europe's history, possesing a skill set including jump hooks, advanced pump fakes, patience and great footwork on the block. Often leading his team in scoring and rebounding in previous international competitions Bourousis didn't disappoint averaging 11.1 ppg and 5.5 rpg in just 19.4 miutes per game. He also displayed a 61.2 percent field goal percentage. Unfortunately the Greek big man will be retiring from international competition along with fellow teammates and Greek legends Vassilis Spanoulis and Nikos Zisis. His dominance will be missed by his Greek teammates but the next generation of Greek basketball awaits including the roster of this years U18 European championship team, with future stars such as 7'2 (2.18) meter George Papagiannis and 6'8 (2.03) meters Vassilis Charalampopoulos, and 20 year old "The Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokunpo a 6'11 (2.11) meter shooting guard to name a few.
5. Danilo Gallinari: A well renowned European and N.B.A star Danilo Gallinari made his mark on this years Eurobasket averaging 17.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 2.9 apg to lead his team to a 6th place finish. Dominating defenders behind the stripe shooting a respectable 40 percent. The 6'10 forward impressed coming back from an injury plagued season in the N.B.A playing in only 59 games and starting only 27. If Gallinari keeps away from injuries the 27 year old could leave a permanent mark on European basketball, as one of the Greatest ever to play.
Honorable Mention
1. Rudy Gobert (Fra) 10.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg
2. Vassilis Spanoulis (Gre) 11.4 ppg, 5.3 apg
3. Nado De Colo (Fra) 13.1 ppg, 4.6 apg
4. Marco Bellineli (Ita) 16.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.9 apg
5. Alessandro Gentile (Ita) 16.8 ppg, 4.8 4.8 rpg, 3.3 apg
