MVP
Well-Known Member
Ricky Rubio. He did very well at that age against US players. He was older when he made his NBA debut but didn't help his team win. It took a few years for that.
Dirk outplayed Charles Barkley when he was 17 but then struggled as a rookie.
Tony Parker similar to above.
Darko Milicic was awesome for his national team at 17 and was a bust in the nba. He went toe to toe with current all star Pau Gasol.
The list could go on. Mostly I listed guys that had success later in the NBA but didn't help their teams win as a rookie, but there are also plenty of Darkos and worse.
Ron, your list is great but none of these players had anywhere close to a consistent stats Doncic posted as teenager playing vs grown up men in Euroleague and Eurobasket... The only player who somewhat compares to 18 year old Doncic's stats in Eurobasket was Sabonis at 19. The game you talking about Darko vs Gasol was when he was 21. Gasol first time played for Spain national team when he was 21 as well. If we just look at stats produced by 18 year olds in international basketball Doncic is pretty much the greatest ever. Can he still bust? For sure. But he as well has a chance to be the best ever player to come out of Europe.
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