8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

8P9S NBA Mock Draft 1.0: With the 26th pick, the Indiana Pacers select…

By Ben Gibson

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 94-78. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 94-78. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 30
Next
Goga Bitadze of Buducnost
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 01: Alec Peters (L) of CSKA Moscow vies with Goga Bitadze (C) of Buducnost during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague match between CSKA Moscow and Buducnost at the Megasport Arena in Moscow, Russia on February 01, 2019.(Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

No. 19 — San Antonio Spurs: Goga Bitadze, C

Team: KK Buducnost | Height: 6’11” | Weight: 245 | Age: 19

The Spurs have a history of drafting excellent Euro players and the Spurs have a history of drafting very well. Georgian center Goga Bitadze could be the next in line of San Antonio Euro draft steals. The Spurs could afford to take a chance on a big with some upside, as Pau Gasol is gone and Jakob Poeltl is what he is.

BItadze’s movement is much improved and he is no longer a liability covering the pick and roll. He shoots an easy ball and has flashed shooting ability, along with some serious flashes of skill: putting the ball on the floor and making good passes.

More obviously, he is a 19-year-old putting up impressive numbers in the Euroleague, a feat most European teenagers do not achieve. Drafting a coordinated big with real offensive upside in the late teens is a fantastic grab for San Antonio here and Bitadze would have no better coach to help him ascend to his potential outcome. — Ben Pfeifer

Home/Pacers Draft