Goga Bitadze
20-year-old, Goga Bitadze stands as the biggest wild card in the Pacers deck this upcoming season. The 18th overall pick of the 2019 draft comes from Europe and holds a vast amount of promise, averaging 28.5 PPG (points per game) and 11.2 RPG (rebounds per game) in the Adriatic League.
While shooting 67% from the field in the Adriatic League, Bitadze also found himself the recipient of the League’s MVP award and now will come in following in the shadow of bigs Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis.
Standing at 6’11 and 250 pounds, Bitadze can use his size in the post to finish around the rim while also showing he can be a threat from outside the arc, shooting 40% from the three-point line.
Defensively, he has made his biggest impact in the paint as a rim protector in the Euroleague and as an avid rebounder.
Regardless of where and how Bitadze may find minutes in a congested line up of Turner and Sabonis, it is clear that in a probable backup role this season he will provide fans with something to look forward while also addressing a rebounding need for the Pacers.