A look at some intriguing Olympic basketball players and their potential future in the NBA, with help from a front office executive:
Joe Ingles (Australia) » The executive considers him a spot-up shooter with NBA range, but the 6-foot-8 forward/guard is very thin.
Sun Yue (China) » He’ll be in camp with the Los Angeles Lakers, having been selected 40th overall in June, but the 6-foot-9 guard will have to learn the triangle offense. His basketball IQ is considered solid, which should help.
Ricky Rubio (Spain) » “There’s no mistaking he is special,” the executive said of the 17-year-old point guard. “I hope it’s not a case of too much too soon, but he can be a very fun player in the NBA.” However, Rubio first must get stronger as well as quicker and more agile. If he doesn’t, he’d struggle in the NBA.
Tim Ohlbrecht (Germany) » The 6-foot-11 power forward is Germany’s hope for the future, which looks dim beyond Dirk Nowitzki. North Carolina offered Ohlbrecht, 19, a scholarship in March, but he will play in Europe instead.
Hamed Ehadadi (Iran) » He’s 7-foot-2 and 254 pounds. But the executive wasn’t high on him at all, saying Memphis likely will sign him, but he would be “more of a political story than a contributor.”
Rudy Fernandez (Spain) » The 6-foot-6 shooting guard kept Spain in contention for a gold. But he has a history of always being seemingly nicked. That could lead to some struggles with Nate McMillan, who will coach him in Portland this season.
