The Olympics begin in a little over two weeks. One of the main attractions of the Summer Games is basketball. As is always the case, the Americans are odds on favorites to take home the gold. You know that roster frontwards and backwards. However, you may not know some of the players primed to use the Rio de Janeiro Olympics as a coming out party. Here are six players you may not know that you should keep an eye on from August 6th-21st.
ALEX ABRINES, SMALL FORWARD (SPAIN)
As stated before, the United States are overwhelming favorites to win gold in Rio. Who is second favorite? That would be Spain. The Spanish have their usual suspects in tow heading into the tournament. The Gasol brothers, Jose Calderon, Ricky Rubio, and the ageless Juan Carlos Navarro are all participating. There is also some new blood coming through the ranks though. Alex Abrines is the most intriguing player of that lot. Drafted by the Thunder in 2013, Abrines signed to come over for the 2016-17 NBA season. Fans will get a good look at the lanky wing man this summer. Abrines was named the best player under 22 at the 2015-16 Euroleague.
JOFFREY LAUVERGNE, POWER FORWARD (FRANCE)
The last 15 years has been a renaissance for French basketball. Like their footballing counterparts, France is producing some of the best young talent across the globe at the moment. While the perimeter is still manned by the old guard, France’s interior presence will be highly influenced by that crop of youngsters. The Stifle Tower Rudy Gobert is the more recognizable name of the contingent, but Joffrey Lauvergne could open the most eyes in Rio. The 24 year old had a vastly improved sophomore season in Denver, averaging nearly 8 points and 5 rebounds a game. He should surpass those averages in Brazil. With Denver being a team in transition, a big showing at the Olympics could mean an even bigger spotlight on the most famous non-Lannister Joffrey this season.
NICOLAS BRUSSINO, SHOOTING GUARD (ARGENTINA)
Argentina suffered heartbreak at the Copa America Centenario in football, but El Alma Argentina hopes to soften the blow in Rio. Their roster features many a familiar face, but this could be their last rodeo. The Rio Olympics could be the final major tournament for both Carlos Delfino and Manu Ginobili. Nicolas Brussino should be the man to replace them going forward. The 23 year old former Peñarol player is coming off his best season as a professional (14.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG) and just signed with the Dallas Mavericks. Brussino is a similar player to his predecessors, but is more adept at getting to the rim. He may be a bench guy in Rio, but he is the future for Argentina on the wing. Keep your eyes peeled for the #9 in sky blue.
DOMANTAS SABONIS, POWER FORWARD (LITHUANIA)
Few countries respect their basketball past while looking towards the future better than Lithuania. While they boast one of the older teams in Rio, the Lithuanians have plenty of talent in the pipeline. That goes double for post players, including the son of Lithuania basketball legend Arvydas Sabonis, Domantas Sabonis. The 20 year old former Gonzaga Bulldog was the eleventh overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was a second team Academic All-American and first team All-WCC in 2016 after averaging a double-double (17.9 PPG, 11.8 RPG) for the Zags. He will be the first man off the bench for Lithuania, and his versatility on display should excite both fans in attendance, and Thunder fans watching on TV.
BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC, SHOOTING GUARD (SERBIA)
The greater of two Bogdanovics is ready to make a name for himself in Brazil. Bogdan is not related to Brooklyn’s Bojan Bogdanovic who will play for Croatia in the tournament. However, he did replace the older Bogdanovic at Fenerbahçe in Turkey and won the Super League in his second season with the club. Teams are clamoring for the alliterative shooting guard to come to the US with his sweet stroke from the outside. But Bogdanovic isn’t just a jump shooter. “The White Mamba” is a polished offensive force, inside and out. He won the Euroleague Rising Star (Best player under 22) award in both 2014 and 2015 and was the Turkish Cup MVP in 2016. He’ll get the opportunity to prove his mettle against the Americans in Group A on Friday, August 12th.
DARIO SARIC, POWER FORWARD (CROATIA)
Like both Abrines and Brussino, basketball fans will be seeing Dario Saric in the NBA for the first time in 2016-17. But first, he and his Croatian teammates will have to navigate a very tight Group B in the Olympics. Saric has been heavily hyped in recent years, especially as the league gravitates more towards being an outside game. The 6’10” forward has been compared to everyone from Dirk Nowitzki to Toni Kukoc to recent Knicks draftee Kristaps Porzingis. Saric has won gold on the youth level and championships at every stop professionally. For all their talent, Croatia can have trouble getting going sometimes in big games. They will need Saric to surpass the hype, which he just may, if they are to make waves in Rio.
Are there any other players you think will break out at the Summer Olympics? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @TREVORutley or the site @sportsftb. Enjoy the basketball in Brazil!