The Euro Stash: Jonah Bolden & Mathias Lessort are working at the Highlight Factory

Jonah Bolden-

Drafted 2^nd Round 36^th Overall 2017 PF/C

Plays for Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv (Euroleague/Israeli Premier League)

Christmas is right around the corner and my Jonah Bolden Sixers jersey should be packed up in Santa’s sleigh right now.

With everyone’s favorite person, Bryan Colangelo, in attendance, Jonah went off for 23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Jonah truly did it all in front of the Sixers’ General Manager; he was scoring from low post, he was hitting shots in the mid-range, he was doing his usual thing and attacking the glass and getting put backs, and he was doing the one thing we needed to desperately work on before coming to the NBA… he was hitting 3s.

In this game, Jonah was 3-7 from distance and on the season, he is shooting 36% from beyond the arc this season, and he’s attempting just under three long distance shots per game. If he can continue to expand his range, he is going to have the ability to become a modern stretch 4 in the NBA.

And with the slightly unbearable Sixers backup front court on full display in the absence of Joel Embiid, just imagine, next year the Sixers can unleash another 6’10 Aussie to hopefully bring some excitement and consistent play to the rotation.

Mathias Lessort-

Drafted 2^nd Round 50^th Overall 2017 PF/C

Plays for Crvena Zvezda (Euroleague/Adriatic League)

Mathias is continuing his solid play for Crvena Zvezda as he is averaging 9 points, 6 rebounds, and a block on his season campaign.

In his latest game against Athens, he did this…

Sooooo it’s looking like Mathias has been working on some post moves, and although he isn’t expanding his shooting range, yet he has improved his free throw form and percentage. He is now shooting 68% from the line, which is a great increase from his 59% showing from the line last season.

While is isn’t a willing shooter, his form isn’t broken; one thing about him is that he has huge hands, which doesn’t give him any help on his shooting touch; however he has good rotation on his shot, and he doesn’t palm the ball when he shoots, something that big handed players tend to do.

Anzejs Pasecniks-

Drafted First Round 25^th Overall 2017 (acquired from Magic via trade) Center

Plays for Herbalife Gran Canaria (EuroCup/Liga ACB)

Well, Anzejs hasn’t magically transformed in to Kristaps yet. He is averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds per game for Herbalife Gran Canaria. It’s appearing that as of now, all that glitters is not gold for Latvian big men. He still seems a little lost on offense and doesn’t have the physical capability or strength to defend yet.

Vasilije Micic-

Drafted 2^nd Round 52^nd Overall

Plays for Žalgiris (Euroleague/Lithuanian Basketball League)

Vasilije is averaging 7 points, 5 assists, and a steal this year for Zalgirirs Kaunus while shooting 41% from the field; and for those keeping track at home, Jerryd Bayless is averaging 9 points and 2 assists on the season while shooting 40% from the field.

I know you’re thinking it, so I’ll say it… it’s finally time for Vasilije Micic to come over.

No, just kidding, he’s not an NBA player. He’s also shooting 26% from 3 this year.

The Forever Sixers:

Hollis Thompson- has dipped back below 30% shooting from three point land but, in his latest game he recorded 6 rebounds (his career high was 10 rebounds against the Hornets on March 29^th of 2016. Hollis and the rest of Olympiacos Pireaus sit atop the rankings of the Euroleague with a record of 11-3. Olympiacos is tied with Sergio Rodriguez and CSKA Moscow.

A smooth transition here in to CSKA’s point guard and everyone’s favorite bearded man, Sergio Rodriguez. Sergio is averaging 13 points a game while shooting 45% from 3. Yes, FORTY-FIVE PERCENT. Sergio has been a big piece of Moscow’s success so far this season.

Pierre Jackson- Pierre has been balling out alongside Jonah Bolden on the Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv club. He’s basically the Isaiah Thomas of the Euroleague as he has been putting up solid numbers all season (14/4/3).

Chukwudiebere Maduabum-is averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks for the Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots in Japan’s B2 League. Chu Chu is fresh off a 12 point and 13 rebound game and the 55% free throw shooter managed to sink all four of his free throws.

Arturas Gudaitis- has a true shooting percentage of 67.9%, which happens to be leading the Euroleague so far this season.

Luka Mitrovic- is rolling out of bed and getting 5 and 4 for Brose Bamberg as they sit just above Mathias Lessort and the Crvena Zvezda squad in the standings, in 11^th place.