A challenge: Guess who the Spurs select with the 59th pick

[batmana]

Guys, it is safe to say we are less excited about the upcoming draft than the Hornets, Wizards or Warriors. Still, we own the 59th pick of the draft. While it is highly unlikely that an NBA-caliber player can be found this deep, I want to remind you that we got Ginobili in a similar spot (a pick from the last).

I personally don't expect us to select a college prospect with this pick as it is almost equally likely any player we like would be gone by then. But which international player do we select? This is about as difficult to guess as guessing the top 10 picks in their correct order.

So the challenge is this - make a guess (one player only) - who do we select with the (almost irrelevant) 59th pick. I am not yet ready to make my guess but I will take the time over the next few days to check on the prospects and will take my best shot in the dark.

Just an overview of who the last 59th picks have been:
2011 Adam Hanga (Spurs)
2010 Stanley Robinson (Orlando)
2009 Chinemelu Elonu (LA Lakers)
2008 Deron Washington (Detroit)
2007 D.J. Strawberry (Phoenix)

If I'm not mistaken, Strawberry is the only player to have played in an NBA game. Interestingly, more 60th picks have made NBA rosters in the last 5 years (including Isaiah Thomas becoming a starter in his rookie season for Sacto).

I hope you like the challenge. Let's make the second round interesting and wait anxiously for the 59th pick! GO SPURS GO!

[co_laper]

To be honest, it didn't help. I wouldn't know who'd be available this late and honestly isn't expecting the player we draft to even make the roster. I'm hoping we draft someone international that we can just stack overseas. If he never pans out, who'd care?

BTW, don't we have a first round pick?

[LyMinh]

No, we traded our 1st rounder away to get rid of Jefferson (and acquire SJax).

To the OP, hopefully someone from Vanderbilt!

[batmana]

We may draft someone from Vanderbilt but I feel there is a better chance of us drafting a European prospect and playing the waiting game like we've done most often with 2nd round picks.

I went through the early entrants among the international players but I feel that if there are really good players among them, they'll be gone until it's our turn. So instead, my bold prediction is an international player who is automatically eligible (being 22 years old). I found such a player on EuroLeague champions Olympiakos - combo guard Kostas Sloukas. He appears to have a lot of experience for his age, playing on a European powerhouse, plus he is already playing for the Greek national team which is also quite an achievement for a young player.

My pick: Kostas Sloukas (Greece)

What are the chances that I actually get it right? I don't know, objectivelly probably less than 10%. I guess we'll see on the 28th.

[walkways]

Check this guy: ILKAN KARAMAN from Turkey. a very strong PF with a great work habit. He can shoot threes and a great!! rebounder. He is alittle bit short for his position but he has good muscles. He is under the radar so would be a great investment at 59

[Nolan]

Its more than likely going to a foreign player that we stash away and hope that he can develop into something.

[Frankie23]

How does it work for international players? They have to declare for the draft or you can just pick them when you want?

[batmana]

How does it work for international players? They have to declare for the draft or you can just pick them when you want?

Simply put, they are allowed to declare early if they are 19 years old (or more) in the year of the draft. When they become 22, teams are allowed to draft them without the players declaring.