EUROLEAGUE

Milos Teodosic – The Best Non NBA Player In The World

The United States may have taken home gold at the Olympic Games, but they had by no the tournaments best player. That mantle well and truly belonged to Serbian superstar point guard Milos Teodosic. After catching the eye and dazzling in Rio, Teodosic became a name NBA fans and GMs were very familiar with. It’s rare that a player outside the US catches attention, but Milos stole all the headlines in his outstanding Olympic games.

After the recent annual survey conducted by the NBA for GMs, Milos Teodosic was voted the ‘best international player not in the NBA’. Obviously a huge honor and achievement, Milos took to twitter to show his gratitude;

It's a great honor for me, thank you! #GMSurvey #NBA

— Milos Teodosic (@MilosTeodosic4) October 18, 2016

The 29 year old Serb didn’t just edge the voting, he received 56.3% of the total votes. In fact, against that very same US team that took home gold, the 29 year old had 18 points on nine shots and added six assists in the near upset in the group stage. Despite the group loss, he continued to carry Serbia, and they collected silver after falling in the final contest.

Needless to say, the world got to see what the euro league has become accustomed to having year in, year out. A magician with the basketball. This wasn’t the first time he’s shone on the international stage however. He also led Serbia to gold medals at FIBA Europe Under 16, Under 18 and Under 20 levels in 2003, 2005 and 2007 respectively. He also added tournament MVPs alongside the national team success.

Currently, Milos plays for CSKA Moscow where he led them to the EuroLeague title this past season averaging 21.6 points per game, 7.6 assists per game and 3.6 rebounds per game in 31 minutes. He’s also played for Greek heavyweights Olympiakos for four seasons.

If he’s so good, why isn’t he in the NBA you ask?
Well, in 2013 the Memphis Grizzlies offered him a three year, $5 million dollar deal after he torched the Minnesota Timberwolves for 26 points, nine assists and five rebounds in a 108-106 victory, but he turned then down and decided to up his deal at CSKA for an estimated $7 million over three years. He did this in June of 2014, and due to this contract, he was unable to grace the NBA until 2017. Fast forward three years, and that time is rapidly approaching. Milos is still playing outstanding basketball and he feels the time will be right to play in the NBA;

“In the past I felt that playing in the NBA was not something really close to me. Now, I think about it. I want to travel to the States, play in the NBA and compete against the best players in the world. Maybe now I am more ready mentally and also on the court. I know what I can do it, I believe in myself and I have no doubts or second thoughts.”

The NBA will no doubt benefit from his high basketball IQ and ability to make others better. He may struggle athletically like all European guards, but he can excel in areas that made him hot property around Europe for many years. Remember this name, he’ll be on US shores soon enough.