Toronto Raptors: 3 European prospects to take in NBA Draft second round
By Mike Luciano
1. Filip Petrusev, C, Mega Soccerbet (Serbia)
The last time we saw Petrusev, he traded in his role as the starting center for a very talented Mark Few-led Gonzaga team to go pro in Serbia. While the Raptors are likely zeroing in on one former Bulldog in Jalen Suggs, they shouldn’t overlook Petrusev, who put up numbers that simply boggle the mind.
Petrusev was named ABA League MVP, as he averaged 23.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, all while making 58% of his shots and 42% of his 3-point attempts. His finishing ability around the basket is up there with any center in this class, and his ability to stroke it from deep makes him perfect for what the Raptors want to do on offense.
Filip Petrusev is a tremendous offensive center.
Petrusev isn’t the best interior defender or shot-blocker, which could limit his value. In an age where centers are getting more mobile every tear, Petrusev doesn’t have all-world athletic ability, and that could turn some teams away from him. Anyone doing so would be making an egregious error.
Petrusev had some flaws in Spokane, but he appears to have fixed them in a very competitive professional environment. The Raptors need a true center more than anything else next year, and there is a chance that Petrusev hits the ground running in the pros and becomes a force in the paint.
