Ex-Yugoslavian players in the NBA, preseason Power Rankings 17/18 (part 1)

Current NBA rosters include 18 Ex-Yu players and since this list includes Mirotic (Montenegro/Spain), total number of players comes to 19. Here is a Power ranking and quick guide before the start of 17/18 NBA season. Stats are from the 16/17 season. 

1) Goran Dragić (PG, Miami) - 9 years.  20.3 PPG, 5.8 APG

This summer Slovenia won Eurobasket and Goran Dragic took the MVP award. Numbers from the last season support the case that Dragic is the clear #1.

2) Nikola Jokić (C, Denver) - 2 years. 16.7 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.9 APG

Young center took #16 on ESPN and #25 on SI  list of the best NBA players! He is targeting #1 on this list.

3) Nikola Vučević (C, Orlando) - 6 years. 14.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG

Away from highlights Montenegrin is delivering double-double digits.

4) Bojan Bogdanović (SF, Indiana) - 3 years. 13.7 PPG

Good games for Nets and Wizzards last season earned him good contract with the Pacers. Can he move up the list or is this his prime ?

5) Dario Šarić (PF, Philadelphia) - 1 year. 12.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG

He should have been honored as ROY last season, so he will have plenty to prove. 

6) Jusuf Nurkić (C, Portland) - 3 years. 10.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG

He had to make room for Jokić in Denver, but immediately had impact with the Blazers. 

7) Miloš Teodosić (PG, LA Clippers) -  Rookie

Teo is not young anymore. His numbers probably won't be impressive, but the highlights are guranteed. 

8) Nikola Mirotić (PF, Chicago) - 3 years. 10.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG

He has numbers to be in top 10, but can he improve anymore?

9) Bogdan Bogdanović (SG, Sacramento) - Rookie

Earned this spot with his Euroleague and Eurobasket perfomances. Will he move up or down on this list?

10) Ante Žižić (C, Cleveland) - Rookie

Personally find him to be better prospect than countrymen Bender or Zubac. From ABA to Euroleague to Lebron's team in one season. This kid could raise some eyebrows !

11) Ivica Zubac (C, LA Lakers) - 1 year. 7.5 PPG

He had minutes last seson in poor Lakers, but B.Lopez and Bogut are now there.

12) Mirza Teletović (PF, Milwaukee) - 5 years. 6.4 PPG

Veteran doing his threes.

13) Nemanja Bjelica (PF, Minnesota) - 2 years. 6.2 PPG

Disappointing numbers in first couple of seasons. And he is not too young anymore. 

14) Beno Udrih (PG, Detroit) - 13 years. 5.8 PPG

Not bad for a 35 year old veteran. 

15) Boban Marjanović (C, Detroit) - 2 years. 5.5 PPG

This seson will show if Pistons really count on the giant.

16) Mario Hezonja (SG, Orlando) - 2 years. 4.9 PPG

Better known as funny character in Game of Zones. He is still young, but this seson is probably crucial for his NBA career.

17) Dragan Bender (PF, Phoenix) - 3.4 PPG

Injury prevented him from more playing time last season (when he was the youngest player in the league).

18) Rade Zagorac (SF, Memphis) - Rookie

He is coming from a team Mega Basket (Jokic, Zubac, Luwawu-Cabarrot) which is very interesting background for the NBA Rookie.

19) Damjan Rudež (SF, Orlando) - 3 years. 1.8 PPG 

Vetaran is likely to keep the last spot.

*Photos from ESPN