By the time the Tokyo Olympics got underway, there were 49 NBA players.
There are already 50.
San Antonio signed a two-year contract with Australian center Jock Landale on Wednesday, a day before Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, helmsman of the United States national team, against Landale and the Australians in the semi-finals of the tournament.
“One of the most professional players in the sport kept getting better until it became inevitable,” wrote Landale’s agent, Sammy Wloszczowski of the SIG Sports agency, on Twitter.
Landale’s landing with the Spurs adds another element of intrigue to the United States-Australia semifinal. The main one will be this: Patty Mills, who was the current Spurs player with the longest service under Popovich before signing this week with the Brooklyn Nets, is the Australians’ starting point guard. Mills’ decision, first released by ESPN, was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person with knowledge of the deal.
“He’s someone who has had a huge impact on me for a long time,” Mills said, not referring to the Nets signing, trying to focus on Australia’s Olympic pretensions.
Landale was no stranger to NBA teams prior to Tokyo.
He has participated in the summer league and had previously tried to break into the NBA, but his performance in Tokyo 2020 has made it clear that his game will fit in the United States. He makes 55% of his field goals, the sixth best figure of the tournament, in addition to billing half of his 3-point attempts and is tied for the top free throw percentage, with 11 of 12 hits.
“There are so many quality players, it all started in 1992 with the Dream Team,” said US team sporting director Jerry Colangelo. they began to dream of reaching the NBA ”.
Of the four teams and 48 players still in competition in the Tokyo men’s draw, 32 of them have or have had ties to the NBA. There are 12 from the United States, eight from Australia, eight from France and four from Slovenia.
“It is a demonstration of the globalization of our sport,” American center Bam Adebayo said.
And Landale would not be the only player to whom the doors of the NBA open after his Olympic participation.
These are some that could very soon land in the NBA.
SIMONE FONTECCHIO, ITALY
The 25-year-old forward has averaged 19.3 points in four games during the Olympic tournament, leading Italy to the quarterfinals. He has flirted with jumping to the NBA previously, auditioning with Boston before being drafted in 2015. He has not ruled out leaving Europe.
“It’s just a matter of getting the opportunity to show your potential,” Fontecchio said.
MIKE TOBEY, ESLOVENIA
Central Slovenian was born in New York, attended high school in New Jersey, and then went on to college in Virginia. He had a sip from two NBA games with Charlotte in 2017. Tobey is the top rebounder of these Games, at 12.5 per game, as well as coming in tune with Luka Doncic to help Slovenia remain undefeated this summer.
“I really enjoy playing in Europe,” Tobey said. “I’m in a great team in Spain, in Valencia. I love it. It’s like my second home. If the NBA knocks on the door, I absolutely won’t rule it out, but right now I like my home”.
NICK KAY, AUSTRALIA
Another tower that has stood out in Australia. Kay is 71% effective on shots from two. He turned 29 on Tuesday.
ANDREAS OBST, ALEMANIA
In the era of NBA 3s, Obst would be a perfect fit. He has taken 45 3-pointers in Germany’s four games in the tournament. Only Damian Lillard (USA) and Mills surpass him in that line.
ONDREJ BALVIN, CZECH REPUBLIC
He has two virtues that are not taught: height and good touch. He hit 69% of the field in these Games and showed authority within the painted area. The question about the 28-year-old is his rank. But Bavin would be an excellent answer for a team looking for a presence under the basket that had a summer league experience seven years ago.
