Nando De Colo

San Antonio­ - Nando de Colo: de Colo probably did not leave Europe's highest echelons in expectation of spending extended time in the D­League, but, after losing minutes to the superior Patrick Mills, he has had no choice. Assigned twice thus far this season, de Colo has totaled 92 points, 23 assists and 13 steals in his three games for the Toros, but has struggled at the higher levels. His ability to get to the basket is fine in the D­League, but he hasn't the speed to make it translate to the NBA, where defenses are infinitely more coordinated while he has not developed jump-shot range and has struggled defensively. At this point, de Colo is not projecting as an NBA player, and while he should be in the prime of his career, he is instead in a pronounced limbo. Unhappy with his situation, it would be no surprise if de Colo were to leave the NBA this summer.

Nando De Colo (53rd pick, 2009)

- De Colo was briefly mentioned in the recent Euroleague round-up:

[Omar] Cook's presence has moved De Colo into more of a combo guard role, and less of a pure point guard one. It's not working out optimally - De Colo needs the ball in his hands in order to be successful with his isolation scoring, which is harder to do with Cook around, and De Colo's impact without the ball is limited by his sub 30% three point shooting. Nevertheless, it's still an incredibly talented duo capable of carving up defense. And there are no such cohesion problems with Martinez, a highly capable all-around player, noted most for tough defense and outside shooting, but also able to make some plays, and get to the rim and finish, despite his relatively small size.

On the season, De Colo has averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in Euroleague play, alongside 10.8/2.3/2.3 in the ACB.

The chances of him playing in the NBA aren't great, mainly because there's no point in him doing so. Euroleague play is better suited to his style of play, and because of his calibre, the salary he can get there will be competitive too.

Chances of making the NBA expressed as an arbitrary percentage: 5%

Cook's addition gave Valencia a versatile and talented three guard rotation of him, Rafa Martinez and Nando De Colo. Valencia go only three deep in the backcourt, as opposed to most rival teams; young prospect Jose Simeon is the de facto fourth option, yet he does not play every game, and averages only 7 minutes a contest. (In the event of emergency, Valencia also called up career minor leaguer David Navarro to serve as a last ditched resort open at two guard. But he should not be expected to play.) Valencia might not have a trustworthy fourth option at the guard spots, but they also don't need one. Cook is one of the finest pure points around, averaging 7.2 points and 5.5 assists in 29 minutes per game, constantly pressuring the defense, looking for seams, and hitting cutters. He is shooting less than 40% for the season, overdribbles at times, and any improvements seen in his jumpshot in the last few years seem to have taken a backwards step this season, but his defense has improved, and his intangibles ever present. Cook's presence has moved De Colo into more of a combo guard role, and less of a pure point guard one. It's not working out optimally - De Colo needs the ball in his hands in order to be successful with his isolation scoring, which is harder to do with Cook around, and De Colo's impact without the ball is limited by his sub 30% three point shooting. Nevertheless, it's still an incredibly talented duo capable of carving up defense. And there are no such cohesion problems with Martinez, a highly capable all-around player, noted most for tough defense and outside shooting, but also able to make some plays, and get to the rim and finish, despite his relatively small size.

- Nando De Colo

Spurs draft pick Nando De Colo left France in the summer and moved to Valencia in the ACB in order to play against better competition. In the ACB he is averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, alongside 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in the Eurocup. The points per game leads the team in the ACB, but it's only second in the team's Eurocup campaign behind Spanish guard Rafa Martinez's 13.8 points per game. Rafa Martinez is a 27 year old slightly undersized off-guard with an automatic jumpshot, defensive hustle strong hairline and not much else. You're better off worrying about Nando.