In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets took a flier on a lanky Slovenian forward with the 49th pick.

He was a relative unknown to those unfamiliar with the European game, but his talents excited GM’s and execs all around the league. His name is Vlatko Cancar and he could be an important piece on the Nuggets in the future.

Let’s look at what he could do to help Denver.

(Note: All stats are via Basketball Real GM. unless otherwise noted.)

Career in Europe(from DraftExpress and Basketball Real GM)

Union Olimija(2013-14 to 2015-16)

DraftExpress describes Cancar as “a bit of a late bloomer”, as he made his debut in FIBA basketball at 16 years old. However, once he arrived on the scene, he impressed those who saw him play. He played for the Union Olimija junior team in the 2013-14 season, his first year in Europe. Cancar averaged 6.4 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 5 games playing 19 minutes a contest. He also showed his range, shooting 43.5% from downtown on 4.6 attempts per game.

The 6’8 forward didn’t really become a serious prospect until the 2015-16 season. Vlatko represented Slovenia at the 2015 FIBA U18 Division B European Championship, averaging 12.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg on 21 minutes per game. He played his first minutes for the Union Olimija senior team, but he spent most of the year on loan in the Slovenian league, where he really started to make a name for himself.

He played 25 games(starting 23) and played 31.9 minutes per game. Cancar averaged 13.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 1.2 spg while keeping a 1.2 assist to turnover ratio. He shot 49.1% from the floor and 42.6% from 3 on 4.0 attempts per game. Not bad for an 18-year-old.

Mega Leks(2016-17 to present)

Despite only playing 17 total games for Union Olimija, he decided to move clubs and take his talents to Mega Leks, a Serbian team that Nikola Jokic got his start with. In his first season there, he played 43 total games with 23 starts and averaged 20.0 minutes a match. He scored 7.4 ppg and collected 3.4 rpg while shooting 46.7% from the floor and 34.0% from 3 across all leagues and competitions. DraftExpress notes that he carved out a substantial spot in the team’s front-court rotation and became a go-to spot up shooter and floor spreader.

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In the 2017-18 season, he further expanded his role on the team. He averaged a senior league career-high 24.6 minutes per game while collecting 23 starts in 36 games. He put in 10.8 ppg and grabbed 4.5 rpg while shooting 44.0% on a career-high 8.6 FG attempts per game. Cancar shot 37.8% from 3 on 3.8 attempts per game and really proved he could spread the floor even at an advanced level of play.