Goga Bitadze joined the group of elite European prospects that will be eligible for the draft this summer. The Georgian center is projected as a first round pick.
Bitadze, 19, has just completed his Euroleague season with Montenegrian club Buducnost, breaking many records for a teenager in the process. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 24 minutes per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 31.3 percent beyond the arc.
6'11 center and potential lottery pick Goga Bitadze has entered the 2019 NBA draft according to his agent @MiskoRaznatovic. ESPN news story: https://t.co/lKeLVSs4qk pic.twitter.com/5thiORaxTY
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 20, 2019
Prior to his signing with Euroleague’s Buducnost, Bitadze appeared in 11 games for Mega Bemax, Serbian club widely known for its development of Balkan prospects. Nikola Jokic is the most notable product of Mega’s system. Bitadze played a huge role for the club and was Adriatic League’s – also known as ABA Liga – scoring (20 2 points per game) and rebounding (7.9 rebounds per game) leader during his tenure there.
Bitadze is a clear-cut favorite to win the most prestigious award for young Europeans, Euroleague Rising Star, for a reason. The Georgian 7-footer has all the qualities that are needed for a modern center. He’s been terrorizing opponents both in the post and pick-n-roll sets in the Adriatic league and was more than a formidable threat for defenders in Euroleague. His athleticism, quickness, and size allow him to dominate on boards and he has a decent shooting range for a young center. He’s also a promising defender with a decent reach and respectable defensive skills for a 19-year-old big.
The Georgian center will take part in a decisive Game 5 of Adriatic league Finals against Crvena Zvezda this upcoming Monday and will try to win his first legit title alongside NBA vets, Earl Clark and Norris Cole. However, he will return to Mega after ABA Liga Finals according to loan terms between Buducnost and the Serban club. He will most likely take part in Serbian league playoffs that are scheduled for May-early June.
