Overview
Tristan Vukcevic is a 20-year-old, seven-foot center with an NBA-ready build that has been playing pro in his native Serbia since the 2020-21 season. He started his pro career with Real Madrid in the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague, appearing in 23 games (one start) for Los Blancos. He logged 21 games for Real Madrid the following season before moving to Partizan. He played the entire 2022-23 season with Partizan, playing a combined 36 games (11 starts) between the ABA Adriatic League and the EuroLeague. He averaged 8.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in the Adriatic League across 22 games (nine starts). But Vukcevic had little impact in his 14 EuroLeague contests, averaging just 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds across 6.2 minutes. His best performance of the 2022-23 EuroLeague season came during a win over Virtus Bologna on Oct. 20 when he racked up eight points and two rebounds in 15 minutes.
Analysis
Vukcevic was inconsistent as his playing time was far from predictable. His offensive ability is noticeable, however, and his game on that end of the floor should translate well at the next level. His size and athleticism make him an inside and lob threat, respectively. He’s also a respectable outside weapon due to his three-point shooting. The big man made 37.3 percent of his threes during the 2022-23 season across all competitions. Where Vukcevic needs work is on the defensive end as he’s lacking rim protection despite his size. His defensive instincts and overall awareness are key areas of improvement.
Projection
Vukcevic is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but it remains to be seen if he will move stateside right away. His potential as a versatile scorer is noticeable, although, his game is quite raw and might need one or two more seasons in Europe before being NBA ready, especially on the defensive end. He projects to be a solid role player and where he lands will also determine his potential upside at the highest level.
— Profile by RotoWire