Neven Spahija compares Ante Tomic with Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Joventut Badalona Credit Joventut Badalona

Ante Tomic ended the ACB League Regular Season with a stunning performance in Vitoria-Gasteiz against Baskonia, dominating with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He was unstoppable in the paint, handing out free lessons to Steven Enoch.

Ante Tomic

MIN:26.63PTS:22 (66.67%)REB:7As:3.5ST:0.5BL:0TO:2GM:2ProfileACB2021/2022

Tomic established a season-high with 34 PIR. He has averaged 23.5 points and 29.75 PIR in May. Joventut Badalona's center looks like a rookie who wishes to take on the world.

The Croatian big man has surpassed Bernard Hopkins in the historical ACB League ranking this weekend. Tomic occupies the ninth place in PIR. Darryl Middleton and Juan Carlos Navarro are next on the list. Will he reach them? It remains to be seen.

Neven Spahija praised his fellow countryman in an interview with the Croatian newspaper Vecenji, comparing him with two of the greatest power-forwards ever.

"Ante is a great player, there are no unknowns in basketball for him", Spahija began.

"In my opinion, he is still a EuroLeague player, without any doubt. I don't know why he left Barcelona, but he can still play in the EuroLeague without problems. Ante is like the Pau Gasol or the Tim Duncan of European basketball", he pointed out.

Spahija also thought that Tomic could have had a good career in the NBA.

"He made such a decision then, and I have no doubt he would have had a good run. He would surely impress with his IQ and intelligence on the court", concluded Baskonia's head coach.

Joventut Badalona will play the ACB quarterfinals against Lenovo Tenerife with home-court advantage.

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