With seven international players -- all from Europe -- drafted this year, who will adjust to the increased speed and physical play?

Often known for its softer play with an emphasis on outside shooting, ball handling and sometimes yielding defense, the European-styled game is beginning to establish itself in the NBA. Originally showcased by the late Croatian/New Jersey Nets' shooting guard Drazen Petrovic and Lithuanian/Golden State Warriors' point guard Sarunas Marciulionis, versatile skills often reserved for players of smaller size have made their way to the NBA hardwood. This year's rookie class includes seven players drafted from Europe, including four that were on opening-day rosters when the season began Oct. 30. 

International players are often a draft gamble. For every Toni Kukoc, Dirk Nowitzki or Pedrag Stojakovic, there are an abundance of others (e.g., lottery pick Vitaly Potapenko, Martin Muursepp, Dino Radja) who make a brief cameo and are never heard from again. This trend isn't only limited to the draft. Others such as Shane Heal and Horacio Llamas find their way to the NBA through free agency, and fizzle shortly after. As well, there are ample amounts of drafted college stars that never make the transition (e.g., Yinka Dare, George Zidek, Serge Zwikker).

The June 27 draft included these players that made their respective team rosters when play began on Oct. 30:

Pau Gasol - Drafted No. 3 by the Atlanta Hawks (The Shareef Abdur-Rahim trade sent him to the Memphis Grizzlies.)

A lottery pick and the highest drafted international player ever, Gasol's versatility and frail frame have scouts comparing him to a younger Toni Kukoc. Although taller than Kukoc at 7'0", this 21-year-old possesses the skills to put the ball on the floor, run the court and dish at will. Last year, as a member of Spain's renowned F.C. Barcelona team, he averaged 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 23.8 minutes, including shooting 33 percent from three-point range. Early on this season, Gasol has averaged a double-double in points and rebounds, and had 27 points in his first career start on Nov. 8.

Outlook: Gasol will have to battle talented second-year pro Stromile Swift for P.T. Both are learning the ropes as they go, but their athleticism should help carry them. Swift is more of an inside threat, whereas Gasol can move outside the lane and increase his chances by knocking down the outside shot. With a young team high on potential, Gasol should get sufficient minutes and much-needed experience; something his fellow rookies will envy. 

Vladimir Radmanovic - Drafted No. 12 by the Seattle Sonics

This 6'10" power forward displayed above-average hops and a consistent outside shot at pre-draft camps, which catapulted this 21-year-old up in the draft. An early entrant, Radmanovic is coming off a season where he averaged 13.1 points and 9.9 rebounds in Saporta Cup competition while playing for FMP Zeleznik (Yugoslavia). So far this season, Radmanovic has displayed his outside touch, shooting 47 percent from three-point range and scoring a season-high 12 points versus Miami on Nov. 6. 

Outlook: Radmanovic's versatility and defensive skills should help him gain playing time. As with the majority of young players entering the league, he'll need to add some bulk to his 227-pound build. With some experience, a youthful forward duo of Rashard Lewis and Radmanovic could be interesting. 

Tony Parker - Drafted No. 28 by the San Antonio Spurs

At only 19 and the youngest international player drafted this year, Parker already has four years of professional basketball experience under his belt. Last season while playing for Paris Basket Racing in France, the 6'2" point guard averaged 14.7 points and 5.6 assists. His 168 assists were highlighted by a better than 2.5-to-1 turnover ratio. A surprise contributor this year, Parker made his first career start on Nov. 6 versus Orlando. In 32 minutes, he scored 12 points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out four assists. He followed up this start with a season-high 22 points in Charlotte the next game. He also leads the team in steals at 1.14 per game. 

Outlook: His biggest roadblock standing in the way of the one position is fifth-year pro Antonio Daniels. With a few games already started this season, Parker may steal the position from the often inconsistent Daniels. The transition may have already started as Daniels was quoted in the San Antonio Express-News as saying, "At point guard I felt comfortable in sports. But Tony Parker is definitely a natural at that position."

Antonis Fotsis - Drafted No. 48 by the Memphis Grizzlies

The third time must have been a charm. This is the third year in a row that Fotsis has entered the draft, but after withdrawing his name the past two years, this is the first time he has remained until draft day. Pre-draft scouts questioned his toughness, which may have contributed to his late second-round selection. Similar to fellow draftee Gasol, Fotsis is a big man that can hit the three pointer. At 6'10" he played the three position last year for Panathinaikos (Greece), averaging 46 percent from the three-point arc. Slowed by an early-season stint on injured reserve with a sore knee, Fotsis' contribution this year has been minimal. As of Nov. 11, he has appeared in only one game for the relocated Grizzles -- a 110-86 mauling by the Lakers. 

Outlook: Fotsis has to look no further than his fellow European draftee, Gasol, for P.T. competition. Without the skills of Gasol or the experience of bench veterans such as Ike Austin and Grant Long, it's unlikely Fotsis will see much time on the floor. But, with frequent losses a definite possibility this year, head coach Sidney Lowe may look for any possible combination to combat the inevitable grimness in Grizzlyland. 

Tom Trush is a freelance writer - contact Write Way Solutions (writewaysolutions@yahoo.com)