2018 NBA Draft: 5 under-the-radar prospects at center

5. Tryggvi Hlinason, Valencia

As somebody who has quietly worked his way onto the scene in Iceland, Hlinason recently latched on with Valencia in Spain. Standing at 7’1” with clear NBA size and strength, his combination of physical tools and a budding skill-set could end up making him just the second Icelandic player ever to reach the league.

While he’s not overly quick or an impressive athlete, Hlinason has the intangibles down pat. He’s a smart passer around the painted area, and has shown impressive instincts on both the offensive and defensive glass overseas. He does a nice job fighting for positioning underneath as well, and those are traits that will translate immediately at the next level.

Offensively, Hlinason’s repertoire is confined mostly to the painted area. He’s a skilled finisher in the pick-and-roll, showing nice touch around the rim with a handful of moves he can break out on the low block, but he lacks the perimeter threat that most high-end prospects have nowadays.

He doesn’t project as much more than a role player, but he’s someone whose production overseas is continuing to increase his stock nonetheless. Chances are we hear Hlinason’s name a bit more once the draft gets closer.