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NBA scout: Luka Doncic 'leap years above anyone' in 2018 draft class

Lehtikuva/Jussi Nukari / Action Images

The most coveted 2018-eligible NBA prospect may be a guy you won't see playing college ball this season.

Real Madrid wing Luka Doncic has grabbed the attention of NBA talent scouts with his incredible run at EuroBasket this week, as he's helped lead Slovenia to the gold medal game.

"Michael Porter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III couldn't put up the production that Doncic is doing in a 40-minute FIBA ball-control game," an NBA scouting executive told Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.

That was after Doncic put up 27 points and nine rebounds in a win over Latvia, and before he went for 11 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in Slovenia's semifinal upset of Spain on Thursday.

The scout told Wasserman that Doncic can "100 percent," be the top pick in the 2018 draft.

"His game is leap years above anyone," the scout said. "Continues to shine and impress."

In 67 games with Real Madrid last season, mostly as a 17-year-old, Doncic averaged 7.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists with a .446/.347/.819 shooting line. While he lacks the speed and raw physical tools of other prospects projected to be in the 2018 class, Doncic is already a knock-down shooter with an advanced feel for the game.

"Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Dirk - we could all beat them in a foot race," the scout told Wasserman. "Can't beat or teach the fundamental skill level this kid Doncic shows."

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