Sabonis ? Really mate , born in Portland , rized in the USA and out of your University system ... Yes great example ...
Peja - two season on the bench before he get the chance
Kukoc - selected in 1990, started playing in 1993 with one year on the bench only
Rubio - slected in 2009 , started playing in 2011 (though it was his decision i admit ) and played a total of 41 games in his first season ...
Petrovic : After playing mostly off the bench that year, Petrović experienced a breakthrough following a trade to the
New Jersey Nets (wiki)
Soooo which of those examples aren't in my favor ? every single European , even great stars as Peja spent at least one season on the bench ...