The First of 4 ANGT Qualifiers have been held in Podgorica, Montenegro from January 26 by 28 the place eight groups competed for an auto bid for the Finals that shall be held in Berlin throughout the Euroleague Remaining 4 (Could 24-26, 2024).
Defending champion Actual Madrid was the marquee workforce headed to this occasion which included, Alba Berlin, Bayern Munich, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Cholet Basket, SC Derby Podgorica, Umana Reyer Venice, and the Subsequent Technology Staff. The rosters comprised 2006 to 2009 born with nearly all of rosters consisting of both ’06 or ’07 born gamers.
That is the second time I’ve watched and now written about Actual Madrid U18 workforce this season (article from the L’Hospitalet Match right here) and it’s secure to say that this Actual Madrid workforce is the equal of the Montverde workforce at the moment dominating in US highschool play. Actual Madrid is a powerhouse with a completely loaded roster with a number of the greatest gamers in Europe from their technology barely taking part in, and they’re the favorites to win in each matchup, and have essentially the most extremely touted 2025 NBA draft eligible participant in Hugo Gonzalez.
Actual Madrid dealing with the Subsequent Technology workforce (a workforce comprised of prime expertise in Europe) within the finals took the lead halfway by the Finals and clinched their automated bid to Berlin with an 86-79 victory. SC Derby got here in third with an 82-65 victory over Bayern Munich. With these outcomes we now know 2 of the 8 groups which shall be in Berlin, given the victory of Actual Madrid, and {that a} Subsequent Technology workforce often participates within the finals. There’s a small probability that SC Derby can get a bid to the ultimate spherical however provided that within the subsequent 3 qualifiers the Subsequent Technology squad makes it to the finals. Listed below are the highest prospects from the occasion:
High Prospects:
Hugo Gonzalez Spain 6’6 SG Actual Madrid 2006 Born Highlights
Hugo Gonzalez was voted MVP of the event after averaging 13.8 level per recreation 4 rebounds and virtually a 3 to 1 help to turnover ratio in 23:half-hour of recreation play. Whereas his shot from three was not falling at its regular price, he nonetheless was a really efficient and environment friendly participant. He’s lethal on the mid vary; he seeks out pictures on the elbow whether or not it’s off a fast flash when opponents are in zone or if it’s coming off a display screen and roll. He additionally has an efficient baseline fadeaway mid vary shot that helped him shoot 64% (14/22) from two. He loves to complete sturdy and has good handles, ending left or proper with a euro step or dunk. He has a scorer’s mentality, plus a powerful will to win and can make the appropriate go on the proper time. On protection, he was second within the event in steals and did a very good job to not get into foul bother, which has been a problem for him prior to now. He’s a possible 2025 NBA Draft lottery choose who we are going to get to view one final time at this stage on the ANGT Finals in Berlin.
Egor Demin Russia 6’8 Guard Actual Madrid 2006 Born Highlights
Egor Demin (pictured) is getting full time duties as the place to begin guard for Actual Madrid this season. It’s but to be decided whether or not that can finally be the most effective place on the professional stage, however both method the expertise is invaluable for his improvement. At 6’8, he would have wonderful dimension as a professional level guard, good dimension as a taking pictures guard, and regular dimension as a small ahead. He has an excellent trying stroke with good arc however is extra correct in catch and shoot alternatives than off the dribble, presently. His offensive effectivity numbers want to enhance to extend his draft inventory as he went 5/9 from the free throw line, 5/22 from three and had 18 turnovers in a 4 recreation span. Because the workforce’s level guard, it’s regarding that he had solely 24 assists to these 18 turnovers. Ought to Actual Madrid lose this season, it could very properly be because of the lack of a standard level guard of their beginning 5. He’s very environment friendly nevertheless, utilizing his size to glide to the rim and create house together with his lengthy wingspan ending performs together with his intensive lay up package deal going 17/28 from 2 within the 4 recreation event. Defensively he makes use of his size properly within the passing lane getting 10 steals and defends properly with out fouling. His dimension helps him on switches on the defensive finish and permits him to assist on defensive rebounds. He’s one of many worldwide gamers who scouts shall be monitoring carefully within the subsequent 18 months forward of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Ivan Kharchenkov Germany 6’6 Wing Bayern Munich 2006 Born Highlights
Ivan Kharchenkov was voted on the All Match workforce at his occasion averaging 16.5 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks within the 4 recreation span. Kharchenkov has a properly chiselled physique and good energy. He has good handles with the flexibility to drive both together with his left or proper hand and even shows a very good behind the again crossover in recreation motion. Along with his energy, he is ready to displace our bodies and create house for a shot. He has good observe by on his soar shot and should you embrace all competitions, together with FIBA and membership, he has good free throw taking pictures stats. Attributable to his energy, he is ready to guard gamers on the perimeter and within the submit at this stage. athlete with some potential as a shooter, which is why scouts like him as a prospect. He has some issues to work on within the subsequent 18 months previous to his first 12 months of draft eligibility. Whereas his handles are fairly good and he’ll drive with both hand, he finishes most performs together with his proper hand. Additionally, he doesn’t have a lot change of tempo or shiftiness to his recreation and he often goes full throttle downhill when attacking the basket. This can be why regardless of his handles to this point in each main competitors, he has extra turnovers than assists. As well as he has but to shoot over 30% from behind the three level line in any competitors. He was 4/25 right here, 12/44 at FIBA U17, 12/42 at FIBA U16, and so forth. As well as, he’s far much less environment friendly from 2 than the wings listed above him at this occasion. This was the final alternative to observe him play in opposition to his friends at ANGT as his workforce, Bayern Munich completed 4th in Podgorica.
Jack Kayil Germany 6’3 Level Guard SC Rasta Vechta (NGT Staff) 2006 Born Highlights
Jack Kayil has had again to again good performances on the ANGT (Here’s what I wrote about him at this occasion final season). Fortuitously for us he was not taking part in for a membership this time round and can most definitely be chosen once more for the finals ANGT workforce in Berlin. Someplace between 6’3 and 6’4 in top he has good dimension and appears to have leaned out a bit from a 12 months in the past. Exhibiting flashes of athleticism, energy and maturity as a lead guard. Taking part in with higher expertise on his workforce, he had 28 assists and simply 8 turnovers in Podgorica. He didn’t shoot the ball fairly in addition to the earlier 12 months, however general in his 8 recreation pattern, he shot a good 38.3% (18/47) from three and 84.2% (32/38) from the free throw line. Given his good free throw share, his capacity to get to the road 4.75 occasions per recreation is a further asset to his offensive arsenal. He has good taking pictures mechanics and displayed a very good offensive output, averaging 15 factors per recreation and seven assists for the occasion. General there was an absence of professional stage level guards at this occasion, so will probably be fascinating to see how he fares within the closing stage in Berlin, the place he can go face to face versus the opposite prime level guards in his class, with a attainable match up in opposition to Nolan Traore and Pole France (ought to they make it previous the qualifying part in Paris ANGT finish of March).
Declan Duru Germany 6’8 SF Actual Madrid 2007 Born Highlights
Declan Duru comes off the bench for this loaded Actual Madrid workforce. At 6’8 with an extended wingspan he performs the three and D function for this squad this season. Usually taking part in both the SF or PF place relying on who the opposite 4 teammates are with him on the ground. He reveals flashes of excessive potential, for instance when he grabbed the rebound and dribbled full courtroom down the appropriate facet, made an inside out dribble transfer and completed the play off with a one handed flush. He has additionally develop into a very good three level shooter. Taking pictures it properly first on the L’Hospitalet Match, and now right here in a small pattern dimension, he went 5/11. He’s best taking pictures nook 3s. Whereas he has just a little tightness within the hips he is an effective athlete, with ultimate dimension and seems to have a very good wingspan. Duru averaged 7.8 factors and 4.5 rebounds in 18 minutes of taking part in time. Will probably be fascinating to observe him develop as a featured scorer subsequent season when he and Sidi Gueye would be the two main rotational gamers returning to the squad.
Ismaila Diagne Senegal 7’0 C Actual Madrid 2006 Born Highlights
Ismaila Diagne was voted on the all event workforce, averaging 11 factors 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Diagne was essentially the most bodily imposing inside participant. At 6’11/7 toes with an extended wingspan and an athletic physique, there are few at this stage that may deal with him. His reference to Hugo Gonzalez on choose and rolls lobs and again cuts and lobs is fairly particular. They make at the least one professional like learn per recreation. He has good athleticism and is a employee on the offensive and defensive boards. He’s nonetheless not a shooter however may progress there, as he’s a profession 60% free throw shooter taking part in in ANGT (4th season taking part in within the event). Diagne has had a number of name ups with the professional membership and has carried out in these restricted minutes.
Lefteris Liotopoulos Greece 6’5 SG DEKA Academy (NGT Staff) 2006 Born * St John’s Commit
Lefteris Liotopoulos was voted to the all-tournament workforce averaging 19.5 factors and three.8 assists, serving to lead the NGT workforce to a finals look versus Actual Madrid. He reveals a stable aptitude in scoring and was environment friendly from two (55%) and from the free throw line (89%). His capacity to attract fouls at a excessive price was additionally an efficient weapon. The St Johns commit was good in catch and shoot alternatives past the three level line and when crowded was efficient as a driver. He and Kayil made a formidable backcourt right here. He has wiry energy and a powerful motor, transferring properly with out the ball. He had a 3 to 1 help to turnover ratio in Podgorica demonstrating some playmaking capacity. A possible recall for the NGT Staff that shall be represented in Berlin.
David Mirkovic Montenegro 6’9 PF SC Derby 2006 Born
David Mirkovic performed on the NGT workforce final 12 months, (you will discover certainly one of his write ups right here), however this season performed for the host workforce SC Derby. He performed properly, main the event in scoring (22.2 ppg) and rebounding (13) and being chosen to the all-tournament workforce. Since I first watched him at FIBA U16 (article right here) he has reworked his physique. He nonetheless has a large base, however has shed some physique fats and is a way more chiseled participant. Though it doesn’t seem that it has helped his vertical a lot, it has made him just a little faster, permitting him to be an influence ahead slightly than a small ball heart. Along with his added velocity, he has additionally been capable of deal with the ball extra and face up versus opponents. On sturdy closeouts on the perimeter, he can now successfully get to the rim with tempo to complete performs off or seize the rebound and take it coast to coast, himself. As well as the added velocity has allowed him to get extra deflections and steals. Mirkovic is a really good basketball participant who has good basketball instincts, each on protection (good anticipations and defensive rotations) and offense (making the appropriate learn and proper go). He’s not a rim protector and even together with his physique transformation is just not the most effective athlete, nor does he have the swiftest of toes laterally. What he is ready to do within the submit is create house together with his vast hips and physique to compensate for his lack of top and wingspan within the submit and is a risk as an out of doors shooter. However he might want to develop into an impressive outdoors shooter and has the potential for doing that, given you embrace each FIBA and NGT competitions over the past 2 years, he’s 34% (33/98) from three. What hurts him now’s that his shot is just a little gradual to load in catch and shoot conditions.
Ivan Volf Croatia 6’7 SF Bayern Munich 2006 Born Highlights
Ivan Wolf was a really environment friendly offensive participant at this occasion, averaging 13 factors whereas going 10/18 from three, 4/5 from the free throw line, and 9/13 from two. To prime it off he had 8 assists to 1 turnover in his 100 minutes of taking part in time. He ran the lanes properly, ending performs off with dunks and was a very good secondary choice to Ivan Kharchenko. He has some work to do on the defensive finish of the ball.
Maruan Cicic Montenegro 6’11 C SC Derby 2006 Born
Maruan Cicic averaged 17 factors and 9.8 rebounds on the occasion and was significantly sturdy across the basket. He completed performs with dunks and used the rim successfully to protect himself from potential blocked pictures, ending 59% (27/46) from the sector. On protection, he was an intimidator, main the occasion in blocked pictures with 11 within the 4 recreation span. He confirmed some flashes of mobility defensively and has legit dimension for the place. At present he doesn’t seem like expert sufficient for the highest stage, doesn’t shoot threes, shot free throws at a under 50% clip (14/29), and isn’t a lot of a passer.
Youthful gamers to watch for the longer term:
Sidi Gueye Senegal 6’10 PF Actual Madrid 2007 Born Highlights
Sidi Gueye is the one non 2006 born within the Actual Madrid beginning 5. He’s lengthy and agile with a plus wingspan. He averaged 8 factors and 6.5 rebounds. The lefty had his greatest recreation in opposition to Bayern, the place he had 14 factors and eight rebounds in 24 minutes of recreation play. Sidi’s athleticism and dimension alone deters groups from going to the outlet when he’s on protection and he’s a menace on the offensive boards on offense. As well as, he reveals flashes as a shooter, particularly on the elbow. On the flip facet, he can be much more efficient if he may add some energy and maybe add some muscle. He’s rail skinny and can at occasions draw back from contact and reveals itself statistically together with his 3 free throws in 4 video games. Subsequent 12 months, he and Declan Duru shall be featured, and take a lot of the offensive load, which can give scouts a greater indication of his professional potential.
Namik Muratovic Luxembourg 7’1 Bayern Munich 2008 Born
Namik Muratovic, a 2008 born, didn’t statistically wow anybody at this occasion, however he has the potential to be a participant in at the least two extra seasons. Taking part in just a little beneath 10 minutes per recreation, he confirmed good fluidity and mobility for a participant his age and dimension. He used his dimension successfully on protection, altering pictures and even getting a number of blocks. He completed performs off with dunks going 5/9 for the event.
Ivan Prato Argentina 6’10 PF/C Campus Varese 2007 Born
Ivan Prato was one of many higher gamers on the FIBA U16 Americas over the summer season. Right here he confirmed some flashes on offense. Transferring properly on choose and dives, exhibiting good type on his outdoors jumper and a few potential even placing the ball on the ground some. He has good mobility each on offense and protection. He appears to be extra snug in face up conditions than within the submit. He didn’t play within the championship recreation because of a minor leg harm in opposition to SC Derby. As well as, it’s debatable if he shall be chosen to be a part of the finals NGT workforce. If there’s room, I’m certain scouts would need him to take part.
Aaron Towo-Nansi France 5’8 PG Cholet 2009 Born Highlights
Aaron Towo-Nansi was an prompt crowd pleaser in Podgorica. He confirmed a capability to defend full courtroom, shoot brand stage threes, and has a fast crossover. He averaged 8.5 factors, 5.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 27 minutes of taking part in time. On offense he shot 6/18 from past the arc, creating house for his 3 level shot by taking facet steps, step backs, and brand stage pictures. Like many diminutive, his motion is non cease and he’ll work an opposing level guards all the best way down the courtroom. He does in all probability have a barely longer wingspan than his top, however the odds are stacked in opposition to him if he doesn’t develop 6 extra inches. The shortest drafted European participant I can recall is Raul Lopez (Utah Jazz) and the shortest present European participant within the NBA is Dennis Schröder at 6’1, with a plus wingspan. As well as he didn’t shoot it properly from contained in the arc and was not very efficient ending performs off after he blew by the primary layer of protection. He’s additionally simply 14 going in opposition to primarily 17 and 18 12 months olds, nevertheless it seems he’s extra prone to have an Andrew Albicy or Nadir Hifi affect than a real NBA prospect.
Mark Morano Mahmutovic Slovenia 6’6 SG Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 2007 Born
Mark Morano led the FIBA U16 Europe in scoring over the summer season (article right here) however was just a little uncovered at this occasion. He averaged 12.2 factors and 4.8 rebounds in 29 minutes per recreation. He had some flashy performs together with behind the again, wrap round passes from the submit, and a spin transfer that obtained him to the outlet going baseline (together with one in opposition to prime prospect Hugo Gonzalez). He additionally has good type on his shot, exhibiting a few of that potential by going 12/14 from the free throw line. Each on protection and offense he appeared to get bullied some by the older opponents and was significantly non aggressive on the defensive finish of the ground. He shot simply 5/25 from three and dedicated extra turnovers than assists.
Borna Katanovic Croatia 6’6 Wing Cibona (NGT Staff) 2007 Born
Borna Katanovic was an absolute stud in FIBA U16 B division over the summer season (article right here). Given his athletic limitations, scouts have been excited by how he would fare in opposition to higher competitors. He averaged 7.8 factors for the occasion and general settled, taking pictures a big quantity of three level pictures. The lefty solely shot 6 pictures from contained in the arc, in 4 video games and didn’t present any assists. He did handle to showcase the flexibility to tackle stress from opponents and confirmed good anticipation on protection, even getting 6 steals in 4 video games.
Samba Gueye Senegal 6’8 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 2008 Born
The 2008 born Samba Gueye showcased his lengthy wingspan and a few athleticism on the occasion. Taking part in simply 10 minutes per recreation, he was capable of have some athletic finishes. He acquired some actual minutes on the final recreation going 5/8 from the sector with 8 rebounds and 4 assists serving to lead his workforce to their sole victory on the event.
