Last week we attended prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament which gathers almost all the best NCAA seniors. While some soon to be NBA bound turn down invitations and focus on Draft Combine, others can really benefit from participating in PIT as executives from many teams from all over the world are present at the event. Among 64 players participating athletes we had opportunity to evaluate six Europeans before (most likely) they head back overseas to start pro careers. Not everyone likes and looks good in such spontaneous setting where you play with seven new teammates after just one practise so reports are based not only on the performance at Churchland High School.
BOGDAN BLIZNYUK
Bliznyuk road to the successful college career was very long and winding. Native of Lutsk, lost the father at early age and was born with the gap in his jaw. Underrecruited because of lack of AAU exposure caused by surgeries and injuries in the past as well as general tragic turn of events. 2169 points later (the most in Big Sky history), Bliznyuk became the Eagles leader and living legend. Moreover after being selected to All Big Sky 2nd Team last season, he has just been given player of the year award in this conference.
Undoubtedly Bliznyuk is very isolation heavy player. He rarely leaves attacking mode and even if kicks the ball out always stays around it and wants to make a play again. Only five players in NCAA made more unassisted FG this year and last season Bogdan was ranked 4th in iso percentage of offense with at least 100 possessions. Obviously he has tools and skills to excel in this type of basketball. Despite being more efficient on the left side, according to synergy he finished in excellent 85-88 percentile in one on one game during 16/17 & 17/18 seasons. This somewhat hero basketball worked well for Eagles Despite big usage there are more selfish players out there. Ukrainian guard doesn’t get tunnel vision and averaged around 4 assists during that period. He understands how big defensive focus he attracts and isolation + passess still fit excellent range based on advanced stats. Ast/To ratio is worrying but he had to try a lot in this setting and may be teamed up with quality PG in future.
Bliznyuk has a nice size and physicality for someone who plays with the ball that much. It takes some time for him to accelarate so he doesn’t overwhelm in transition but he possess other valuable assets as he can postup at times or force his way which gives advantage to score vs good defense that kept him in front. Moreover ability to withstand contact allow to finish reliably around the basket without good vertical leap. He also shows nice body control and signature spin move as well as much more wiggle than usual guy with his profile. Besides he is great rebounder if we categorize him as a guard and still good when blended with small forwards.
Another significant role he takes on the court is pick and roll ball handler. Even though he loves isolations he doesn’t mind attacking out of ball screens and then he is equally good in this including assisting! He was already showing flashes of it last year but in 2017/2018 twice more of his offensive possessions belonged to this category. He went from 17 to 48 points scored thanks to his dimes by a rolling big man. Also from 17 to 100 points on his dribble jumper after P&R which claims progress in his shooting skills. Release may not look very natural and effortless but also 3pt FG flirted with 40%.
Defensively Bliznyuk is really engaged for someone who is main offensive facilitator. He has super strong tree trunk legs but he may struggle with slashing NBA level athletes or quick guards. His main asset is containing dribble drives with his body which makes him good defending on the perimeter where is less space to beat him with speed advantage. He really contests the shots but despite good positional size length is average. Anyway he sits in proper stance and is willing to get physical.
Obviously this is not as good indicator as some of the other tables given the difference in level between the conferences. However it shows how rarely there is an European elite scorer even in low major teams.
There is always a risk regarding great bucket getters from small or medium schools. However in Bliznyuk case it is reduced because of his background, things he has been dealing with and his off the court humbleness. Moreover he is European so cultural adjustment process is definitely not anything concerning in his case. He can keep overcoming biases and obstacles on high pro level.
DUSAN RISTIC
Native of Novi Sad arrived in Sunrise Christian in the second half of last season before starting NCAA career. While he was projected to maybe even be one and done type of student, surprisingly he become linchpin to those who got drafted after completing just one year in Wildcats program like Stanley Johnson but before everything else frontcourt prospects from two past seasons – Lauri Markkanen & Deandre Ayton. Impact was smaller than expected but was growing steadily over the years and currently Ristic is Arizona’s career victories leader with 111 triumphs after surpassing Kaleb Tarczewski despite disappointing loss to Buffalo in 1st round of 2018 March Madness Tournament.
Ristic primary skill is a post scoring. He is super tall with solidly bulked upper & lower body and never hesitates to use elbows in traffic. His footwork is really nimble, he has great touch and can find right angles off the glass. Strength and sense of positioning allow him to create separation and then he is 7 footer so those attempts hardly ever gets denied. Moreover he shows rare and excellent patience as he starts to attack with perfect timing after previously taking look around if any of his teammates is in better spot to score. He obviously prefers to turn it to his left shoulder and finish with stronger right hand but still is far from being one sided. This season his offense was less post up heavy because of Ayton down low presence instead of Markkanen court stretching. However it’s not a big deal to adjust into twin tower tandem for Ristic who notably improved his mobility and possess desirable IQ. He is good at reading ongoing situation on the court and finding open lanes to cut and receive the ball for easy buckets. He also has enough tools and body to function well in screen and roll plays. He is instinctive, not easy to go around, can finish with floater and is not lost after catching the ball on the move.
Ristic is far from being a threat in face up but during the senior year he took twice more jumpers on solid FG percentage. He even stepped out few times for three pointer. His overall touch and growing FTs efficiency can be good indicator of adding this asset more frequently to his game next years.
Good not great rebounder. Below the rim type of player who doesn’t protect the rim much.
Serbian big man is now ready to compete on relatively high level. However his future is reportedly dependent in big degree on his deal with Red Star which he had before heading to USA. It may not be easy to land elsewhere and Zvezda even without Euroleague is a tough place to start.
VLADIMIR BRODZIANSKY
Slovakian forward born in Prievidza is a product of Canarias Basketball Academy which raised countless amount of player for division I schools. Before landing in TCU he had a stop at Pratt Community college in Kansas where after successful freshman year he was ranked Top 20 JuCo prospect. Named to All-Big 12 2nd Team as well as All-Defensive Team during 2017 season when Horned Frogs won NIT championship.
Brodziansky has well proportioned frame and size of the center but mobility of at least power forward. He is fairly good athlete especially for European standards on his position. He plays not way above but still over the rim and can block some shots. First and foremost really good scorer with his back to the basket. TCU alumni positions himself well, is nimble, has decent touch, quick spin move and good fakes. Moreover there is plenty to like in how he shares the ball in post up situations. He provides reasonable amount of court stretching. Has his favourite spot in front of the rim but is not super reliable in that regard with his somewhat side release on the jumper. However FT numbers are great for big man. Easy to cooperate with in two man game. Finishes quickly after catch. On the downside – below average rebounder. Not the most willing guy around to fight. Lacks face up game.
Vladimir can definitely play better level than his domestic league and is likely to be a long time member of senior National Team. Still he doesn’t seem ready for major European competition and will need to improve toughness, become more reliable stretcher or add perimeter skills to find a spot there.
MANU LECOMTE
Belgian guard represented Belgium in countless youth tournaments most often as a main offensive facilitator. He also played in Eurobasket 2017 qualifiers with senior national team and will undoubtedly be main PG of Lions for years. After starting most of the games as a freshman and sophomore in Miami Florida he transferred to Baylor where his name emerged even more. He was integral part of Bears Sweet 16 run last season and was named All BIG12 Newcomer team. Following year Baylor fell short to participate in NCAA tournament but Manu was clearly the leader and ended up being selected to 2nd Team of the prestigious conference.
Belgian prospect displays very similar style to American aggressive scoring guards. He is obviously undersized and possess just adequate playmaking skills. Good enough to run the team but won’t surprise you with breathtaking dimes and won’t suddenly make others look much better than usual. Definitely scoring is his first thought. His game is shot based and not many player took more 3s than him last season. Super quick trigger makes up for the lack of size and prevent defenders from blocking or altering his attempts. Manu has a really deep range and likes to fire it up from distance in transition. Moreover he comes off screens with quick feet set like quality SG which allow him to take this role for some stretches while teamed up with bigger guard or if opposite team doesn’t have height advantage. He possess good not great first step but still thanks to lighting release and solid handles can make plays in isolations. What makes him even more capable scorer on the move is touch on floaters or high arching layups. It is not elite skill but happens to be helpful at times. However he seems to prefers attacking to right side of the court. Has ok strength and seems to be adequate positional defender on ball. Improving the ability of creating for others in pick and roll situations can take him higher in his career.
Manu took way more attempts than other players and was able to kept it very reliable percentage wise. If list was narrow to at least 16 ppg and 38% only three players beside Lecomte would make it and two of them were selected in NBA draft.
G League grind seems a weird choice for Europeans and PIT showed that Manu is far from NBA. Belgium is proven as a good league for rookie and best domestic teams seems to be safe and reasonable choice. Then maybe progression to top French clubs.
EGOR KOULECHOV
Born in Volgograd, Russia but dual citizenship who moved out as a kid to Israel and chose to represent their national team. Firstly after arrival to USA joined Sagemont School in Weston, Florida. Played for three colleges in 5 years but besides slow start in ASU had a very good career claimed by succesful season as graduate transfer in high major program. Could very well skip it for pro opportunity in his country on solid financial terms. Selected to All C-USA First team in 2017 as a Top 50 scorer in the nation.
Sports a really good frame especially in upper body. Plays SG or wing but rebounds like power forward. First and foremost excellent shooter with compact release. Wants to hit big shots and has NBA range but could still be more clutch. Besides loves to use strength advantage. Can post up smaller guys and force his way to the rim. While penetrating ability is all about physicality, he really shows finishing flair around the rim. Doesn’t possess much of a mid range game. Has just ok explosiveness and handles or shiftiness are definitely not his strongest offensive areas. Shows decent activity level off the ball. Looks fast enough in open court and takes part in transition willingly. Can still master coming off screens. Has good defensive toughness. Checks bigger guys but not great guarding quick athletes.
It is easy to find a spot for guy like him. Pro body and sweet stroke. Will accept lower usage but can also lead the team in scoring when he has hot hand. There may be long line of Israeli teams waiting but even ACB in future seems possible.
MARTINAS GEBEN
Probably least regarded from this group. Had a really good senior season finally given starting role after three years of struggle in the shadow. Breakout started during the summer after junior year. Native of Vilnius was integral part of gold Lithuanian team at World University Games. Just the fifth European to ever suit up for Fighting Irish. Played three years of HS basketball in USA for St, Maria Goretti in Maryland.
Blue collar and self motivated type of player. Possess quite hefty frame and real Fighting Irish type of attitude. Willing to get physical and throw his body around. Excels in offensive rebounding. Won’t make a poster dunk but has no troubles dunking it with space even though he has average size and length for a Center. Runs fairly well or even quick for his bigness. Plays on really good percentage but has simple type of game offensively and most of the times needs to be fed. Has ok touch but basic in general and could be more dominant in post up situations. Shoots the FT very well. Rarely makes mid range jumpers but seems developable in this regard. Solid in pick and roll – can make bruises to guards from opposite teams while screening. Not rim protector type, has limitations but tries as much as he can on defense and covers ground quicker than regular guy with oldschool center type of body. Low creativity level but good enough IQ to function within offense of good team.
Has translatable assets for pro level. Good mentality and physicality mix that he brings to the table, make him intriguing fit for environment where he is surrounded by solid talent level like it was last year in Notre Dame. Can end up as back up center even for the best Lithuanian teams in few years. Bigger contribution demands more craftiness, experience and shooting.
