New basketball season in Europe is on the way! Market is different: there is way more American rookies (also from G League), many unemployed good players who didn’t go down from expectations on time but what is the most interesting for our team – post pandemic budget cuts resulted here and there in more opportunities for young players. It is uncertain if season can be played smoothly or finished but we can only control what we can control and enjoy it while it lasts, mostly by following it on tape.
Here’s part one of our rundown on the most notable prospects in various European leagues.
BELGIUM
In the last few years Belgium league has become a destination for many prospects to start their career and the league is loaded with some top level prospects, even for NBA level in this season too. Let’s take a look who are the top prospects in the league.
Definitely the team with the most prospects for all levels is Filou Oostende. Next to Amar Sylla and Keye van der Vuurst de Vries who were with the team in last season too, they’ve added Mario Nakić from Real Madrid and Haris Bratanović from Barcelona to their roster for this season.
The biggest prospect in the league is in my opinion Amar Sylla. He withdrew from the draft this season but will try his luck in the next draft for sure. What raised some concerns in my eyes when I watch some games in the preparations is that he hasn’t made any noticeable bulking up and improvements in his body in comparison to last year and also his offensive game and shooting motion hasn’t improved much in the offseason. His main assets are his mobility, athleticism and length which make him a versatile defender that can cover much ground and switch in defense and also great rebounding instincts. His offensive game is still pretty raw and needs to improve for the highest level.
Next in line is Mario Nakić, who took a similar route as Sylla. A product of Real Madrid’s youth program will try to get more minutes in Oostende even though he made his debut for Real Madrid in ACB in 2017/18 season and played in 12 matches last year for Real – 9 in ACB and 3 in Euroleague. Looking at the roster, Serbian guard/wing could have a good role in the team as a wing initiator and be one of the main creators in offense. With his all around game he should adapt to the league quickly and be one of the players to watch in this season.
Speaking of creators in Oostende’s team, a big part of their offense should go through the hands of Keye van der Vuurst de Vries. He was a big part of rotation in last season and with Dušan Djordjević “getting one year older”, Keye could take the first point guard role during the season. Can run the offense, reads and understands the game well, has the size to see over defenders and deliver precise passes on all levels. Has room for improvements in his shooting consistency and defensive game.
The last one in Oostende prospects quartet is Haris Bratanović. The only Belgium prospect of those four but he also has experience from Spain since he came from Barcelona’s youth program. Mobile big is improving as a shooter from distance and can stretch the floor while also feeling good in post up situations. Has a good eye for his team mates too and is a solid passer for his size and position. Oostende has long plans with him since he signed a five year contract and his role should get bigger every season.
Another top level prospect to watch is Vrenz Bleijenbergh from Antwerp Giants. He was working a lot on his body during the offseason, bulked up and his body looks better. The versatile wing can play and cover many positions but is the most efficient as a ball handler and pick & roll operator. His handles, court vision and decision making are very good for a player his size but his defense and shooting consistency can raise some question marks in the heads of NBA scouts and executives.
Nathan Kuta from Okapi Aalstar is another prospect who is ready for the next step. His name came on the radar of most scouts at the U18 Division B European Championship in 2018 where he was leading the Netherlands team to the gold medal and became the MVP of the tournament. Athletic big man with relentless energy and willpower for rebounds. No ball is lost for him and also fives max effort on the defensive end. In offense limited to around the rim finishes but can set good and hard screens and roll directly to the rim in pick & roll situations.
LITHUANIA
Nevezis emerged as another prospects hotbed in Europe. Last season they caught attention mainly thanks to Greek Georgios Kalaitzakis and his twin brother but this year management dropped even bigger bombs by signing super talented duo Ariel Hukporti and Abramo Canka.
Italian wing who is a product of Stellazzurra system was originally signed by Lokomotiv Kuban and loaned to Lithuania (somewhat family agency business). Very dynamic but also skinny player who reminds me a little of young Adam Hanga will definitely need to improve his bulk in order to compete in LKL. He is known from his poise, slashing ability and pesky defense but shooting and decision making still need refinement. Anyway he has a good situation but it’s unclear now whether he has a shot upcoming year or isn’t he actually more of two year project draft wise.
Ariel Hukporti is a big gifted with great tools. He shows flashes of perimeter skills but sometimes has even too big tendencies to use them which brings mixed results. Upside was never a question with him but consistency and focus are still concerning and he will be evaluated closely under those criterias by scouts. While maybe he is not the sharpest basketball mind he has a body and athleticism to compete and tough minded players with great fundamentals will be great test that he can benefit from. As of now though both are inactive which was well hidden fact by organisation. Especially with Hukporti it may take a while to see him on a court.
Marek Blazevic left Rytas in big degree because of Saras before he accepted an offer from Barcelona. Now since Landale didn’t leave for NBA young big might explore loan options but surely there will be number of teams interested (even abroad starting from Lokomotiv Kuban) in bringing fundamentally sound prospect with great character who is ready to contribute on high level.
Rokas Jokubaitis is rarely polished playmaker for still teenager. Team is stacked with capable offensive initiators but surely there will be many games in LKL which Rokas can start in and let key players rest a bit and be more fresh for another Euroleague battle. Speaking of it he may be ready to log more minutes in best European competition this season as well comparing to only 6mpg last year.
We mentioned how mature of a player Rokas Jokubaitis is but two years younger Augustas Marciulonis may be even more advanced in this category. Son of a legend is extremely savvy, quite ready to compete from physical standpoint and has all the makings of lead guard who can dictate the pace, run any offense, be right hand of a coach and moreover contribute as a scorer. From draft eligible players he will be accompanied by Lukas Uleckas. Wing with sweet shooting stroke, positional size and advanced feel for the game left Zalgiris and may be valuable piece of Rytas roster for years to come or even find a way back to Kaunas at some point of his career.
Tom Digbeu is back in Prienai team. Previous season was clearly a setback for French/Spanish wing because of health problems and his stock doesn’t seem great at the moment. Can we expect major comeback? I am slightly skeptical but son of long time scout and former draftee still figures in notebooks of NBA executives who will be curious to see if he built on his raw talent and whether he kept 100% of speed and bounce that he had. Simas Jarumbauskas is another worth mentioning lefty young swingman in the roster.
POLAND
Polish league started the earliest in Europe so there is already small sample of what it really looks like for the youngsters.
Lukasz Kolenda was tempted by a leadership role to stay in Trefl Sopot and fullfill last year of contract obligation despite interest from German league but in fact he is still combining minutes on both backcourt positions as team signed American rookie PG. Also there are some more experienced players in the roster and it’s hard to expect from lefty playmaker to provide winning consistently (his end of the game performances doesn’t help to label him as a pure playmaker). League is worse, he is older, he knows the system perfectly, you can see his even more bulked frame, he will surely be impactful in 20/21 but more than anything in order to make a jump he simply needs environment change next year. That is the move that can verify his upside eventually. Either Polish cup team or something like Trefl but abroad in better league. Meanwhile his older brother who gets way less attention is emerging as interesting 3 and D guy which given simplicity of the role may allow him to get opportunity somewhere else quicker than Lukasz.
Anwil Wloclawek roster includes three young players in rotation which is rare for title contender and may turn out not to be good for those prospects. Andrzej Pluta came back to Poland and has even smaller role than in Leb Gold (actually his little brother may get a similar role in solely Polish Asseco team), Wojciech Tomaszewski can still be great but it’s hard to expect him to log 10+ minutes regularly once Mckenzie Moore (or his replacement) is back. Adrian Bogucki doesn’t have a guard 2 man game partner to create him but has other non shooting centers who are less targeted defensively and seems like Stelmet Zielona Gora and playing for Zan Tabak who is elite coach in big man development was the only right solution for him but negotiations fell short.
Speaking of comebacks Filip Siewruk is another once big prospect who took his talents back to his homeland but is unexpected to have a notable role in Spojnia Stargard.
Lastly I need to mention Sasha Killeya Jones. Obviously he is not draft eligible anymore but It is rare to have a Mcdonald All American player running down the Polish arenas. There are some concerning reasons why he is in average Polish team instead of knocking the doors to the NBA at the moment but he still oozes with potential and has a coaching staff committed to helping him to get back where he belongs. American / English big with great athletic abilities and still somewhat raw but at the same time versatile offensive game is just 22 years old so thanks to good situation in Dabrowa Gornicza and further maturation may get another shot on higher level. Team is losing so far but SKJ doesn’t seem the one who could be blamed as his production is really good and supported by great efficiency
