Leo Menalo

Leo Menalo (PF | 208 cm | ’02) ~ Virtus Bologna (Italy), Croatia

Did a surprisingly good job in defense when he needed to defend the ball handlers or perimeter. Read the offense well and with his long limbs made impact in defense. Loved to run the floor and finish in transition with a dunk while in halfcourt sets, he played behind the three-point line and most of his shots were spot up three pointers or drives on closeouts. Was inefficient from the field against both US teams and against 3SSB Select even missed an easy layup in transition. It raises some questions how good he can be against more athletic, physical and longer defenders on pro level.

Leo Menalo (F | 200 cm | ‘02) ~ Croatia

14.0 pts, FG2-62.5%, FG3-40.0%, FT-91.7%, 4.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.7 st, 2.0 to, 1.3 blck

Menalo was tough to evaluate in Podgorica because he had so many ups & downs and it really depended which game you watched him play. He had some great performances and a few bad ones so he definitely needs to work on his consistency. But at every moment it was quite obvious that he is one of the most talented forwards in the tournament. He moved fluidly, easily created separation without the ball and showed good shooting skills when coming off-screen. Another thing that popped out is his athleticism and he managed to make quite a few highlight-worthy dunks. He is a player that can play with or without the ball and is capable of creating scoring opportunities. Used his basketball IQ very well in defense and anticipated plays and stole a few balls. A versatile forward that still can improve and his ceiling can be really high if he manages to get more consistent in his performances.

GREAT body, moves exceptionally fluid. Being invested in when he plays for Stella as oversized PG. Master of none but at the same time displays solid versitality. Could be tougher probably. Loads of talent, consistent production is not there yet but must follow even for NBA guys.

LEO MENALO (2002, 6’8, FORWARD, CIBONA) – Overall weak performance of Cibona team helped Leo Menalo to get playing time. We witnessed just a small sample, mostly in garbage time but no one can stay indifferent to flashes that Crotian national youth teams member presented. Menalo, standing around 6’8 with very well proportioned frame runs the court exceptionally fluid. In general he has amazing athletic predispositions and is undermature which suggests huge room for improvement. Obviously Leo has his downsides. At the moment he is just a promise of something big. He is still figuring out his role on the court and has ways to go skillwise. However tools are there and he is must follow moving forward to all scouts.