We’ve just wrapped up the first FIBA tournament of summer 2024. Team USA won the FIBA U17 World Cup title for the 7th consecutive time, so there were no big surprises for the gold medalists. However, the tournament also showcased impressive performances from European nations such as Italy, Turkey and Lithuania. Let’s take a closer look at the standout players of the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Kaan Onat – Anadolu Efes Istanbul (TUR)
Position: PG
Nationality: Turkey
Birth Year: 2007
Height: 6’5’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 27.9 MIN, 18.9 PTS, 31/61 2FG (50.8%), 11/27 3FG (40.7%), 37/52 FT (71.2%), 5.0 REB, 4.7 AST, 1.3 STL, 17.7 EFF
Kaan Onat was one of the standout players in the FIBA U17 World Cup and was selected to the tournament’s All-Star Team. Onat finished the tournament in 5th place in the PPG ranking, demonstrating his ability to score from various spots on the court. He has a very fast and long first step to beat his defender in the open court. He can finish with contact and draw fouls in the paint. Onat can stretch the court and beat his defender in 1v1 situations or close-out defenders with his speed and agility. Physically, Onat is well-developed compared to players in his age group, standing at 6’5” with decent athleticism.
Onat’s three-point shooting has significantly improved since the U16 European Championship in Skopje, where he increased his three-point shooting percentage from 3.4% (1/29) to 40.7% (11/27). However, despite this improvement, his shooting form still needs refinement. He shoots too flat and has a set point above his head and behind, which makes him more defendable on his catch & shoot and pull-ups. Addressing these issues will be crucial for him to become a high-level player.
Defensively, Onat has the potential to put high pressure on his opponents, especially in on-ball defense during crucial moments of the game. However, he needs to demonstrate this defensive intensity consistently. To reach higher levels, Onat must become a more stable defender and improve his focus on off-ball defense.
Guillermo Del Pino – Unicaja Malaga (ESP)
Position: PG
Nationality: Spain
Birth Year: 2007
Height: 6’5’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 20.0 MIN, 11.0 PTS, 20/37 2FG (54.1%), 9/36 3FG (25.0%), 10/14 FT (71.4%), 2.0 REB (0.6 OFF), 2.3 AST, 1.4 STL, 1.1 TOV, 9.6 EFF.
Guillermo Del Pino is one of the most creative point guards of his generation. Standing at 6-foot-5, Del Pino is a very physical point guard with decent athleticism and notably long arms. He possesses highly crafty ball-handling skills combined with flexibility. Additionally, Del Pino smartly utilizes jab steps and crossovers to drive into the paint. His repertoire includes a variety of moves when driving, such as drive-and-dishes, floaters, and jump shots. Del Pino has excellent court vision, allowing him to find open looks, make quick decisions, and take on responsibility in crucial moments.
Del Pino demonstrated his playmaking skills, effectively operating his team in pick & roll plays as a P&R ball handler and contributing efficiently to the score in high P&Rs. He trusts his catch & shoot abilities, especially in off-screen situations. Del Pino is proficient with his left hand in both handles and lay-ups. After becoming the MVP of last year’s European Championship in Skopje, Del Pino proved himself one more time in the highest level competition for his generation.
Derin Can Ustun – Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (SLO)
Position: SG
Nationality: Turkey
Birth Year: 2007
Height: 6’4’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 24.5 MIN, 13.1 PTS, 17/34 2FG (50%), 13/41 3FG (31.7%), 19/27 FT (70.4%), 3.0 REB, 3.4 AST, 1.0 STL, 10.3 EFF
Derin Can Ustun was one of the most versatile guards in the FIBA U17 World Cup. Standing at 6-foot-4, he primarily plays as a shooting guard. Ustun impressed with his shooting ability, making 3-pointers in various ways, including catch-and-shoot, spot-up, and pull-up situations. His high release, good form, and solid mechanics allow him to make tough shots, as demonstrated throughout the tournament.
Ustun also possesses point guard skills, effectively managing his team in pick-and-roll plays and attacking well against closeouts. Though not a very physical player and not inclined to play with contact, he can still reach the rim with his crafty handles and crossovers. However, he needs to improve his finishing at the rim and his proficiency with his weak hand.
If Ustun continues to develop his finishing skills and becomes more adept with his weak hand, he has the potential to become a well-rounded guard capable of making a significant impact at higher levels of European basketball.
Maikcol Perez – Orange 1 Basket Bassano (ITA)
Position: F
Nationality: Italy
Birth Year: 2007
Height: 6’8’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 28.3 MIN, 14.6 PTS, 41/70 2FG (58.6%), 0/5 3FG, 20/41 FT (48.8%), 8.6 REB (3.4 OFF), 4.3 AST, 2.4 TOV, 1.1 STL, 18.3 EFF.
Maikcol Perez ended up the FIBA U17 World Cup in tournament’s All-Star Team as same as the last year’s FIBA U16 European Championship and impressed with his performance in the offensive end of the court. Perez one of the best players who put much effort in the offensive paint. Italian forward averaged 3.4 offensive rebounds and dropped 25 points from second chances. Perez has a solid size at 6-foot-8 and decent athleticism. He uses his body well and can finish with contact. Perez has a great footwork, performs reverse moves quickly and effectively.
Perez prefers his strong side (right) on offense and almost never drives left; when he does, the result is not very bright. Italian prospect can go coast to coast with ball, uses open court well and can spread the floor. Perez has a great court vision, finding open looks well. He scored lots of points from off-cuts. However, 3-pointers are the biggest question mark in Perez’s game, as he attempted only five 3-pointers throughout the tournament. So, this is the biggest flaw in his game. On defense, he moves casually laterally and not very good at closeouts.
If Maikcol Perez continues to develop his shooting and defensive skills, he has the potential to become a well-rounded player and make a significant impact to his team.
Hugo Yimga – INSEP Paris (FRA)
Position: SF
Nationality: France
Birth Year: 2008
Height: 6’8’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 19.6 MIN, 15.4 PTS, 40/74 2FG (54.1%), 1/6 3FG (16.7), 25/40 FT (62.5%), 6.3 REB (4.3 OFF), 1.7 AST, 1.6 TOV, 1.0 STL, 0.7 BLK, 15.9 EFF.
Born in 2008, prospect Hugo Yimga stood out among players from the 2007 generation with his size and solid performances throughout the FIBA U17 World Cup. Yimga was one of the best finishers around the rim with his substantial size and physicality at 6’8’’. He moves very flexibly in narrow spaces and has very soft touches, this is allowing him to finish with contact easily around the rim. His anticipation and positioning in the paint made him one of the best offensive rebounders in the tournament (4.3 Offensive RPG). He contributed reliably with put-backs and off rebounds in the second chance plays. However, Yimga’s ability to stretch the floor remains questionable due to his offensive choices. He attempted only 6 three-pointers throughout the competition.
Defensively, he moves well laterally, focuses on off-ball defense, and is aware of help defense situations. It’s worth noting that Yimga looks very familiar to Nigel Hayes-Davis physically. They are both creative in the open court, can play post ups, and effective at spreading the floor. If Hugo improves his creativity on the perimeter and shoot more, there is no reason he cannot compete at the top levels of European basketball, similar to Nigel Hayes-Davis.
Gildas Gimenez – Real Madrid (ESP)
Position: SF
Nationality: Spain
Birth Year: 2007
Height: 6’6’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 21.8 MIN, 10.4 PTS, 23/35 2FG (65.7%), 5/13 3FG (38.5%), 12/22 FT (54.5%), 5.1 REB (1.1 OFF), 1.0 AST, 0.7 TOV, 0.7 STL, 0.7 BLK, 13.0 EFF.
Gildas Gimenez is one of the most promising players of the 2007 generation. Spanish prospect came from the bench in 6 of 7 games in the tournament and brought energy to both ends of the court. Gimenez is a very athletic and agile wing who can both stretch and spread the floor. He is a creative and smart open-court transition player who is good at positioning when filling the lanes. Gimenez finished the tournament with 13 3FG attempts, found open shots, and “punished the defenders behind the arc. No dribble jumpers stood out from his 3-pointer attempts (4/13). Gimenez can also create his own angles in the paint, great footwork and positioning. Real Madrid player can finish with contact, and draw fouls around the rim.
Defensively, Gimenez has often defended opponent’s ball-handlers by coach’s decision. Moves well lateral and can put pressure on opponent’s guards. He has quick hands and long arms which helps him to steal the ball. However, we have seen in a couple of sequences in which Gimenez struggled to navigate through screens. He is a decent defender under the rim despite his height, jumps well vertically and has a good positioning on defense as well. Overall, Gimenez had an impressive tournament but shows promise for even better performances in the future.
Diego Garavaglia – Olimpia Milano (ITA)
Position: PF
Nationality: Italy
Birth Year: 2007
Height: 6’7’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 25.8 MIN, 12.4 PTS, 18/35 2FG (51.4%), 12/36 3FG (33.3%), 15/17 FT (88.2%), 4.0 REB, 1.9 AST, 1.7 STL, 1.9 BLK, 14.3 EFF.
Diego Garavaglia ended up the FIBA U17 World Cup in tournament’s All-Second Team and make a difference with his size and physicality for his country in the forward position. Garavaglia has a solid size at 6-foot-7, with long arms and decent athleticism. It is very hard to drive against him, he uses his chest and body really well and does not hold back from playing with contact. It is very difficult to play post games against him as well. Italian prospect impressed with his rim protection in both the ANGT Finals and the FIBA U17 World Cup this season. Despite his height, Garavaglia averaged 1.9 blocks per game, becoming the second-leading blocker in the competition.
Garavaglia has a superb footwork and courtvision, he can moves fast and create his own angles in the paint. The addition of his consistency in 3-point shooting to all these defensive abilities, physicality, and dominance in the paint makes him a very promising player for the NBA and high levels of Europe. Apart from that, Garavaglia demonstrated that he was a true team player, guided his teammates in both ends of the court and made speeches to them when the game was paused. Diego Garavaglia is a player who can bring a positive presence to the locker room. Also his ability to contribute to team toughness and physicality could make him a valuable asset to any team in the high levels of Europe.
Arturas Butajevas – FC Barcelona (ESP)
Position:C
Nationality: Lithuania
Birth Year: 2007
Height: 6’9’’
Active Hand: Right
7 GP, 26.3 MIN, 14.4 PTS, 29/52 2FG (55.8%), 5/19 3FG (26.3%), 28/37 FT (75.7%), 11.3 REB (4.6 OFF), 1.3 AST, 1.6 TOV, 0.6 STL, 1.4 BLK, 20.9 EFF.
Lithuanian big man Arturas Butajevas performed consistently in the FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging a double-double. He scored in double digits in 6 out of 7 games and was named to the All-Second Team.
Butajevas has a well-built body, long arms, and great physicality. He doesn’t shy away from contact, is strong in the paint, and uses his body well. He positions himself effectively in the paint and uses his hips and back well against other big men. He also has good finger control for grabbing rebounds with small touches. Butajevas averaged 11.3 rebounds per game, making him the second-leading rebounder in the tournament. Offensively, he averaged 4.6 rebounds per game, leading in offensive rebounds and contributing with second-chance points. Butajevas can stretch the floor with a high percentage from spot-up 3-pointers. He plays well in the post and uses the low post area effectively.
Arturas Butajevas has the potential to be a part of a EuroLeague team as a backup power forward in the near future.
