Between 24th and 25th of November, we attended European Youth Basketball League Division 1 tournament in Sopot, Poland. It gather 8 teams from 5 countries (Lithuania, Poland, Italy, Estonia and Belgium). Here’s our rundown on the best prospects who participated there:
LEVEL 1
Player: WOJCIECH TOMASZEWSKI Team: Biofarm Poznan DOB: 2002 Height: 197CM Position: G/F
Comments: Mainly I went here to see him. I saw him twice before and was thinking if he is good or VERY good. His performance here proved that he can make it on high level. Had succesful tryouts in Sevilla and Gran Canaria previously but was not ready mentally to leave Poland. Next season will probably play for Casale Monferrato in Italy. Growing youth program with strong A2 senior team. His future coach was here with Novipiu Piemonte and they kinda pre agreed all with father. Kid was there in early September to practise and see everything. He is amazing athlete for euro standards. Has wide shoulders and long arms. Father played on solid level in Poland and now is a gm of the team that kid plays in.
Player: KACPER KLACZEK Team: Next Step Academy DOB: 2002 Height: 201CM Position: G/F
Comments: 2002 generation may be the most talented in Poland since 1993. This is another highly interesting kid who can easily play in teams like Sevilla, Gran Canaria – you know those good not elite academies. Octagon wants to bring him to Saragossa. Was in Ratiopharm Ulm with other agent and they liked him a lot. He played here as friendly invitation. Coach of Italian academy saw him on EYBL last season and asked few weeks ago if he wants to join when they are in Poland. Now he plays with his older brother in 2nd division and practises regularly with Top league newcomer which even registered him for the league so he should be given some episodes later in the season. Kid is versitale can do pretty much everything. Good enough athlete, has size, can play 1 on 1 and go coast to coast. Shooting looks very promising. Can become high level also. Will probably leave Poland after this season.
Player: IGOR MILICIC Team: Trefl Sopot DOB: 2002 Height: 185CM Position: G/F
Comments: Son of Anwil Wloclawek coach. Father is Croatia former good tall (195cm) point guard who played last 5 seasons of his career in Poland. Kid is very talented and has amazing ball handling for the size plus moves and IQ. Siewruk used to coach him and he says kid will be amazing. He keeps growing a lot and looks a bit awkward and has ways to go physically. Coaches doesn’t treat him well and he looked poor and played only 15 mpg. Father already took him to Alba Berlin for the tryout with his best friend from this team. Will probably move there next season. Kid speaks Croatian, Polish, German and English! my guess is if he is good enough will play for Croatia. Has two younger brothers. People say that even more talented.
Player: ALEKSANDER WISNIEWSKI Team: Biofarm Poznan DOB: 2003 Height: 184CM Position: PG
Comments: Kid is twice better than any guard from his class in Poland and plays like a veteran. Basically he is ready to start U20 games here. Has amazing IQ, controls gears and possess good defensive anticipation. Father is around 190cm and I don’t think kid will be visibly taller. He lacks burst and doesn’t really have a good body. Also don’t know how good shooter he can be. I like him but I’m afraid he will be just borderline national team PG who will play all over good Polish teams.
OTHER NOTABLE
Player: KEVIN TSHINKOPO Team: BV Topsportschool DOB: 2002 Height: 181CM Position: PG
Comments: I really wanted to see this team cause two years ago in EYBL they had Vrenz Bleijenbergh and last season Haris Bratanovic. But this time they were really disappointing. Usually best Belgian kids play here but my friend from there told me that this generation is spreaded. This kid was more interesting than rest but nothing major. He has African roots. Just a very smooth mid major player in best case scenario.
Player: KASPER SUURORG Team: TTU Tallinn DOB: 2002 Height: 187CM Position: PG
Comments: Looks very baby like and interesting long term but mainly if he grows to let’s say 198cm. Looks longish and has big palms. Feel and touch is good but plays very soft and has questionable athleticism. Some of the things he makes will be good moves in future but for now he is just not strong enough to utilize his skills. Can emerge as late bloomer but I don’t think he will become huge prospect.
Player: NIKODEM CZOSKA Team: Trefl SopotDOB: 2002 Height: 193CM Position: SF / PF
Comments: Slasher with good energy and athleticism. Lead the team in every category. He attacks aggressively, is versatile but not very skilled yet. Can pass the ball definitely. Parents are kinda tall so may have some growing left. He is best friend of Milicic and was in ALBA Berlin with him. They really want them to go together maybe to some other German team. Good potential.
