Issuf Sanon

THE DRAFTEE

Ukrainian swaggy guard Issuf Sanon showed up in Tel Aviv straight from the NBA summer league in Las Vegas where he suited up for Wizards which drafted him with 44th pick the year before. He was unquestionable leader in the team that maybe lacked individual technique among the members but played very hard and competed day in day out. 

Sanon is very vocal player, maybe at times even too much. Ha hardly ever stops talking, provokes rivals a lot and at times seems somewhat annoying but possibly it is what fuels him. At the same time he is never affraid of the moment and pressure doesn’t bother him at all. He is more thickly built and stronger than most of euro guards but at the same time displays really good first step which opens his penetration game. He still tends to try to renavigate the defender and go right at all cost while forced left but ability to play through contact, natural aggressiveness and bravery allow him to put pressure on the rim consistently. 

He didn’t shot the ball well like most of the season with Ljublana but really exceled defensively. I think that is his the best selling point actually. He has strong base to contain drivers with his body, likes challenges and plays with effort. Still does too much hand reaching or may lack fundamentals here or there but with seasoning on good euro level can become a specialist who gives more offensively than typical stopper and adds some playmaking from comboguard spot. However in order to do that Sanon needs to keep working on his basketball IQ, obviously hit more open threes like everyone nowadays and hide ego a bit to accept less scoring opportunities. And I think he can make that as he already hustles a lot and does little things that contribute to winning. 

Subpar season so far for Washington Wizards stash. Sanon is definitely not the one who could fix Olimpija’s game organisation problem as he still gets very questionable as main decision maker with the ball. His court vision is average and often he attacks with reckless abandon, starts two step and looks for open teammate last second while hanging in the air without pre action feel which often leads either to traveling or bad passes. Despite athleticism, some wiggle, swag, confidence and bravery in one on one game which was very attractive on youth level he remains better option on defensive end. As of now, Sanon finished with double digit in only 7 games from 41 contests, often records minus efficiency, has more turnovers than assists and made only 11 from 59 three pointers in ABA Liga & BCL. On the other hand, while there is a lot to like on defensive end in his poise, willingness to press way above three point line, strong base which allows to contain the contact or solid foot speed, how much is it actually supported by fundamentals? He does get overaggressive and many of fouls seem to be easily avoidable as he doesn’t calculate in a wrong way. In all competitions combined he averages 6.23 pf per 36. To protect a bit Ukrainian guard we have to mention that he has been playing basketball on solid pro level barely over one year now after previously arriving almost out of nowhere as a draft candidate. However lack of progress is really worrying. As of now he looks more like a slashing guard with underwhelming basketball IQ who has very good but not elite tools & just ok skill level to compensate. Lack of shooting and decision making which puts you kinda out of position is probably the worst existing combination for guards even if one becomes capable of locking down anyone. He can be better than now especially in first regard but there is occuring a risk that it may be somewhat wasted pick without any refinements next year. Isn’t there actually handful of likewise players in G League or among college seniors? Speaking of it isn’t going to G League and proving he is something more the right idea?

Issuf Sanon – Ukrainian prodigy has been given really solid minutes past reminder of the season in Olimpija Ljublana. Next year Slovenian powerhouse will be probably the most often visited destination by NBA scouts as Luka Samanic just signed multi year deal and reportedly Marko Simonovic is the next big thing to join the team. Sanon is just very exciting player to watch. Despite mistakes he still can’t avoid there is something special in his playing style full of swag and imaginative one on one moves. He is never affraid of the moment and is even willing to press his man full court. Still needs to fix body language, ball distribution and develop moves to the left side of the court. Reaching balance between brilliance and maturity next years will be the key. To sum up very good draft and stash option. Even in upcoming draft!

Issuf Sanon was the biggest sensation of the summer. Ukrainian swaggy combo guard was too quick and too good for any defender in Bratislava. After every next game he was getting more and more recognition and people started to say about Issuf as high major or even NBA prospect louder and with bigger confidence. Sanon possess superior athleticism and is extremely fun to watch. He still has some flaws to his game but even more crucial for his further development than the amount of work he needs to put in will be the process of leaving his current team.