Another FIBA national team window with qualifying games for the World Championship is over. Due to the ongoing dispute between EuroLeague and FIBA, again a lot of young talents got the chance to show themselves on international national team level. Probably more than ever before, because often established players don’t want to sacrifice themselves for the national team during the long and exhausting season while there is no realistic chance of participating in major tournaments, since the EuroLeague and NBA players are understandably primarily nominated at these.
Eurospects highlights in this article prospects with impressive performances in their national teams and report on current developments and progress of them.
Victor Wembanyama: (France – 7’2” / 219cm – 2004)
What else is there to say about Wemby? The new French soon to be NBA star, besides all his well-known exceptional physical and technical assets, has also added a distinct adaptability. Wembanyama immediately emerged as an absolute asphaltier in the French team and had no difficulties at all in the first game against the Czech Republic (72:59 victory) to harmonize with his teammates, to integrate them and to support them. Often, as observed with other young players in this FIBA window, these youngins need a certain start-up time. Not him. In the win over the Czech Republic and the following win against Lithuania, he was almost unstoppable. His averaged stats: 18.5 points, 10 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 2.5 TO, 44% 3pt (4/9), 45% 2pt (9/20), 63% FT, 27mins
If something can be criticized, then it is on the one hand his rather below-average free throw percentage and likewise the 45% from the 2-point field goal area. Especially the latter is due to a sometimes-forced shot selection, which however was not questionable, but rather due to his high volume of completions in the post and the zone. Of course, when Wemby had the ball, all opponents dropped towards him tremendously and tried to force him to pass, which he didn’t always read perfectly and knew how to get around with skip passes.
Juan Nunez: (Spain – 6’4” / 194cm – 2004)
The former Real Madrid playmaker put in a mostly solid performance in the games against Iceland and Italy. Constant overview of the game, speed control and highlight passes. As an 18-year-old, Nunez already holds the reins of the Spanish national team in his own hands. Even the still rather faltering three-point shot was to be seen the one or other time. Furthermore, his courageous finishing near the rim was again missed, also once again Nunez did not go to the free throw line a single time (22min game time per game). If he would add this to his repertoire, coupled with variable footwork and finding ways to absorb contacts, there would be hardly any obvious overall weaknesses in his game. His stats from the two games also show that he can nevertheless add a lot profitable to the game in several aspects: 8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 tos, 1.5 steals, 22mins, 5/11 2PT, 2/2 3PT, +/- +4
Justus Hollatz: (Germany – 6’3” / 193cm – 2001)
What Juan Nunez does excellently offensively, Justus Hollatz is still somewhat lacking. The balanced shot finding and selection. The athletic combo guard is not afraid to finish with contact, but still needs to find a better balance in his offensive game, as evidenced by his 5/18 field goals. German coach Herbert forced Hollatz into a lot of pick and rolls, most of which he solved smartly by identifying defensive weaknesses and open teammates. Particularly noteworthy are his 14 assists and only two turnovers in the game against Finland. His constant communication with his teammates was striking. In this window, Hollatz was the team captain and always knew how to fill that role with responsibility on and off the court, constantly communicating and hustling.
His stats during the games against Sweden and Iceland: 28 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 3to, 3/7 2PT, 0/5 3PT.
Davide Casarin: (Italy – 6’4” / 194cm – 2003)
The 19-year-old guard from Verona showed a surprising and untroubled performance in his debut in the senior national team of Italy. In just 11 minutes, Casarin showed a good motor and produced 10 points. He laid the foundation with an enormously aggressive on-ball defense, with which he directly forced two turnovers. He also went to the free throw line 6 times as he aggressively penetrated to the basket and made smart cuts. In the four-point win against Spain he had a strong +/- of +14 and with his short, intensive stints he played a major role in the surprising victory. Stats from the one game against Italy: 11min, 2 pers. fouls, 2 steals, +/- +14, 1/2 3PT, 5/6 FT.
Yannick Kraag: (Netherlands – 6’6” / 197cm – 2002)
The Badalona wing put in an exciting performance in this national team window although his team lost both games against Ukraine and Iceland. With a 45% 3PT%, Kraag was a constant weapon from distance but also showed variable finishing near the hoop, making him hugely unpredictable. In addition to his average of 19.5 points, he was equally present in rebounding (3 offensive rebounds per game) and grabbed a total of 8.5 boards per game.
His flawless and quick shot is the cornerstone of an offensively incredibly talented player who is definitely one to watch at the top European level.
His stats: 19.5pts, 14/29FG, 5/11 3PT, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 to, 6/10FT
Sasa Ciani: (Slovenia – 6‘10“ / 209cm – 2003)
Another 19-year-old prospect who made his senior national team debut and made quite an impression. The compact but not unathletic big man showed a solid performance. In 25 minutes of play Ciani contributed 9 points and showed again what an outstanding shot blocker he already is. On his two blocks, he showed well-developed anticipation skills to send shots back to the shooter. While he again failed to emit any danger from distance, he showed solid developments in his shooting form, which he confirmed with high free-throw percentages. His defensive intelligence, by the way, was not only noticeable in blocked throws, but also in intercepting and disrupting passes (2 steals).
Stats from the one-point defeat against Estonia: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 3 /4 FT, 3/6 2FG, 25min.
Noam Yaacov: (Israel – 6’1” / 186cm – 2004)
One of the youngest and most surprisingly nominated players of the FIBA window was definitely Noam Yaacov for Israel from Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. Nevertheless, his nomination was not undeserved, as he is already making valuable contributions in the Israeli league and likewise the Basketball Champions League.
The cheeky point guard showed an attentive and sensational performance from the start against Finland (95-97 defeat), which on the one hand brought out his inexperience (already fouled out after 19 minutes after some unnecessary fouls) and on the other hand showed his variability. Solid catch and shoot from distance, pull-ups from the midrange and finishes near the basket against bigger defenders. In addition, a constant will to push the ball as quickly as possible in transition. He finished the game with the following stats: 12 points, 19 mins, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 5 personal fouls, 4/4 FT, 2/3 3PT, +/- +6
Ondrej Hanzlik: (Czech Republic – 6’3” / 191cm – 2002)
If you are looking for a young and upcoming sharpshooter for the upcoming season, you should be convinced by Hanzlik in this FIBA window. The wing ran extremely hot against Montenegro and converted 5 of 9 threes. Whether in the fastbreaks, as a runner through staggered screens or even simple catch and shoot. Hanzlik spreads the floor at any time, but he definitely needs to integrate a viable move to the basket into his game so that he doesn’t have to rely solely on his shot.
Stats: 17 points, 5/9 3PT, 2 assists, 1 stl, 2/2 FT, 20mins
Gregor Glas: (Slovenia – 6’6” / 198cm – 2001)
One of the hottest players of the past weeks was also convincing in his national team. Glas is on his way to reach the top European level. This was proven by his performance for Slovenia against Estonia (one-point defeat), in which he was simply unstoppable offensively. Especially when coming out of downscreens / staggered screens, the Mornar Bar guard caused enormous difficulties for the opponent, because his fast and also powerful shot release is hard to contest. He finished the game with 18 points, including 12 from the three-point line (4/7 3FG) and two from the free throw line (2/2 FT). Added 4 rebounds.
