This year’s Eurocup season is loaded with top prospects. Not so much with players for the 2021 Draft Class but definitely with some prospects that are potential lottery picks in the 2022 and 2023 Draft Class.
For the broader population not so familiar with the competition level of Eurocup, it is the second best international competition in Europe, right after Euroleague. Even though the quality isn’t as high as in previous years since some teams decided to join the FIBA Champions League competition, there are still some very good teams and players in this competition.
Let’s dig deeper in 10 best prospects, born in 2000 or younger, in this year’s Eurocup. There is no particular order in the list.
Fedor Žugić (KK Buducnost Voli) (SG | 198 cm | ‘03 ~ Montenegro)
Fedor still holds the record for the youngest player to make the debut in Euroleague, the highest level competition in Europe with 15 years and 157 days. Last season he also scored his first points in ABA League and this season he will try to prove in practices that he is finally ready for more minutes on the senior level basketball. His toughness was never questionable, he was never scared to take the responsibility in his hands. Per some reports he bulked up and worked on his body in this long offseason so from a physical standpoint, there shouldn’t be much of a problem to adapt to this more physical senior basketball. His offensive game and scoring potential is above his age group, can put pressure on the rim and also confidently takes his shots from distance. Has the scorer mentality and won’t lose his confidence even if he misses his first few shots. Has room for improvements in his pick & roll game and ball handling and especially in his defensive game where he sometimes gets lost too easily. A big role is not expected from him in this season for Budučnost but with his hard work attitude, I’m sure he will get some minutes to prove his talents.
Jean Montero (Herbalife Gran Canaria) (PG | 188 cm | ‘03 ~ Dominican Republic)
Staying in the 2022 Draft class with another top level and potential lottery pick prospect.
His role in the team also shouldn’t be big at least not in the beginning of the season. In preparations he showed some good moves and that he is not scared to step in the big shoes and play on the highest level. His playing style is best defined as a scoring point guard that excels in the open field and can create points out of every situation. His quickness in combination with his handles is deadly for most defenders and he can throw them out of balance and get to the rim with ease. Has a good shooting stroke too so you can’t leave him open, even though he sometimes makes poor shot selection choices. His on-ball defensive game is also on good level already, knows how to slide his feet and use his quickness but is limited due to his length. I usually compare him to Dennis Schröder with higher offensive potential.
Aleksander Balcerowski (Herbalife Gran Canaria) (PF/C | 215 cm | ‘00 ~ Poland)
Balcerowski has some minor experience from Euroleague level but due to some injuries in last seasons and deep rotation from Gran Canaria on his position, he hasn’t got too much opportunity to play for their first team in last season. Hopefully, he will get more in this season but with Khalifa Diop also waiting in the line for the opportunity, it won’t be that easy. Balcerowski’s skill set is really good for a player his size. Has great handles and likes to play face to the basket. Doesn’t make many ball handling mistakes and his moves look fluid. His back to the basket game also shouldn’t be underestimated since he has the IQ and feel on low post to beat opponents and soft touch around the rim with both hands. Can stretch the floor and probably has a brighter future as a stretch option than an inside player, especially if he can hit open three point shots consistently. With his court vision and passing touch he can also make an impact as a passer from the top. On the defensive end he can protect the rim with his size and length and also has mobility and feet to defend on perimeter in Europe but probably couldn’t work out as a switch option in the NBA.
Khalifa Diop (Herbalife Gran Canaria) (C | 208 cm | ‘02 ~ Senegal)
Another player of Gran Canaria. He is registered for the Eurocup competition, will probably get some minutes but I somehow expect that Balcerowski will be the first prospect option, if he stays healthy. Diop is another big man in the deep international 2022 NBA Draft class. His defensive potential is really high, he has the size, strength and footwork to guard most positions and can play as a switch big. His interior defense is on high level and doesn’t allow many easy points. His offensive game is kinda raw and needs more polishing. Showed some passing touch and court visions in some occasions but lacks consistency in his shot and also his decision making could be better. Overall a good pick & roll player that know how to set screens and roll to the rim, can make some back to the basket plays but the main strengths in his game are on the defensive end in my opinion.
Arturs Žagars (Joventut Badalona) (PG | 190 cm | ‘00 ~ Latvia)
A skilled point guard that knows how to operate with the ball in his hands. Has a great basketball IQ and his decisions are very good for a player his age and experience. Understands the game on a really high level. Possesses the flair and court vision to run pick & rolls extremely well and can find teammates on all levels. Knows how to create an open shot too and can knock threes off the dribble and also get to the rim and finish with a soft floater touch. His main liability is his defensive game, lacks the physical profile for NBA level, but on the offensive end definitely a player you would travel around the world just to watch him perform. And hopefully he will get enough opportunity to show his talents in this season.
Victor Wembanyama (Nanterre 92) (PF/C | 220 cm | ‘04 ~ France)
The youngest player on this list and I dare to say it, that he is the player with the highest upside/potential. Unique talent and skill set. Amazing length that can make an impact on the game on so many levels. Uses his long limbs in contesting shots around the rim and on perimeter, disrupts plays, makes steals.. His instincts on the defensive end are really elite level and if the body fills out as it should over the years, he will be a scary defender even on NBA level. But his game doesn’t end in defense, his offensive game is also unique and hasn’t been seen by many players. Can handle the ball as a point guard, fluid and advanced ball handling moves and can keep the dribbles low. With his coordination and footwork, he is capable of creating space for shot with step backs or side steps and makes them with good percentages for his age. In some games he also showed that he is capable of running off screens and being used as a catch & shoot shooter. Not a fully polished prospect but his tools are on another level and just scary to think how good he can be when he develops fully – body and technique wise.
Eleftherios Mantzoukas (Promitheas Patras) (F | 207 cm | ‘03 ~ Greece)
Mantzoukas made his pro debut in Greece league while he was still 14 years old, at the age of 15 he made his debut in FIBA Champions League (3rd strongest European international competition) and made his debut in Eurocup when he was 16 years old. Already has experience from top level competitions even though not being draft eligible for two years. Also broke the scoring record on ANGT Tournaments in Munich this year, scoring 49 points in one match. There were some rumours about him signing a multi-year contract with Olympiacos this offseason but no official signing and he is still a player of Promitheas at the time of writing this post. Versatile forward with all around offensive game. Likes to push the ball forward after grabbing the defensive rebounds, has the fluidity with the ball and is dangerous on open court. In halfcourt offense he plays mostly behind the three point line and can attack the rim with his long strides or take a shot. His shooting motion is solid but lacks consistency in his shot. Could make better decisions in offense too. On the defensive end he struggles with guarding better athletes which could be a liability on a higher level in the future.
Vrenz Bleijenbergh (Telenet Giants Antwerp) (SF/PG | 208 cm | ‘00 ~ Belgium)
Probably the prospect on this list with the most clear role and the player who should log the most minutes. He was an important piece of Antwerp rotation in last season already and his role should be a little bigger this year. I already wrote a few words about him in the Belgium league preview and not much to be added to that so I’ll just copy & paste the text here. Vrenz was working a lot on his body during the offseason, bulked up and his body looks better. The versatile wing can play and cover many positions but is the most efficient as a ball handler and pick & roll operator. His handles, court vision and decision making are very good for a player his size but his defense and shooting consistency can raise some question marks in the heads of NBA scouts and executives.
Davide Casarin (Umana Reyer Venezia) (G | 197 cm | ‘03 ~ Italy)
Played in two games for Venezia in Eurocup in last season already and with no bigger roster changes in the roster from Venezia, a much bigger role is not expected from him this season but should get minutes on more matches in my opinion. Davide is one of the many talented Italian guards that are coming and will be the future of Italian and European basketball. A high IQ guard with a great feel for the game. Shifty, knows how to use his body to manipulate the defender and get to the rim. Due to his size he can absorb contact well and finish under fouls. Also has a good eye for his teammates and can deliver precise passes, especially out of pick & roll situations to the roller. His shoot release could be quicker and also needs to work on his consistency since there were games with some pretty bad misses.
Yannick Nzosa (Unicaja Malaga) (C | 206 cm | ‘03 ~ Congo)
After a “war” for his player rights and missing almost the entire 2019/20 season Nzosa became a player of Unicaja in March, just before the pandemic stroke so he had to wait for his professional debut for Unicaja. And the debut came a few days ago in the game vs Morabanc Andorra and Nzosa immediately made an impact on the game. His defensive potential is sky high, not many players can make defensive plays like him. He can make full court chase down blocks, no shot is left uncontested with him being on the floor, has a really high motor. Has the quickness and fluidity in his feet to switch on perimeter too, can cover a good amount of space and has good anticipation for steals. On the offensive side his game is still kinda raw and limited to around the rim finishes. Should put more focus on his mid range game to be able to hit those shots more consistency and with quicker shot release. Also still has room on his frame to add more muscle and be even more impactful – as an interior defender and also as a finisher around the rim in offense.
