San Marino was the host of the U18 European Championship Division C, a really under-the-radar tournament full of small countries with small basketball traditions. Albania was crowned champion after beating Monaco in the final game behind a 41-point performance by Enzo Zotaj. Monaco and Azerbaijan arrived to the semi-finals after being undefeated in the group phase but suffered the explosion by Zotaj that lead Albania to the championship. Sloppy play, poor shooting, lots of turnovers and zone defenses, but also some wild individual performances and bright spots that are worth mention. Here are the standout players of the tournament:
Enzo Zotaj (SG/SF | 200cm | ’04) – Albania
Stats: 20.2 pts (FG2: 65%, FG3: 25%, FT: 83%), 4.5 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.2 stl, 3.2 to, 0.8 blk, 27 min.
Enzo Zotaj was the main reason why Albania went from a decent first-round team to a champion winning the final game by double-digit. Zotaj went from a discrete Grouph Phase to an absolute explosion scoring 30 in the semi-finals and 41 in the gold-medal game, both with very efficient shooting numbers. Even with that numbers, he didn’t make the All-Star Five, which was weird. Zotaj is versatile wing, fluid athlete with good positional size and long arms who can run the floor and impact the game without much usage and without the ball in his hands. Great cutter/slasher, opportunistic offensive rebounder and dangerous in the open court due to his speed, long strides and soft touch around the rim. Zotaj is an unselfish player who understands the game and does not force the action or tries to do too much, although he could be more aggressive on offense. His skills with the ball (passing/ball-handling) need improvement but there’s room to grow. Played mostly in an off-ball type of role and had a great impact driving to the basket and attacking closeout, which could realistically translate to the next level. Against better opposition his skill-set could adapt smoothly: versatile defender, who can run the floor, make good decisions, attack closeouts and make timely cuts. Better shooter than his numbers say, especially in spot-up situations. Smooth mechanic, high release, quick trigger: should improve. Very versatile defender with a consistent motor, team-first attitude, athleticism and active hands, although sometime gambles too much. His performance in the final game was brilliant: scored 41 points in just 24 shots with only 9 misses, three straight threes in the 2nd quarter and 8/8 from FT. Arguably the best long-term prospect in San Marino, should have a chance to have a Pro career if he finds a good system to learn and grow. College teams and youth academies should ask about him as soon as possible.
Lucas N’Gombo (C | 200cm | ’04) – Monaco
Stats: 22.2 pts (FG2: 57%, FG3: 20%, FT: 75%), 12.2 reb, 0.8 ast, 1.7 stl, 2.7 to, 0.8 blk, 31 min.
N’Gombo was dominant for Monaco, named MVP of the tournament and arguably the best prospect in San Marino before the last day of competition. As the best big-men in the competition, did the majority of his damage in the paint. Listed at 200cm but looked bigger and with a positive wingspan. Long and fluid athlete with a coordinated footwork and good balace in the low-post, right-handed but drove to his left most of the times. Not explosive or strong, yet but found his way to drive past defenders, finishing with a soft touch with either hand. Defensively, showed a lot of promise as a rim protector, altering shots thanks to his length and timing, but also showed above average lateral quickness and ability to stay in front of smaller players in the perimeter. He displayed some potential as a versatile defender. Impacted the game against low level competition but still has a lot of room to grow, physically –he needs to get stronger- and in terms of skills with the ball and shooting. He plays for AS Monaco, way better competition than the rest of the tournament, so he should benefit from a professional environment around him and take advantage to learn and develop physically. He didn’t have much opposition above the rim, the question is how much could he impact in the paint against bigger, stronger players but his footwork and soft touch could allow him to adapt.
Roderick Boyd Anderson III (G | 185cm | ’04) – Azerbaijan
Stats: 32.8 pts (FG2: 48%, FG3: 21%, FT: 61%), 8.3 reb, 2.5 ast, 6.5 stl, 5.2 to, 0.8 blk, 36 min.
Anderson was, by far, the best scorer, self creator and ball handler in the tournament. He definitively played a different style from the rest of the competition. In terms of individual skills with the ball, he was the best player in San Marino. He was an All-Star Five selection and top scorer of the tournament at 32.8 pts per game. Scored above 30 pts at all games, including a 39- point performance in the opening game. Anderson averaged a mind-blowing 31 shots attempts per game at a decent 40% clip, including 48% from 2p. In terms of quickness, strength and explosiveness, he was also the best athlete in San Marino, too. Did all of his damage with the ball of his hands, able to create his shot from all three levels and unstoppable in transition. Great leaping ability and ability to absorbed contact as he drove to the basket. He showed creativity with the ball against defense that collapsed on him every possession. Excelled in creating separation and generating his own shot. Not a bad facilitator, showed willingness to pass the ball despite not having a lot of company. The biggest question mark is how much he can impact in the next level, without that much usage, against better defenders and having to produce in off-ball situations. #4
Eithan Zerbib (G | 187cm | ’05) – Monaco
Stats: 21.2 pts (FG2: 62%, FG3: 19%, FT: 62%), 6.7 reb, 3.5 ast, 3.5 stl, 2.3 to, 0.3 blk, 28 min.
Electric scoring-guard with an intriguing long-term potential. The only 2005-born in the recap, listed at 187cm although looks like his body is not done growing. Long extremities and strides, quick and shifty. Zerbib, who also plays for AS Monaco, was named at the All-Star Five. He is a confident scorer and fun to watch but with a questionable shot selection. Took some wild threes, early in the shot-clock and from very deep. One of the few players that looked comfortable taking threes off the dribble. His shooting numbers looked bad especially because of those wild attempts. Flashy playmaker that plays with flair and instincts, his combination of ball-handling, quickness and ability to change speeds and directions made him really difficult to guard. Not afraid to gamble on defense and take risks with the ball, threw some wild and difficult passes too. Someone to follow closely if he continues to develop his understanding of the game and his body.
Aleksis Nika (PF | 204cm | ’04) – Albania
Stats: 17.2 pts (FG2: 47%, FG3: 26%, FT: 61%), 15 reb, 3.7 ast, 2.8 stl, 3 to, 1.5 blk, 36 min.
Nika was the best rebounder in San Marino and started the tournament putting unreal numbers: had a 30-20 game and another 20 rebound game in the first round. Big frame, wide shoulders, really strong but also really smart passer and with a good touch from mid-range. Athletically, he is not fluid athlete running the floor but he even lead the fast break at times for his team. His lateral movement indicates that he will have trouble guarding smaller and quicker players in the perimeter. In the semifinals, Nika destroyed the zone defenses with his interior passing touch and mid-range shooting. Not afraid of taking 3p shots in spot-up / catch and shoot situations. Very mature game, probably, a finished product, very close to his ceiling considering the combination of athletic profile and skills with the ball. Decent floor-low ceiling type of prospect. Should be a solid contributor for his Senior National Team and play professional in low level teams for a long time.
Matis Moncada (PG | 188cm | ’04) – Monaco
Stats: 20 pts (FG2: 48%, FG3: 24%, FT: 50%), 4.8 reb, 5.3 ast, 6.8 stl, 6.2 to, 0 blk, 28 min.
Moncada was the true floor-leader of Monaco and formed a deadly backcourt combo with Zerbib, that combine for 41 pts and 39 shot attempts per game. Dynamic playmaker with flair and skills with the ball. Light and shifty, really quick driving to the basket. His outside shooting looks promising, mainly because of his quick and smooth trigger shooting off the dribble, although his FT %s were below average. Accurate and smart passer, seemed mature and under control as a floorgeneral. Good awareness finding teammates and moving the ball.
Honorable Mention: Isak Semedo Linder (G | 187cm | ’04 – Luxembourg); Lucian Lavric (G | 186cm | 2005 – Moldova); Massimo Macaru (F | 194cm | ’05 – Moldova); Louis Koerfer (F | 198cm | 2004 – Luxembourg); Andri Jareci (C | 204cm | 2004 – Albania)
Author: Raul Ruscitti
