With the next highlight FIBA Youth Tournament already starting this weekend, with the U18 European Championship in NIS, Serbia, we want to take a closer look at the five players of the All-Tournament team of the finished U20 Euro Champs.

Ilias Kamardine (03‘ – 195cm / 6‘5“ – SG)

14 PTS, 2.9 REB, 3.4 ASS, 1.9 TO, 2.6 STL, 18.1 +/-, 84.2% FT, 14/29 3FG, 57.1% 2FG in 23 MIN

The French guard from Dijon showed an extremely consistent performance throughout the tournament. His highlight was in the final against the surprise team from Israel, in which he contributed 23 points, 7 assists and 3 assists. The fully deserved MVP of the tournament has over-average athleticism by European standards and always found moments to put his stamp on the game. On the one hand he was one of the most aggressive defenders (2.6 STL – most in the tournament) with strong anticipation to destroy passing lanes, on the other hand he possesses a good and quick first step coupled with good range, even partly NBA range.

He has taken special development in playmaking since he managed to dictate the tempo most of the time. His 5 turnovers in the finals were a negative outlier, while in the 6 games before he committed only 1.3 TO on average.

Noam Yaacov (04‘ – 186cm / 6‘1“ – PG)

16.1 PTS, 4.4 REB, 7.6 ASS, 4 TO, 1 STL, 8.9 +/-, 4/23 3FG, 55.2% 2FG, 65.9% FT in 33.1 MIN

He was the linchpin of Israelis’ potent offense and led them all the way to the final. In addition to his 7.4 assists (tournament high) per game, he also had 4 turnovers, but still had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios (2.0 AST/TO) of the tournament. Yaacov also scored with clever finishes at the basket, using the ring often as a protector. Unfortunately, his notoriously inconsistent three-point shot still didn’t show any progress, but that didn’t hurt his offensive output, as he managed to finish efficient as a good pick-and-roll ball handler from mid-range, at the rim or set up his teammates with two-handed passes from clever angles. By far the best point guard with one of the most dominant performances of the whole tournament, scoring 31 PTS in the final, while having 5 assists and a field goal percentage of 68%. Surely one of the brightest point guard prospects of the 2004 generation to make a splash this upcoming season.

Daniel Wolf (04‘ – 211cm / 6‘11“ – C)

17.7 PTS, 12 REB (8.9 DREB), 2.4 ASS, 1.6 STL, 1.3 BL, 2.7 TO, 6.4 +/-, 75.9% FT, 6/28 3FG, 50.6 2FG in 32.1 MIN

As the tournament’s most versatile yet dominant big, the Yale sophomore formed an exciting duo with Yaacov. With 211cm / 6’11” he has good prerequisites, which he also knew how to use as a constant rim protector and dominant rebounder. Nevertheless, in his FIBA debut he also managed to pose problems for the opponents offensively on a regular basis. Either with his physicality in the paint, smart drives in which he put the ball on the floor himself from outside, or shooting from mid-range and three-point distance.

Finally, his highly developed basketball IQ should be emphasized. Although Wolf is not a really promising player at first glance, he always knows what to do to win the game. His overview (2.4 assists) confirms this once again and sometimes he even showed some highlight passes from post-up situations.

Yale will enjoy him as a sophomore next season, as he can be a very productive pick-and-pop player who can carry his team defensively as well.

Vangelis Zougris (04‘ – 202cm / 6‘8“ – F)

14.4 PTS, 11.1 REB (6.4 OREB), 2.1 ASS, 2 TO, 1.9 STL, 1 BL, 2.9 +/-, 55.8% FG, 0/1 3FG, 55.6% FT in 30.4 MIN

The foundation for the All-tournament team nomination of the Greek forward was already laid in the first game, in which he dominated the paint against Poland and was unstoppable with 24 PTS and 17 REB. It is important to mention that he was one of the youngest players (18 years old) of the European Championship, but still did not let himself be impressed by physicality.

On the contrary, his biggest strengths were in offensive rebounding (most of the tournament with 6.4) and rolling after setting good and stable blocks and at the same time strong and variable finishes at the rim. Zougris was still unable to stretch the floor, as he does not have a three-point game in his repertoire. Nevertheless, with the success of the European Championship, an improved season is expected for him at Peristeri.

Thijs de Ridder (03‘ – 203cm / 6‘8“ – PF)

16.9 PTS, 9.6 REB (4.1 OREB), 2.7 ASS, 1.4 STL, 1.4 TO, 0.9 BL, 7.4 +/-, 45.2% FG, 35.3% 3FG, 80% FT in 29.6 MIN

It’s hard to imagine how far De Ridder could have led his Belgian national team had he not been injured after a short time in the semifinals. Still, he was by far the most productive, promising, and most skillful player on his team.

Offensively he scored in a versatile manner, defensively he was valuable as a communicative leader and ring protector, and offensively he acted as a point forward dictating the game.

After his announced move to the ACB (Bilbao) and an expected further improvement of his game, he is one of the best European players for the 2024 NBA Draft as he simply brings a great physical package and at the same time has his own style of play.