By Juan Cobos
As you all know, Eurohopes attended a few days ago the Madrid U-18 Final Four, where Real Madrid won the regional championship and Fuenlabrada and Estudiantes also got a ticket to the Spanish Nationals. Considering there were a lot of Spanish National youth teams players, several imported players and a few extra-motivated local league stars, it was difficult but we have selected a final four all tournament team based on their performance during the weekend (not just the way they played, but also how they helped their teams). There are other players who could have made it to this all final four team, and of course with the potential to become a professional player in the future. But we had to choose and here is our selection with an overview of everyone.
6’2’’ PG Jorge Sanz (’93)
Jorge Sanz -at the pic- had an amazing performance both Saturday and Sunday during the event. A regular member of the EBA team, he’s already seen action with the 1st team in the ACB league. An excellent ball handler, he is always with his head up, looking for an open man, or the way he can make more damage to the opponents. He was especially brilliant running the fastbreaks, with the physical tools to finish around the basket, using both hands, and with the timing to find the open teammate for the layup of the three pointer. He was Real Madrid floor general, and the game’s owner most of the time, but during the loss to Torrejón, there were some moments when he looked as if he was lacking concentration, probably because he has been out of the U-18 team and league dynamics for the whole season. He is a good three point shooter, with deep range. He might have to polish his mechanics though. At the defenssive end, when it mattered, he looked terrific showing he has the potential to be a great defender. With quick legs and hands, it is all about showing all the time the flashes of high defensive activity he showed. Hard to do when there is a big difference between your team and your rivals, as there was. To sum up, he looked liked the best player on court as of today and was a well deserved MVP.
6’4’’ SG Jonah Callenbach (’93)
Quite a performance for the Portuguese shooting guard. Virtually unstoppable on the offense. The 6’4’’ SG with strong legs, he was a menace attacking the rim during the whole competition. Trying to play the one on one everytime his team needed it, he was also part of a very well-coached Fuenlabrada team, looking constantly for the extra pass. Callenbach showed a special ability for driving to the hoop. He was not just a permanent headache for his rivals at fastbreaks, but also 5 on 5, when he took advantage from the space generated by his team’s ball movement, and from mismatches he was able to get playing the pick and roll. A very talented kid attacking the rim. He had the determination to look for the contact and the ability to finish with both hands. His offensive set of skills is not reduced, as he’s also able to find the open man, to give assists to his big men, and to score from the mid range, including an effective step back jumper. An average free throw shooter, he must work on his long distance shot. Not afraid from shooting, he’s got low percentages despite not having bad mechanics at all. On the deffensive side, he was active showing quick hands and legs, but sometimes looked a bit tired, probably because of his offensive performance.
6’8’’ SF Dani Díez (’93)
A classic pro small forward. He’s tall, somewhere between 6’7’’ and 6’8’’, with a good frame, can put the ball on the floor, and runs the fastbreak as good as anyone. He’s got a strong body. Most of his points came from offensive boards, fastbreaks, cuts and static threes. Must work on shooting after dribbling and after using screens. At the defensive end, he has de physical tools to be a good defender (he definitely proved that when matched with 5’10’’ PG Sergio Herranz) and already helps with the rebounds. He might have been the player on court with a brighter future ahead.
6’11’’ C Dylan Johns (’93)
I had many doubts including him in the top5. This spot could have gone to Willy Hernangómez, definitely the most skilled big man in the event, but considering we already had two Real Madrid players in the top5, it wouldn’t hurt to have a relatively unkown prospect here. Johns, who hails from United Kingdom, and came to Fuenlabrada from Majadahonda, is a 6’11’’ center with some interesting qualities. He really impresses because of his height and his ability to run the floor. Not a super athlete, he still showed he could run the fastbreak as a trailer and finished it dunking. With good length, he needs to gain some weight. Anyways, he doesn’t look like he’s going to be a heavy, strong, wide player ever. On the offensive end, Johns didn’t show many skills at the low post, but proved something important. He could score with both hands, and with a decent touch, despite of what his percentages might say. Most of his points came after and offensive board or an assist, in which he could dunk the ball, or finalize around the rim with semi-hooks. Must work on his jumper, but, very important for a big man, his free throw shooting is not a liability. As a defender, he showed activity and his length provided his team of intimidation. He had problems against bigger/heavier guys like the ones at Real Madrid, but his again, his length and decento mobility were useful. A guy with room for improvement.
6’11’’ C Cheick Diagne ('94)
He’s raw. But he’s a legit 6’11’’. He has struggled finishing around the rim, as he doesn’t have the touch yet. Anyway, he’s shown promising things on the offensive end. First, we have seen him passing when double defended. Second, we have seen him relatively efficient from the free throw line. Not a surprise considering he wasn’t afraid to shoot field goals from mid range. He tried to play at the low post, starting at the left and trying to shoot a right-handed hook from the middle of the paint, but he must work on that. Summing up, he’s shown some potential in the offensive side of the court, but most of his points came after an offensive rebound or an assist. On the other hand, he’s been brilliant at the defensive end. He’s been a beast rebounding. And with his length, despite not having blocked many shots at all, he’s been changing the way his rivals attack. Furthermore, he has shown his potential when used on top at the 1-2-2 zone, displaying an uncommon mobility. Sometimes he looked lost, but that does not seem like a problem, considering he does not speak Spanish and started to play with Torrejón only several weeks ago.
Honorable Mention:
6’9’’ C Guillermo Hernangómez (‘94). Skilled post player who can hit the jumper from the outside. Good size. Great use of his body.
6’6’’ SF Javier Medori (’93). Strong and competitive forward. Must work on his offensive set of skills.
6’7’’ SF Edgar Vicedo (’94). Long wing. A team guy who hits threes easily. In development.
6’4’’ SG Santiago Villena (’94). A do-it-all guard who must work on his shot selection. Streaky shooter.
6’6’’ SF Jorge Sánchez (’94). Great physical tools, he can also hit threes with a quick release. Good defender. His game really suits college basketball.
6’8’’ SF Filip Cvjeticanin (’93). Florida Gulf Coast signee. A long sharpshooter with good mobility.
6’8’’ C Placide Nakidjim (’94). Offensively raw, he might be short for the center spot but has the athleticism to become a PF once he polishes his offensive game. Great rebounder.
5’10’’ PG Javier Herranz (’93). Local hero. Tiny point guard with a natural ability to score under pressure. Great scorer from everywhere on the court.
Author’s note: Herranz was terrific during the whole tournament, but with Torrejón out and Sanz and Callenbach as the guards of the All Tournament Team, there was no spot for him there.
Photo: www.fbm.es
