Aleksandar Vezenkov ('95, Bulgaria) -at the pic- and Antreas Christodoulou ('95, Cyprus). Both prospects are currently the best scorers of both divisions in the U16 European Championship. While 6'8'' Vezenkov is averaging 26.8 points in Czech Republic, 6'4'' Christodoulou is nailing 22.0 in Macedonia. Both are from Cyprus, even the first plays for Bulgaria for family reasons. Vezenkov is with Aris, while Christodoulou is with Mantoulidis. Yes. Both are growing in Greece. Parallel lives. They've been facing eachother during all the season. 

 

Vezenkov is not enough for Bulgaria. He is by far the man in Czech Republic, but with four losses in four games. He not only scores. He pulls down 10.0 rebounds (3rd best of the event), 3.3 assists (12th), 2.5 steals (6th) and 2.3 blocks (2nd). He is a small-forward, but these days he has to play at the PF because he is the taller of his squad and they need size inside. Last summer he gained experience in Bar (Montenegro) during the U16 EC, with 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20 minutes. In Czech Republic he is the spirit of Bulgaria, taking orders to all his teammates. He motivates them, but also gets angry with them when things don't work. Yesterday the Relegation Round started, very important for Bulgaria if they don't want to play in Division "B", but lost to Poland. They will need to fight till last day. He is a lefty prospect, with much heart. He is not an inside player, and that's why he needs to open to take advantage. Great wingspan, with two strong legs. He likes to play from outside to inside, stopping to shoot from midrange. Great skills.

 

And Christodoulou? He is not tall as Vezenkov. Yesterday he didn't play in the losing effort against Netherlands because they wanted to giving rest for the second round. He is scoring 22.0 points, adding 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He can shoot very well, and athletic enough to compete. Very good body. Thursday Cyprus will play against Macedonia.

 

Last February Vezenkov played the U16 Turk Telekom Tournament in Gaziantep, where he ended as the king of the stats with 28.0 points (the best), 14.3 rebounds (2nd), 4.4 assists (4th), 2.4 steals (10th) and 2.0 blocks (4th).

 

Check some articles from him in Eurohopes:

 

-Turk Telekom Tournament: Vezenkov, the king of stats. (February 17th, 2011)

-Vezenkov to Eurohopes: "I feel great, but without my teammates wouldn't be possible" (February 2nd, 2011).

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Vaclac Mudra