By Rafal Juc
Find attached our point of view around the best point-guards playing last week in Kaunas (Lithuania) for the third Nike International Junior Tournament (to read more scouting reports like these ones become a subscriber of Eurohopes Premium Service).
Lukas Lekavicius -at the pic-: Zalgiris Kaunas, 1994, 6’0’’
Stats from NIJT: 11.8 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 turnovers, 0.8 steal in 21:38 minutes per game
Body/Athleticism: Standing around 6-0 posses decent high for a point guard spot in Europe, but undeniably lacks strength. Rather fast with good body coordination, but honestly seems to be not more than the average athlete. Maybe left such vibration on us, because as we were told by his coach, Lekavicius was out of practicing all month before tournament due to some injury.
Shooting: What definitely stand out about his shooting is great shoot-selection. Lekavicius is typical “first-pass” playmaker, who is not shooting too often, even being open. It causes that he finished tournament with brilliant efficient from distance - made 5 of 9 3-pointers (55.6%). His technique is not bookish, but it should be noticed that Lithuanian playmaker is left-handed and shooting from midrange or distance needs to turn his body right to have a left side closer to the rim. Scored most points with easy lay-up’s or floaters, but still has to work on his right hand.
Offense: As we mentioned earlier, Lekavicius is typical “first-pass” playmaker with incredible ball-handling and natural feel to the game. Great fit especially to teams, which prefer up-tempo or “run&gun” basketball, because he knows how to use fast-breaks. Shows no weakness in positional attack and what is more important - can use screens, which is not easy always for young players. Thanks to not forcing individual plays and terrific shoot-selection impresses with efficient. He scores mainly with lay-up’s after dynamic drives into the basket. From the other hand, he is not capable of finishing on a contact around the rim, so does not get to the free-throw line at a great rate.
Defense/Rebounding: Shows great hands quickness and excellent foot-work, what make him really aggressive defender, especially on ball. Due to evident lack of bulk and not impressive size, can be easily outplayed by higher or stronger opponent in post-up situation under the basket.
Serdar Annaev: BC Khimki Moscow Region, 1994, 6’1’’
Stats from NIJT: 7.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 turnovers, 2.5 steals in 36:34 minutes per game
Body/Athleticism: Annaev maybe is not too muscular, but shows right size, good body and promising frame. Terrific runner, who moves on court fluidly and can play on high intensity for a long time (in Kaunas was spending 36 minute per game!). He impressed us mainly with his really long arms and big hands, which help him definitely with handling the ball.
Shooting: Honesty, Russian playmaker was struggling with his shoot on all ways. Long way ahead him to be efficient in that aspect. Having ball in hands for much time is used to shooting quick off the dribble after couple of fakes. It causes that his release is pretty fast, but it influences on his technique. Poor 3-pointer, mainly due to lack of enough strength and bad shoot-selection.
Offense: Possesses leadership, great feeling to the game as well as a natural flow. Typical playmaker, who feels more confident with ball on hands. Impresses with great ball-handling (both hands quite good). Has in his repertoire many fakes and should be noticed that is dribbling without looking on ball perfectly. Really creative and smart, is not doing unnecessary movements on court. Not excellent decision-maker, especially in fast breaks struggling with decision: finish or pass, what explains rather high turnover ratio.
Defense/Rebounding: More than average defender, who thanks to excellent foot-work and rather long arms is difficult to loss on dribble. Really active one, who knows the game and his behavior in team defense is excellent, what make him really productive stealer.
Sam Hemeleers: VBL Topsportschool, 1995, 5’9’’
Stats from NIJT: 7.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2 turnovers, 1.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals in 20:13 minutes per game
Body/Athleticism: Belgian seems to be “early-develop” boy, especially looking at his body building. So it is really difficult picture if he will grow up few centimeters in future. But one is unquestionable - without couple extra cm, does not have chance to play at high level in seniors for sure. Taking into account, that was one year younger than rest (born in 1995), impresses in the main with his upper-body construction. Not fantastic athlete, who can run floor really fast.
Shooting: Due to his size and unimpressive first-step, spending actions generally on distance. Shows really good hands combination and technique as well as quick release, even if was struggling from 3-point line in Kaunas (4/17 3FG). However, was much better from midrange, especially off the dribble. Posses needed bravery and determination to making shoots even in clutch-time, what is really important for shooters.
Offense: Hard to image that Hemeleers was younger than rest, especially that he plays with calm and self-control and seems to be really experienced. Can go with ball quickly, but definitely better in positional attack, where patiently looks for a right solution. Has got not only high basketball IQ, but also excellent court-vision. Thanks to his shooting abilities uses by his coach not only as a point guard, but also as a shooting guard. Avoids driving to the basket on contact and finishing at the rim, in what prevents him lack of strength and not too impressive size.
Defense/Rebounding: Not outstanding, rather average defender. Sometimes forgets about boxing out his opponent, what causes that is not great rebounder. Has good foot-work, but does not have a lateral quickness. Can create some turnovers, but will get beat off the dribble from time to time.
Twitter of the author: @rafjuc
Photo: FIBA Europe / Marko Metlas
