By Rafal Juc
Las Euroleague Nike International Junior Classification Tournament is played in Belgrade (Serbia) and Eurohopes staff is there. Check out what happened in serbian capacity, called by basketball fans simply as a Mecca of this sport. Eurohopes staff arrived to the arena really early before first whistle of NIJT and had an occasion to visit Basket City and Basket Land objects, which originally belonged to FMP club, but now are also used by youth teams of Red Star. Could not have been different than a opener with presence of Crvena Zvezda. Team from Belgrade impresses mainly with frontcourt duo, which is make by Nikola Jankovic (’94) and Dusan Ristic (’95). Worth to admit that both are top in their generations and today only confirmed that have "papers" to play serious basketball. Statistically better was Jankovic, who finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists, but in our opinion one year younger Ristic is bigger prospect. Really long and well-build center listed at 7'0'' impresses his body control, mobility and really well-polished skills in offense.
Final result of game was know after just few really first minutes of action. Red Star shocked Alba Berlin with aggressive pressing and really easy, but efficient offense. All in all Germans lost (63-92), despite really good job by Luka Kamber (’94), who finished with 19 points in just 25 minutes and showed very versatile skills in offense. But even taking into account his good performance Alba did not have any chances to win. Red Star dominated for all game and confirmed rule that in serbian philosophy there are: no easy points, everyone has to crash the glass and offense should be easy, but efficient. We were impressed mainly with skinny Brano Djukanovic (’95), who went for 16 points on 4/6 threes. His shoot is just delicious and even being incapable of driving into the basket due to lack of bulk, 17-years old shooter is really dangerous on offensive end playing very well without ball.
Second game of this day was battle between Partizan Belgrade and french academy INSEP. Despite visible advantage, INSEP was not able to get away to a safe margin, what led to really exciting end. In spite of all the best vibrations left on us duo: Boris Dallo and Mam Jaiteh (both ’94), who were just killing Partizan’s defense with pick&roll’s. Remembering Jaiteh from last year’s U18 European Championship he improved his body building and undeniably is more polished in the offense. Showed really wide repertoire of post-up’s action being really dangerous in isolation on low-post. Great job leading INSEP’s game done still skinny and immature Dallo, who can be called without "baby-faced assassin" without any irony, because of inmature’s look and really reserved. But it is only first impression. Dallo can control rhythm and tempo of game very well, impresses with ball-handling and is really patient in individual actions. Despite it, Partizan had chance for a unexpected win. Last quarter was a show of Nikola Radicevic (’94). Left-handed slasher showed his best attacking basket with big aggressiveness and being really competitive around the rim finishing over INSEP’s big men. Although he was on fire and scored 24 points, Radicevic missed game-winning shoot in last action. Without no doubt the best one on court was Jaiteh, who finished with: 13 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks as well 2 steals.
Later this day Eurohopes staff had got an occasion, according to the saying "watch one game in Pionir Arena and die", watch on live two games in one of the most legendary and specific arena in all Europe. But to be honest, match-up Crvena Zvezda and Union Olimpija was coarse as well as soporific and nothing more. Final score (110-51 for hosts) express it clearly. Fortunately, emotions were with us in excess during Adriatic League game against Crvena Zvezda Belgrad and KK Zagreb, especially taking into account that we appeared on standings in the middle of crowd of 8 thousand crazy serbian supporters. In addition it was opportunity to follow other prospects, while Nemanja Nedovic (’91) plays for Crvena and talent Dario Saric (’94) came back to KK Zagreb’s uniform.
Despite the smoke "rising" above the court, because Serbians allow themselves to smoke cigarette even in inside the hall (!), it was possible to take a closer look at both prospects, because Nedovic spent on court almost 26 minutes, when Saric was in action for 21. Without no doubt one of the heroes of this evening was 21-years Serbian, who not only impresses with his athleticism, explosiveness and ease with which is able to get to the basket off the dribble, but also led Crvena to win with points in decisive run. Worth to admit that he did it in front of at least 7 NBA scouts. Nedovic finished with 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 26 minutes. Less active was Saric, who seemed to be a bit frustrated and felling uncomfortable in KK Zagreb team. Being in a shadow of older teammates, Croatian talent went for 5 points on 2/6 FG and 5 rebounds in 21 minutes, but it does not deny opinion that he is one of the best players in youth European generation. Stay tuned!
-Results (day 1):
Alba Berlin - Red Star (63-92)
Union Olimpija - Mega Vizura (72-76)
INSEP - Partizan (69-68)
Hemofarm - Brose (80-58)
Red Star - Union Olimpija (110-51)
Partizan - Hemofarm (78-64)
Mega Vizura - Alba (76-71)
Brose - INSEP (50-70)
Twitter of the author: @rafjuc
Photo: FIBA Europe / Wojtek Figurski (Jaiteh and Dallo)
