By Rafal Juc

 

Eurohopes staff travelled last weekend to Belgrade to watch last qualifications of Nike International Junior Tournament. Find below reports around All-Tournament Team. More of our impressions from that tournament you can get them signing up to our Eurohopes Premium Service.

 

Dusan Ristic ('95), from Red Star, was selected the MVP of the event.  

Nikola Rebic: Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, 6'2'', 1995, PG

17-years old Rebic, at the pic, was not the most talented playmaker of whole Nike International Junior Tournament, but fairly deserved spot in All-Tournament Team nonetheless. Should be noticed that since previous year Serb made big physical progress, growing up at least 10 centimeters and filled out his promising frame. Being only average athlete Rebic has got a big room to improve, taking into account his pure foot-work and way how he runs the court. Listed at 6'2'' possesses adequate size to play on the highest European level, but worth to admit that he is still very young. He impresses with his natural flow, fluidly moves and big intensity. Despite playing 5 games in only 3-days period it was impossible to catch a glimpse of tiredness in his court’s attitude. At this moment Rebic is not too efficient shooter and during all NIJT had only one game (in semifinals) when was really dangerous beyond the arc. From the other hand, 17-years old Serbian used to shooting from distance mostly in clutch time from really tough positions. His technique is rather bookish and release really fast, so it leads to conclusion that his pure work ethic will allow him to improve this aspect of game. In spite of all, Rebic showed also nice shoot repertoire in perimeter, finishing occasionally with fade-away shoots and pull-up jumpers, generally off the dribble. 

Rebic undeniably was top point guard of NIJT in Belgrade, however was not outstanding one. At first glance, his game on offensive end does not look impressive, but Serb is really smart, calm and thoughtful, being at the same not too creative. Is really dangerous specially in open court and worked great in up-tempo basketball preferred by Crvena Zvezda. His playmaker skills are really brilliant. Rebic handles ball well, has got excellent court-vision, is not dribbling without goal, does not dribble in one place without any movement, always passes ball to teammates on free positions. Knows how to use screens, but lack of quick first step and explosiveness does not allow him to attack basket hardly on ball. Nonetheless, he reads game well and uses gaps or mistakes in defense really good. Defensively possesses only average lateral speed and does not impress with aggressiveness, but can play for a really long time on high intensity. Keep in mind that Rebic was one year younger than rivals, but did not stood up his physical tools. His size, cold-head, natural feel to the game and ability to finish in clutch-moments, suggest that Rebic has got "papers" to play professionally in future.

 

Nikola Radicevic: Partizan Belgrade, 6'5'', 1994, SG/PG

Rather skinny, but really long Radicevic possesses not only great size (6'5'') for shooting guard position, even on the highest level and in addition presented himself as a more than average athlete. Partizan’s main option in offense, impresses mainly with his pure foot-work, putting very long steps attacking the basket. Shoot is not the biggest strengths of his game, but seems that Radicevic is aware that it is not his strong point, as evidenced by only 9 threes made (2/9) throughout the whole tournament. Left-handed Serb is slightly streaky on perimeter, shooting mainly in tough position off the dribble. Being regular scorer, Radicevic feels the best in ball in his hands, but it does not mean that he was used a as point guard, despite really good ball-handling. He generally start his actions on offensive end after receiving ball in front of the basket beyond the arc, where frontcourt players run to him to put screen. No doubt that Radicevic was the most dangerous player with ball in hands of all NIJT. He possesses excellent ball-handling, but his biggest strengths are: natural feel to the game, great crossover, ability to changing directions really fast, ability to attack basket really aggressive. In connection with high creativeness in finishing above the rim, he was just unstoppable, showing all possible ways to create free space on dribble. Should be noticed that Radicevic has to work on his consistency, because showed his outstanding abilities generally in fourth quarter against INSEP and delicious first half of big final with Crvena Zvezda. Worth to admit that he possesses rare ability of drawing fouls, to find himself on free throw line, what he did average 5 times per game.

In spite off all, Radicevic is still one-sided player, who struggles with his right hand and penetrate only on left, what will be just impossible to do in professional basket, where other teams will find way how to stop him thanks to bigger role of scouting. Seems that Radicevic is trying to put new skills to his offensive repertoire like for example post-up moves against smaller defenders on low-post, however he was not too efficient in actions of this type. There is long way ahead him to improve shoot, especially selection, but his technique (as many lefty guards) stands out of norm and in addition is not too mechanically. That leads to conclusion that despite adequate size Radicevic will be transformed into point guard. Defensively, he did not show anything impressive, but should be noticed that Radicevic sometimes forgets to be aggressive in defense on ball as well as seems to saves energy expense of defense. Nonetheless, there is a really big room ahead him to improve in this aspect of game, taking into account his explosiveness, pure foot-work, length, active hands and nice frame, which has to get filled out soon. No doubt that Radicevic is one of the most talented guards in European 1994 generation in terms of offensive. His ability to drive the basket easily is really unique, but lack of consistent shoot and weak right hand make him limited one, what only will be more apparent in future. Important test for him will be undeniably this summer’s U18 European Championship and after this tournament we will be able to predict his future better.

 

Brano Djukanovic: Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, 6'4'', 1995, SG/SF

17-years old Djukanovic looks still immature and non-developed into man yet, what allow to assume that he will even grow up couple of centimeters. Right now possesses enough size to play on shooting guard position, nonetheless. Now it is time for him to strengthen, because right now Djukanovic is really skinny and even his excellent foot-work and quick first step, do not allow him to beat off the dribble opponent or finish on contact in traffic under the basket. Must be admitted that Serb finished NIJT with 50% from beyond the arc as the most efficient shooter of all tournament. Nothing surprisingly, taking into account his bookish technique, quick release and ability to play without ball. But what the most distinguish him from other shooters is his excellent foot-work. Djukanovic always sets up his legs perfectly coming off the screens and in addition is always ready to make deep three waiting for a ball in corner. From stable position is almost unfailing, what he showed in 3-points shootout contest, hitting first 11 shoots in a row.

Used generally as a shooter, Djukanovic has confirmed that is not one-sided on offensive end, showing versatile repertoire in offense with big room to improve. Possesses really good ball-handling and is dangerous, especially in open court, because of his ability to changing directions of dribbling very fast and athletic skills, which allows him to finish above the rim on many ways. From the other hands, skinny and not too explosiveness Djukanovic showed some limitations in one-on-one game. Reading game well and thanks to his length can attack the basket, but still is not capable of finishing on contact. However,  makes it up with natural creativeness, creating space for teammates on dribble. Worth to admit that he avoids pointless dribbling and presents natural feel to the games as well as knowledge of fundamentals. Defensively, he impresses with good lateral speed and aggressiveness. Was really efficient specially in pressing or zone-press, forcing many turnovers thanks to foregoing skills. In spite off all, it is necessary to him to put muscles, mainly in upper-body to became able to box out stronger or higher opponents. Must be admitted that Djukanovic was one of the most stunning players of all tournaments thanks to his ability to finish in clutch moments, while being at the same time really cold-blooded. His biggest strength, shoot, is half of talent and half of hard work. Definitely worth to follow him, but seems that there he should develop into more versatile off the dribble combo guard.

 

Nikola Majic: Partizan Belgrade, 6'7'', 1994, PF/C

Being not too conspicuous on the court, Majic finished tournament as a one of the most productive players of all NIJT. Listed at 6'7'' Majic is somehow unsuited for a center position, where he mainly played. However, he makes up lack of centimeters with excellent body-building, being one of the strongest player in Belgrade, putting his heart into game always. Compared to other frontcourt players, stands out with mobility, body coordination and solid foot-work. His shoot leaves much to be desired, but looking at his technique and release seems that will be very difficult for him to fix it. He very often comes off to midrange to take his advantages against higher and less mobile centers. Despite fact that his technique differs from the standards, he decides for a midrange jumpers very often, presented himself as a streaky shooter as well from perimeter as from distance. Must improve not only his selection, but became more consistent in this aspect of game. Majic showed ability to play on a big intensity, running court well and being really active on offensive end. He puts strong screens, which are really helpful for his teammates. In spite of all, he seems to be somehow row offensively, however thanks to his bulk can set really good on high-post or even on low-post, where is really strong and difficult to stop playing back to the basket. Because of not excellent size for a big man, he is forced to go out farther from the basket. From time to time tries to attack the basket on dribble, but to be honest Majic is limited in this kind of actions. There is a long way ahead him to improve his ball-handling, but it seems to be inevitable. He reads the game well and moves a lot, so is really efficient in drive and dish actions started by his teammates.

On defensive end, Majic is great fighter, who plays on high intensity and always crashes the glass, what make his one of the best rebounder of tournament, what he has just confirmed with nice double-doubles, like one in big final: 19 points and 16 rebounds. Always remembers to muscle out and box out his opponent from under the bucket, but also is really active and aggressive on offensive end, where is though to box him out. Seems that Majic should develop into undersized power forward, but musts work on his ball-handling, pull-up shoot and add more consistent 3-pointer, what will come for sure with better selection. Being somehow undersized for a frontcourt position, at this level he is sometimes just unstoppable crashing the glass. Can turn into solid role-player, but needs to be more focused on defensive, deciding less for finish on offensive end, especially from tough situations. Possesses really rare ability to behave very well in painted area, from which he uses even being smaller than most of his opponents. In addition his frame is really promising, and filling it out more, will be ready to play on professional level.

 

Nikola Milutinov: Hemofarm Vrsac, 6'11'', 1994, PF/C

Being still underrated and underestimated, but really promising Milutinov confirmed during NIJT that in couple of next year can develop into top frontcourt player of European 1994 generation. He possesses adequate physical tools to play on the highest level. Listed at 6'11'' Serb impresses with his long arms, pure foot-work and mobility. But his length makes him so special, because Miltunov has got outstanding wingspan. In addition his awareness how to use his physical tools and mentality are without reservations. He showed nice jumper from midrange, being really efficient in catch and shot situations, but must be admitted that his release is rather slow, what makes that he is not always able to use this aspect of game. His shooting touch is very soft and long arms allow him to shoot even over the opponents, but needs to improve legs’ set. At this stage of career Milutinov seems to be somehow limited offensively, but showed ability to score on many ways nonetheless. He avoids playing back to the basket due to lack of bulk, what does not allow him to get suitable position on low-post. In addition his post up movies are raw a bit. For Milutinov it is really difficult to lose his defender even using many fakes, because of lack of explosiveness. From other hand Serb, who is really active and runs the floor well, always keeps his hands ready to get pass. Being not too creative, Milutinov scores mainly after "drive and dish" actions, when is open in painted area. Worth to admit that 18-years old center presents as a really aggressive one, who always tries to clash the glass, scoring really often after offensive rebounds. Thanks to his length, Milutinov puts useful screens, but needs to be more aggressive rolling towards the basket.

No doubt that on defensive end, Hemofarm center is true game-changer. His appearance in painted area does not allow opponents to score with easy lay-ups, because Miltunov reads the game well and always attack the ball, avoiding fouls however. He showed his defensive potential the best against INSEP, stopping Mam Jaiteh (’94) on only 9 points on 3/11 FG. Being skinny and easy to muscle out, Milutinov is still dangerous because of his long arms. Worth to admit that he shows brilliant habit to always boxes out his opponents before clashing the glass, what makes him more efficient in rebounding. Miltunov made big progress through last two years, however seems that he still did not reach limit of his abilities. Adequate size, amazing wingspan, good mentality as well as mobility force to consider him as a candidate to play on high level soon. However, Serb undeniably has to improve his body building and also midrange shoot. Right now due to lack of bulk is not ready to compete with seniors, where would be muscled out easily from painted area.

 

Twitter of the author: @rafjuc

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Vaclav Mudra (Nikola Rebic, from Red Star)