By Martí Artigas
I spent three days in Mannheim (Germany) for the U18 Albert Schweitzer tournament. Were the last three of the event, watching the decisive contests and leaving back home once the final between Serbia and Spain finished. As every two years in this edition I could see a good group of intriguing prospects, some of them top level in the future like chinese youngster Zhou Qi ('96). But from our point of view (the European one) is mandatory announce our All-Tournament Team of the event. Like 7'0'' center Qi, other non-european players shined, like australian point guard Emmett Naar ('94), but we focused in our continent. Spain won, Serbia was second and Turkey third. Find attached our best team.
-Nikola Radicevic ('94, Serbia): The lefty guard of Partizan made a step forward in this tournament. He averaged 16.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists, being the motor of serbians, leading them to the final. Was very strange see him taking wrong decisions. Very effective driving his team, but sometimes playing at the SG with Nikola Rebic ('95) at the PG. Has matured, and has grown (around 6'5''). He didn't shot well from the distance (23%), one of his weaknesses since we saw him for first time.
-Mikhail Kulagin ('94, Russia): Third best scorer, sending great details of his talent. Russians ended sixth, with Triumph 6'2'' shooting-guard as their main wheapon. He also did a gread job rebounding at both sides. One of the smartest prospects in the event, capable to score from the distance and finish lay-ups in many different ways. He averaged 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He is not selfish. Maybe sometimes should play as the leader instead looking for the assist as main option. Great shooter after dribbling.
-Paul Zipser ('94, Germany): He was playing a few kilometers from his house (Heidelberg), where he is shining really well in ProA. Germany made it to the semifinals behind the performances of this small-forward, who does many things well. Scores, defends with intensity, puts blocks, helps in the rebound,... Really complete. In the Albert Schweitzer tournament he averaged 14.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He has grown and is now listed at 6'7''. He is ready to play further up.
-Willy Hernangómez ('94, Spain): Last two years he has made huge steps forward and actually is one of the best inside players of his age in Europe. With a great footwork, and after adding some muscles, he can fight against bigger players. He can be an important piece of Real Madrid future. He is 6'9'' and plays very smart. Has a good basketball IQ even he started to play late. He and his teammates won the title and he led the group, averaging 13.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
-Dusan Ristic ('95, Serbia): He is still 16 years old, but the 6'11'' serbian has improved a lot -specially in his physical skills-, becoming important in the final second position of Serbia. Red Star prospect won the battle against spaniard Ilimane Diop, even he couldn't help his team to take the title. In the event he averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in only 19 minutes. His most dangerous weapon, a right hook impossible to contest. Great upside. If he continues his progression will become one of the main players in Europe in the future.
Honorable mention:
-Cedi Osman ('95, Turkey)
-Burakcan Yildizli ('94, Turkey)
-Nikola Milutinov ('94, Serbia)
-Yaniv Solomon ('94, Israel)
-Gavin Schilling ('95, Germany)
-Juan Sebastian Saiz ('94, Spain)
For further details and stats go here.
Twitter of the author: @marti_artigas
Photo: DBB
