By Rafal Juc

 

2012 Nordic Cup finished with completely Finish domination. Both teams in U16 and U18 category won final games in outstanding style, while Henri Niemisto (’96) and Julius Rajala (’94) were named MVPs of their generations. If you want to read more reports around other players of the event of Solna do not hesitate to become a Eurohopes Premium subscriber. 

Henri Niemisto: 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists

Listed at around 6-5 with really bulky frame Niemisto possesses ideal physical attributes to dominate game at U16 level. Looking at him by European standards he is impressively athletic due to nice filled-out frame (especially upper-body) and pure footwork. Despite his size, Niemisto showed ability to handle ball well, being capable of getting low with his dribble. Over Nordic Cup he was used as small forward and it seems his target position for future.

Niemisto finished tournament with average of two 3-pointers per game with really solid 33.3% efficient rate, especially taking into account that 6,75 line for less than 16-years old kids is far from the basket. However, there is a lot of room ahead him to work on his shooting touch. Finnish forward’s shoot is somehow raw, while Niemisto’s releases extremely quick, but he does not bend wrist to the end. Nonetheless thanks to bulky frame and strong legs he pulls up quite fast and is able to knock down deep shoot even over hands-up of guard. As we saw on advanced statistics, in his shooting touch is troubling dependence - Niemisto is much more effective on the right side of halfcourt. In 5 games he was only 27.3% for 3 and just 25% from perimeter on left side, while from right had 57.1% from distance and 42.9% on midrange.

Struggling in catch and shoot situations Niemisto on offensive end prefers to attack the basket. Thanks to his impressive size, bulky frame, nice footwork and good ball-handling after receiving ball he immediately drives into the basket, using really long steps. With all that said, it is nothing surprisingly that Finn is impressing above the rim, finishing almost 80% of his 2-points attempts from the paint. What strikes the eyes is his rare ability to finding gaps in defense and finishing on the contact, however he avoids to finish with his weak, left hand. In addition Niemisto gets to the free throw line at brilliant rate (six free throws per game). However, one of his weaknesses is facts that over Nordic Cup Finn did not score too many easy baskets, not running extremely fast to transition.

On defensive end Finn is just average. Does not show instinct to steal the ball and is not crashing the glass aggressively, what is really disturbing, especially looking at size and strength advantage, which he has over opponents. Niemisto undeniably needs to put up much effort in 1-on-1 defense. With all that said, we have to admit that he still is really tough defender to beat off dribble. Thanks to his size, wingspan, body-coordination, mobility, pure footwork and understanding the game, Niemisto in this aspect of game has got plenty of room to improve.

Looking at Niemisto generally at this stage of development without no doubt he is dominant player, who can be game-changer. Honestly his game is based mainly on aggressive drives into the basket and spot-up 3-pointers. Being not too versatile, but quite athletic and bulky, Finn is undeniably player to follow. Wondering how much he will be able to improve his game, however Niemisto seems to be early-developed kid.

 

Julius Rajala: 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Without no experience at international level Julius Rajala used this year’s Nordic Cup as showcase to present skills to group of agents as well as scouts from across the Europe. 6-8 power forward finished tournament not only as the most productive U18 player, but also as Most Valuable Player. What does make him so special?

Standing between 6-8 and 6-9 Rajala impressed with body-coordination, mobility, versatility, soft hands, nice court-vision and ability to take advantage of better setting in paint. Nonetheless he possesses very thin and narrow body-frame. However he makes it up with smartness, pure footwork and explosiveness. Used mainly as power-forward Rajala is terrific mismatch on wing, what made him just unstoppable for all types of defenders over Nordic Cup.

One of the biggest weaknesses in Rajala’s game is fact that during Nordic Cup he avoided shots from distance. However, it is really hard to tell something about his shooting touch, because Finn in 5 games attempted only two 3-pointers and four midrange shoots. From the other hand, Rajala who possesses really soft hands, during warming-up before games was able to knock down some deep shoots.

Despite lack of bulk Finn is capable of posting-up well on low-post, however he likes coming out on midrange. It makes him terrific mismatch on power-forward position. Rajala impresses with ability to play without ball, being really mobile on offensive end. Most of his points Rajala scored after posting-up on low-post. Nonetheless he does not finish with typical post-up moves. Finn prefers to face-up and attack the basket on dribble to the baseline, where he takes advantage of his explosiveness and pure footwork. Thanks to jumping abilities and nice wingspan, Rajala is also capable of pull-up immediately and finish with hooks and floaters with either hands. To be honest, Rajala spends most of time on offensive being face-up, beating off the dribble his opponents. However, his biggest strengths is fact that Finn always aggressively crashes the glass (4.4 offensive rebounds per game) and scores many second-chance points.

On defensive end Rajala due to lack of bulk is not too tough to push out from paint, but he makes it up with smartness, explosive footwork and nice wingspan. He shows brilliant timing and always tries block the shoot, what forces opponents to shooting from distance instead of driving into the basket. In addition Finn presents excellent mechanisms in team-defense, reading the game well and helping often from weak-side.

Over the Nordic Cup Rajala was undeniably one of the hottest name. He showed versatile offensive skills inside the paint and suitable size to play professionally. However, only jumping abilities and footwork will not allow him to make successful career on higher level of basketball. First of all he musts fill-out his frame, add muscles to upper-body and improve shooting touch. At this moment he is stuck between small and power forward position, especially defensively. However thanks to smartness, nice posting-up, big wingspan, jumping abilities and scoring instinct inside the paint he could develop his game on higher level as terrific mismatch on wing. Although, he needs to add to his offensive repertoire ability to create his own shoot, because at senior level will be forced to coming outside the paint more often. 

 

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Twitter of the author: @rafjuc