By Rafal Juc
The 2012 edition of the Adidas Eurocamp was held last days in Treviso (Italy), with a huge group of prospects competing against the best of their age in Europe. Many NBA scouts followed them during three days of action. Let’s check how did play the youngest ones.
-James Birsen (’95, Fenerbahce): 2.5 points (60% twos, 25% threes, 50% free throws), 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 steals for 2.0 valoration in 20 minutes.
Only 17-years old Birsen, who was the youngest one in Treviso and honestly did not show anything spectacular over Adidas Eurocamp, being dominated by more physical and experienced opponents. He struggled driving into the basket, finishing above the rim and creating his own shoot, however many NBA scouts did pay an attention on him. Despite fact that Turkish talent confirmed his clear-cut strengths and weaknesses, he could develop into Danilo Gallinari-type player. He impresses with terrific size (6-8) for SG/SF player, who despite young age is able to do almost everything on offensive end.
With his solid - as for 17-yeards old player - frame it was insufficient for Birsen to beat of dribble stronger opponents and finish above the rim on contact, especially that Turkish swingman does not display mental toughness and incredible explosiveness. However, he presented himself as versatile and well-polished “point forward”-type player with smooth shoot and really deep range. Now he needs to work on his body, mentality and drives into the basket as well as behavior on defensive end. There is no doubt that Birsen in couple of years could become MVP of Treviso’s events, especially taking into account that in this year’s edition he was competing against mainly 5-years older opponents.
-Nikola Ivanovic (’94, Buducnost): 6.8 points (53% twos, 25% threes, 83% free throws), 2.3 assists and 2 steals for 5 valoration in 25 minutes.
With his brilliant upper-body, ability to create space on pick&rolls and efficient midrange shoot of dribble, only 18-years old Ivanovic was one of the biggest sensations of Adidas Eurocamp as well as top point guard in Treviso. Really mature and experienced playmaker from Montenegro presented himself as tough, calm and quite efficient player with almost polished offensive package to play at the highest senior level at this moment.
Being not terrific decision maker in transition, Ivanovic is really worth in duo actions, being extremely efficient in pick&rolls, choosing well between pass to rolling center and knock down midrange jumper off the dribble in mismatch. He is particularly confident and reliable with ball in his hands thanks to his excellent ball-handling and ability of changing the speed and directions quickly.
Officially listed at 6-1, Ivanovic could be even higher, but he still does not displays lengths or athleticism to play NBA in future. Another worrying fact about Montenegrin except his only average size, is his inconsistent shoot and non-bookish shooting touch. His release point is quite low, while he does not use arms to the end, basing all release on wrist, what makes him really poor outside the 3-point line at this moment.
-Artem Klimenko (’94, Autodor): 4.6 points (61% twos, 50% free throws), 4.4 rebounds for 6.6 valoration in 17 minutes.
Coming from successful season in third Russian division Klimenko without any international experience, was one of the biggest surprise of Adidas Eurocamp nonetheless, especially that he is only 1994-born. Quite athletic 7-footer was named Most Valuable Defensive Player, what caused that some NBA scouts paid an attention on him.
Combination of size and length make Klimenko major impact on defensive end, especially that he impresses with pure footwork, good lateral speed and quite fast arms. What is more only 17-years old center has broad shoulders and for sure will fill out his promising frame. With all that said, he still needs to work on his offensive package, where is somehow raw and limited. He struggled in posting-up on low post against stronger opponents and due to lack of explosiveness was unable to beat them with some fakes or dribbles. However he rolls aggressively after pick&rolls and in addition crashes the glass well. Continuing improving his skills at both senior and junior level, Klimenko should became NBA-type prospect in 2-3 years.
-Dani Diez (’93, Real Madrid) -at the pic-: 9.5 points (60% twos, 60% threes, 71% free throws), 3.3 rebounds for 10.5 valoration in 24 minutes.
Honesty nobody expected so good performances of Diez before Adidas Eurocamp, especially that he was coming from season, where he saw only couple of minutes at the highest senior level with Real, playing mainly in EBA league. However, Diez developed from undersized power forward into small forward.
Stading 6-8 with shoes on, Diez showed mainly excellent basketball IQ and versatile offensive package, being able to finish on many ways. Spanish forward was almost perfect committing always the right decision both in fast-breaks and half-court. He impresses with his well filled-out frame, mobility, maturity and athleticism. What is more - Diez could be major impact on both ends, putting always tremendous effort, what caused that he was tough to beat off dribble even for smaller point guards.
Diez should now start work on his shooting touch, especially off the dribble, because over Adidas Eurocamp was knocking down usually spot-up from the corner. He has got also some room to improve in case of ball-handling, where Diez needs to work on his weak hand, body balance, ability to get low with dribble and creativeness. Undeniably candidate to play at Euroleage level in couple of years.
-Devon Van Oostrum (’93, Caja Laboral): 3.7 points (25% twos, 20% threes, 14 free throws), 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals for -3 valoration in 22 minutes.
Van Oostrum was undeniably the one, who played under the expectations. British prospects was unable to find his rhythm and feeling to the game, turning the ball quite often and struggling in decision process. In addition, over 3 days in Treviso he was really poor shooter, mainly off the dribble, finishing with only 25% for 2 and 30% for 3.
Nonetheless Van Oostrum is still really intriguing and long-term prospects thanks to his suitable size for point guard position as well as outstanding athleticism and explosiveness. He showed also nice court-vision, making a lot of unconventional passes behind the back or bounce. Really efficient in transition game, 18-years old point guard needs to work on his screen game to be able to take more advantage of pick&roll play, which nowadays is main option on offensive end at senior level.
-Bogdan Radosavljevic (’93, Bayer Munich): 3.8 points (44% twos, 50% free throws), 3.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists for a 2.0 valoration in 20 minutes.
We are a bit worry, because to be honest Radosavljevic did not make any progress since last year, looking now a bit overweight at the same. Nonetheless he still impresses with soft hands, ability to knock down midrange jumper and nice post-up game with his 6-11 body. German center knows how to take advantage of his bulkiness, being able to dominate the paint defensively.
On offensive end Radosavljevic impresses putting really tough screens and rolling then quite aggressive. At the same he is really versatile, because 18-yeards old prospects is not only posting up well on low-post, but also displays ability to create his own shoot or place with dribble. At this stage of development, he needs to gain more experience at senior level, but first of all has to strengthen his upper-body and lost couple of kilos.
-Jaime Fernandez (’93, Estudiantes): 3.5 points (57% twos, 17% threes, 75% free throws), 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals for 4.0 valoration in 21 minutes.
Another Spanish young prospect at Adidas Eurocamp was less colorful than Diez, especially due to only average 6-2 size and quite thin frame. Nonetheless he showed his offensive talent, ability to create own shot and pure shooting touch, even if was not too efficient beyond the arc. Playing last summer with Spanish U18 National Team mainly as typical shooter, who runs out off screen, Fernandez showed in Treviso nice ball-handling, creativeness and court-vision, while was running the game sometimes as point guard.
It seems that due to lack of bulk and only average size Fernandez will be forced to developed into handling the ball combo-guard. After what he showed in Treviso, it should not be a difficult for him. Nonetheless, still his main weapon on offensive end is consistent and elegent shoot, especially in spot-up situation. Fernandez was also really willing to play one-on-one actions on ball, where thanks to his explosiveness and smartness was able to beat off dribble most of his opponents, however was struggling with finishing above the rim due to skinny frame.
-Mateusz Ponitka (’93, Prokom): 4 points (50% twos, 100% free throws), 1.3 rebounds and 1 steals for 3.0 valoration in 15 minutes.
Considering as top prospect of 1993 European generation, Ponitka was expected to be more dominant at Adidas Eurocamp, but worth to admit that he finished season 2011/12 only couple days before and was undeniably out of rhythm. Polish guard still is struggling with his 3-point shoot, what is his biggest weakness, but this time showed really nice shooting mechanics (what confirms with 100% from the line).
In first two days Ponitka was too passive on offensive end, deciding more often to shoot even being in tough decision instead of attacking the basket, what was strange, having in memory fact that athletic Ponitka is impressing slasher and competitive finisher above the rim. Fortunately he showed his best skills in last game of the event. From the other hand, polish talent showed good aggressiveness on defensive end, where was able to stay in front of more athletic black player, what usually is the biggest problem for European guards. Season 2012/13 should be breakthrough for 19-yeards old Ponitka, especially that he will play with Asseco Prokom in Euroleague, what will help to increase his NBA stock.
-Michal Michalak (’93, LKS Lodz): 2.7 points (33% twos, 100% threes), 1.3 rebounds and 1 steal for 1.0 valoration in 12 minutes.
This years Adidas Eurocamp was undeniably not the best for Michalak, who was coming after breakthrough season and participation in Nike Hoop Summit. Unfortunately for him, Michalak was a victim of event’s formula, where everyone fights to increase his stock and plays individual. For this kind of players like Michalak Adidas Eurocamp is not the best way to showcase his skills.
Although Polish shooter confirmed his pure and well-polished shooting touch in drills and work-outs, but was just unable to show his skills during games. Michalak is a player, who needs a help of team in creating the space and who is the most efficient using the screens. However, in Treviso he had ball in hands really rare and being frustrated a bit was forced to commit wrong decision often. It does not change the fact that Michalak is still improving the game and playing as shooting guard listed at 6-6 possesses suitable size to play even at the highest European level soon.
-Nenad Miljenovic (’93, Mega Vizura): 3 points (33% twos), 3.5 rebounds and 2 steals for 3.5 valoration in 19 minutes.
Serbian playmaker was unfortunately another struggling youngster in Treviso. Due to average frame and limited athleticism, Miljenovic was unable to beat off dribble his opponent in most of situations, being quite one-sided on offensive end. There is no doubt that Serb is talented guard with amazing basketball IQ and court vision as well as brilliant ball-handling. However, playing against higher, stronger and more experienced guards Miljenovic showed that needs to strengthen his body thinking about put his skills up to higher level.
From the other hand, Miljenovic was really impressing on defensive end, where was putting pressure on the ball all the time and stealing it quite often. To become successful player at senior level he needs to be more aggressive attacking the basket and improve his midrange shoot to more consistent.
Twitter of the author: @rafjuc
Photo: Adidas (Dani Diez)
