By Rafal Juc

 

Last week in modern Farum Arena in Copenhagen was held 5th edition of international tournament "Copenhagen Invitational". Eurohopes staff was there to keep you updated on best prospects from 1997 generation. Approved by FIBA Europe and held in tremendous Farum Arena this year’s edition of "Copenhagen Invitational" was specially interesting in U15 age category. It was an occasion to take a closer look not only on Scandinavian teams (Denmark, Iceland, Norway), but also Holland, Berlin, England, Poland and even Kosovo. Let’s check what happened in Copenhagen.

Undeniably the most exciting and entertaining game in U15 category was a big final between undefeated national teams of Denmark and Iceland. Taking advantage of size, hosts led for most of time, however stricky shooter Kari Jonsson (’97) drove Icelander to crazy pursuit. Finally thanks to 17 points of Jacob Larsen (’97) Denmark won 69:65, while best scorer with 27 points was Jonsson. In bronze medal game Polish U15 NT after incredible second half crashed Berlin 92:50. With 18 points the best on court was Marcel Ponitka (’97).

"Copenhagen Invitational" was a great opportunity to check out younger brothers of Rasmus Larsen (’94) and Mateusz Ponitka (’93), who are top prospects of young European prospects and both could be likely selected in 2013 NBA Draft. Big chances to follow their footsteps show 15-years old Jacob Larsen and Marcel Ponitka, while either where the most perspective 1997-born prospects at “Copenhagen Invitational”.

 

All Tournament 1997 Team

-Michal Kapa (Poland)

Listed at 6-1 Kapa was undeniably the best 6th man of all Copenhagen Invitational, showing natural-born strength, toughness and calmness. Lacking brilliant explosiveness or athleticism, Kapa makes it up with smartness and versatile offensive package, displays ability to score on many ways. At so young age he impresses with well polished shoot and deep range as well as smooth moves in 1-on-1 actions on dribble.

-Kari Jonsson (Iceland)

Stricky, but also efficient Jonsson was the best scorer of Copenhagen Invitational in U15 category, leading Iceland to final. Standing at 6-1 he impresses with excellent shooting touch and deep range. He seems to be a clutch player with toughness mentality, being more efficient from tough situation than in open shoots. Jonsson is polished and smooth combo guard, however he does not show too much room to improve.

-Marvin Omovwie (Berlin)

Without no doubt strong, mature and extremely athletic was one of the most versatile players in Copenhagen, while Omovwie was able to play on shooting guard, small forward as well as power forward positions. With 6-3 and well filled-out frame German impresses with explosiveness, agility and athleticism. He scored most of his actions after 1-on-1 actions, beating off the dribble easily his opponents and taking advantage of his amazing wingspan, while finishing above the rim. However, Omovwie needs to improve his shoot.

-Dembele Tage (Denmark)

Athletic Tage was terrific mismatch on wing, taking easily advantage of explosiveness and athleticism. Listed at 6-6 with well filled-out frame he shows soft hands, moving the court extremely well. He scored most of his points inside the paint, crashing the glass aggressively. If he will continue growing and improve offensive package outside the paint, Tage should develop into intriguing power forward.

-Jacob Glarbjerg Rasmus (Denmark)

Jacob, brother of Ramus, who is top European prospect impresses with 6-8 body, especially that he seems to be late-develop kid, what leads to conclusion that Larsen will not only grow up, but also fill out promising frame. He showed rare ability at so young age to posting up well on low-post, playing really well back to the basket. Being somehow limited athletically Larsen is really mobile big man, who runs the court quite well. He crashes the glass strongly and is really efficient in duo actions, rolling into the basket correctly.

 

Honorable mentions

-Marcel Ponitka (Poland)

15-years old brother of Mateusz Ponitka, was undeniably leader of Polish U15 National Team, showing natural-born feeling to the game and great mentality. With his 6-1 and well filled-out frame Marcel was one of the strongest guards at Copenhagen Invitational, impressing with mental toughness, court vision, high IQ and efficient 3-point shoot. Putting maximum effort in each move on court, Ponitka is amazing decision-maker, choosing well between individual actions and passes to open teammates. He presented himself as mature and experienced guard, being really competitive.

-Kasper Victor Christiansen (Denmark)

Being in shadow of Rasmus and Tage, Christiansen was another perspective member of Danish talented frontcourt. With 6-8 size Christiansen is not typical big man, because he prefers to spent most of time outside the paint. In addition he is great role-player, doing all kind of “donkey work”. Thanks to his soft hands and amazing shooting touch Christiansen possesses deep range, being efficient especially in catch and up situations. At this moment Dutch is probably more worthy on defensive end, where he can face all type of frontcourt players as well as small forwards outside the paint. With his more than average wingspan and agility Christiansen is not only great rebounder, but possesses also instinct to blocks shoots.

-Kristinn Palsson (Iceland)

Listed at 6-4 with skinny frame Palsson was one of the best forwards at Copenhagen Invitational. In small Icelandic teams he used to play even as center, however athletic Palsson impresses with ball-handling and shooting touch. He shows ability to create own shoot on dribble, being also efficient in spot-up. He needs to improve his body and 1-on-1 actions on with the ball in hands.

-Dren Dedushaj (Kosovo)

Extremely raw offensively and somehow limited athletically Dedushaj is really interested not only thanks to his age (’98), but also terrific size, being listed at 6-9. At this moment he is quite skinny as well as shaky, but presented soft hands and nice shooting touch as well as ability to catch the ball correctly.

-Malik Eichler (Berlin)

Well-built and quite athletic Eichler is another big man who showcased his skills over Copenhagen Invitational. Standing between 6-8 and 6-9 Eichler possesses nice frame as well as soft hands. He runs the court well and crashes the glass aggressively. Being really efficient on defensive side, he struggles a bit in offense, especially in decision-making process and against double team defense. However, thanks to his physical tools he seems to be intriguing long-term prospect.

 

Final standings: 1-Denmark, 2-Iceland, 3-Poland, 4-Berlin, 5-Holland, 6-Kosovo, 7-England, 8-Norway East

 

Twitter of the author: @rafjuc

 

Photo: Copenhagen Invtational