By Rafal Juc
While level of European teams at U17 World Championship is a bit disappointing, Czech Republic despite 1-2 record after three days of competition is the team, which fascinate the most, when it comes to talent and perspective. Czechs, which balanced in most of previous European events on the border of Division A and Division B are undeniably lucky to have so gifted generation as 1995, currently is facing with high expectations at World Championship u17. It is nothing surprisingly, especially taking into account fact, that Czech Republic was a runner-up at last summer’s European Championship, losing in big final in homeland to indescribable Croatia with unstoppable Mario Hezonja in main role.
Nonetheless, it was not last their word, especially that at U16 European Championship Czechs were forced to cope without their superstar and biggest talent in last years in person of Adam Pechacek (’95), at the pic. Gifted forward last year unfortunately missed Czech Republic taking silver medal and in addition had throat surgery. "It was really difficult time for me. I wanted to play, so I am really happy that this summer I can play for me country. I feel hunger for success", tells Pechacek, who after first three days of action in Kaunas is averaging 16.3 points and 5 rebounds, leading his homeland team to 1-2 record.
Coming off the really successful season in Italy with Virtus Bologna, Czech power forward appeared in notes of scouts as a potential NBA-future player. 6-9 Pechacek led Virtus to Italian championships in both age categories U17 and U19, averaging in this first 18.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in final round. "Everybody wants to go to the NBA. But it’s difficult. I want to play in Europe and then maybe I can play in USA. I need to work on my defense. After two more years in Italy, I will see what I can do", explains 17-years old Czech.
Pechacek impresses with rare combination of size, body-coordination, soft hands, competitiveness and mobility, what make him one of the best frontcourt player in European 1995 generation. Left-handed Czech standing at 6-9 is capable of playing on 3-5 positions, being extremely well scorer outside the paint with deep 3-point range. He runs the court well, feeling great in transition, taking advantage of mobility against higher or stronger opponents. Moreover, Pechacek displays ability to posting-up correctly on low-post, penetrating paint with drop step to line and finishing with left-handed polished hook shoot. Nonetheless, gifted Czech failed his first NBA-test against extremely talented USA team. In 57:95 loss Pechacek finished with 7 points on 2/11 field goals and 8 rebounds. This game showed that 17-years old talent needs to work on his inside the paint defense, strengthen himself and improve 1-on-1 game on ball, while small forward position seems to his likely destination at higher level.
However, Czech "golden" generation is not only Pechacek, while point guard Radovan Kouril (’95) and forward Martin Peterka (’95) are also counted to top-50 players of European 1995 generation. Kouril thanks to his incredible ball-handling, court vision, high basketball IQ and unconventional style of playing is undeniably team’s brain. 5-11 skinny playmaker moved last summer to Spain to play for ACB’s Lucentum Alicante. Being extremely creative Kouril feels great in transition, however he is the most efficient in half-court offense, moving the ball well. Having well-polished 3-point shoot with deep range, the only thing on which he needs work is touch inside the paint. Risky Kouril loves finishing with floaters as well as tear drops, which are non-polished yet, while Czechs struggles to stay stable on contact.
The perfect addition to Pechacek-Kouril duo is team-oriented and efficient Martin Peterka (’95), who coming off the successful last summer’s U16 European Championship, has accepted himself as a role-player at this years Czech Republic team. Being quite mobile, however lacking explosiveness Peterka is face-up power forward with nice shooting touch. He does not impresses at first glance, doing all kind of "donkey work" on both ends, what is not always visible in statistics. Peterka avoids dribbles, presents himself as a spot-up shooter, being the most efficient running off the back and away screens.
Even if Czech Republic will not finished in medal-zone, it would be worth to follow future of foregoing talented trio. Losing to more athletic and stronger American and Australian teams, they are still one of the best and enjoyable European team in 1995 generation. Real test for them will be next summer at U18 European Championship.
Twitter of the author: @rafjuc
Photo: FIBA.COM (Adam Pechacek)
