By Mark Kongsgaard

 

Some days ago the U20 Division "B" European Championship was held in Sofia (Bulgaria). We can find a lot of countries with good generations, but one that has much potential is the 1993 from Denmark. These players are maybe the best generation we’ve ever seen in this country.

 

Last year Denmark lost to Bulgaria in the U18 EC final in Division "B". After that Esben Reinholt (’93) and Rasmus Larsen (’94) were named to the U18 All-Star game in Kaunas. They played both a good game, and Reinholt had a nice and-one play, finishing with 7 points. He is a very good player, who can play both guard positions, and is a good all-round piece. 6’5” guard already left Denmark when he was 16 to play basketball in Croatia for KK Split. Last season he appeared in 15 games for them in the best league in Croatia.

This year the two big men Kevin Larsen (’93) and Sami Eleraky (’93) will go to college. The athletic 7 foot center Eleraky will play for California Golden Bears (NCAA), wile 6”9’ Larsen will do it for George Washington Colonials (NCAA). Larsen has a good strength, and uses all his 240 pounds in offense and in the rebound game. He earned the MVP trophy at the Capital Classic High School All-Star Game, with 22 points and 9 rebounds in a losing effort.

But there are others. Next year other players can go to NCAA division 1 from high school, like Christian Benzon (’93) -at the pic-, Soren Olsen (’93) and Andreas Bigum (’93). Benzon is the most hyped of those. He’s playing for the D12 Warriors, and for The Rock School HS. He is an athletic 6”4’ combo guard, and he moves on the floor very well, both with and without the ball. He is one of the best guards playing in Florida. This year he was on the Independent All-State first team. His coach in high school said that his potential is great, and he could be one of the best players to come out from The Rock.

Olsen is also playing basketball in Florida (Faith Baptist). He is a 6’2” point guard, with a really good shot, and a good passing ability. In the semifinals in Florida he had 7 three pointers and 46 points. Olsen was also on the Independent All-State, but on the third team. The last from 1993 generation playing high school in USA is 6’9” Andreas Bigum. Last year he played high school basketball for Sunrise Christian Academy, and next year will be at Northern Oklahoma. He says that he became a much better basketball player last year at Sunrise Christian Academy. Now he hopes that he can play for a division 1 college, when he is done with his high school.

 

Twitter of the author: @MKP79

 

Photo: preps.gainsville.com / Erica Brough