By Alen Obrez
Slovenian basketball league started last weekend. There were again several interesting young players in action, playing for 12 different clubs, if we don't count two biggest Slovenian clubs, Krka and Olimpija, who will join in the second round. As there are really a lot of interesting players, I decided to quickly present you top 10 prospects, for which I think will have the best season among others.
Point guard
Jan Span (189, 1992, Geoplin Slovan) – He is an intelligent point guard, who also have some experience in Euroleague and Adriatic league. Quite fast, reliable on ball, and with nice shooting ability. He is great in transition game, and a hard worker in defense.
Matic Rebec (178, 1994, Helios Domzale) – Really great on ball - there is no such thing he can't do with it. Matic possesses a nice basketball IQ, so he is really great assistant. Due to his quickness and aggressiveness, he is good in transition game, and also even better in defensive roles. But he has one big weakness – height.
Domen Bratoz (186, 1993, Geoplin Slovan) - MVP of last year Slovenian U20 final four. Domen is surely one of the most athletic players in Slovenia. Reliable, quite good on ball. He is very tough to defend. His game play is the ideal for teams with fast tempo and transition game.
Shooting guard
Miha Lapornik (192, 1993, Zlatorog Lasko) – Born killer. He possesses amazing three point ability, some say even better as the one Klemen Prepeliè has. Miha is quick, good in defensive roles, who is also great on ball. He could equally play on point guard position. Could be one of the main attacking roles for Zlatorog this season. Next year he will surely be a leader in Slovenian U20 NT.
Miha Vasl (192, 1992, Hopsi Polzela) – Surely one of the best defenders in the league. Amazing athlete, whose aggressiveness is really unbelievable. He can play as point guard, shooting guard and small forward. Last year he was first attacking option for Hopsi Polzela, so there is not option this could change this season. He will probably have the best stats among prospects in Slovenian league.
Small forward
Jaka Brodnik (202, 1992, Zlatorog Lasko) – He is probably the most experienced player among youngsters in the league. This will be his fourth season in first league, last year he also played in Adriatic league. He is fast, athletic and has nice shooting ability. His main weapon is 3 point shooting, he is also quite good in defensive roles. Jaka is also a very versatile player, so he can easily play on shooting guard and power forward position.
Power forward
Gezim Morina (204, 1992, Helios Domzale) – Gezim showed great potential on this year Eurobasket for young men, which was held in Slovenia. He is a strong guy, ideal for defensive roles, who also has an excellent shooting ability. His close- and mid-range shots are his main weapons.
Jure Besedic (205, 1992, Helios Domzale) – Quite a versatile player, who can also play on small forward position. Jure possesses a great shooting ability – even for three points. A bit soft in defense, but he will definitely overcome this weakness during the trainings under the supervision of Zmago Sagadin.
Center
Ziga Dimec (208, 1993, Zlatorog Lasko) – He is really a strong center, who showed couple of great performances last year in Adriatic league. Ziga possesses a great close- and mid-range shooting ability and also has nice positioning ability. His strength is also his great shoot selection, so he does not have a lot of turnovers.
Ziga Fifolt (210, 1993, Grosuplje) – Fast, athletic, aggressive - three words that describe him at most. ®iga has a very good shooting ability, even beyond three point line. Nice rebounder and blocker, who can also easily play on power forward position.
Twitter of the author: @AlenObrez)
Photo: FIBA Europe / Martins Silis
