By Rafal Juc
PRAGUE - Soon after leading the United States to the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championships title with an 82-68 win over Serbia in the Final, Arizona-bound Aaron Gordon ('95) has been voted unanimously as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Joining Gordon on the All-Tournament Team were his USA team-mate Jahlil Okafor ('95), Serbia's Vasilje Micic ('94), Dante Exum ('95) of Australia and Croatia's Dario Saric ('94).
Only 18 years old Jahlil Okafor was undeniably the most talented player in Prague, Czech Republic in eyes of several scouts. ESPN’s No. 1-ranked high school senior posted extraordinary 40.2 PER at FIBA’s U19s, averaging 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in only 14.2 minutes per game. For perspective, LeBron James’ PER was “only” 31.5 this past season (according to @DraftExpress2). Wowed NBA executives with great deal of size, length and strength. Standing at 6-11 with 7-3 wingspan Okafor makes a great use of 270-pound frame, establishing deep post-position and displaying some phenomenal post moves. He’s the most fundamentally sound young big man you will find in the high school ball. Showing terrific feel for the game, soft touch and excellent footwork, Okafor catches everything thrown to him and as a matter of the fact, given the ball on the block is either going to get fouled or to score, shooting 77 percent from the floor over the nine games. He’s been so good that NBA scouts compare him to young Tim Duncan or 6-11 Jared Sullinger.
His USA team-mate Aaron Gordon was not only voted to All-Tournament Team, but MVP as well, as an result of being an essential part of Billy Donova’s game plan. With his relentless energy, hustle and athleticism Gordon was mentioned by coach Donovan as one of the three best pressing players (alongside Marcus Smart and Justice Winslow), not only flying above the rim, but being literally everywhere on the court and executing all the donkey work he’d been ask for. Known as a highlight machine and called “smaller Blake Griffin”, Gordon proved in Prague, Czech Republic that he’s fine basketball player as well, doing a little bit of everything - bringing the ball up the court, crashing the glass aggressively, playing relentless defense and filling the lane in the transition. 6 feet 8 inches tall lacks size and strength for NBA power forward, but should be major impact for Arizona right away.
No one else raised his NBA stock as much as Vasilije Micic from Serbia did. 6 feet 4 inches tall point guard, called “European Jason Kidd” isn’t NBA-specimen athlete, but has an excellent size for the position and a frame that suggests he should improve his already nice filled out upper body. Averaging 12.9 points, 4.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds Micic was undeniably the most productive point guard at FIBA U19s, displaying terrific pick-and-roll execution, broad court-vision and - what’s the most important - held his own and kept his head up against more athletic and extremely aggressive projected NBA first-round picks Marcus Smart and Nigel William-Goss.
After promising performance at the Nike Hoop Summit 2013 and successful campaign with Australian junior teams over the past two summers at FIBA U17 and U19 World Championships, Dante Exum emerged as the next great prospect from the Australian Institute of Sport. Standing at 6-6 with nice wingspan, promising frame, great first step, terrific creativity on the ball and great deal of athleticism, 17-year-old guard bears some resemblance to no one else but high school version of Michael Jordan. Exum gets to the lane easily with shoulder fake, in-out crossover or simple change of the direction, getting by each defender at will and taking advantage of his tremendous body balance and quickness. Nevertheless, musts work on his weak left hand, but the sky is the limit, given his work ethic and fact that over the course of the year from mediocre outside shooter became average 3-point threat.
Reportedly turning down a lottery promise from Dallas Mavericks at #13 in the 2013 NBA draft, Dario Saric averaged 20.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists and made the All-Tournament Team at the FIBA U19s. Saric is 6 feet 10 inches tall combo-forward with guard skills in big man’s body, displaying terrific feel for the game, nice passing skills and tremendous playmaking abilities. However, plenty of question marks around him remains. So it is not a surprise most of the NBA executives have love-hate relationships with the most productive player in Prague, Czech Republic. He wows with court-vision, dribbling and scoring instincts, but still appears stuck between SF and PF, especially defensively, is only average free throw shooter and displays - putting it mildly - disappointing body language and attitude on the court.
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Photo: FIBA
