By Marc Kongsgaard Pedersen
The Danish NT has returned to the European scene in this summer, after three years absence from all official competitions. This means that many young players now have the opportunity for playing at a high level. I have been followed the team in few practices and 4 games so far. Many of the young players have withdrawn themselves this year during injuries or school. Players like Rasmus Larsen, Kevin Larsen and Anders Haas were missing for Denmark. But this gave the spotlight to other young players like Esben Reinholt, Christian Benzon, Jacob Jensen, Gabriel Lundberg and Alexander Birketoft. Denmark has played two games against Switzerland, which gave me the opportunity to watch Clint Capela and Marko Mladjan.
Christian Benzon (6’4” ’93) – is a combo guard, who will play for Evansville in NCAA this season. Christian was missing some of games during an injury after a dunk against Iceland. Benzon is really athletic and is very good to attack the basket. He can finish with both hands and is a fast player, so it is easy for him to score in fast-break situations. Benzon is a clever player with quick hands, which makes him to a weapon in defense. In a game against Iceland he had 4 steals and 1 block in only 19 minutes.
Esben Reinholt (6’6” ’93) – has taken the leadership on his shoulders. Esben played for KK Split last season, but is a free agent right now. After this performance and with his age, he could properly play with a better team than KK Split next season. Reinholt plays the 1, 2 and 3 position for Denmark, and is the best score for Denmark in this qualification round. He has a great jumpshot with a high release and can shoot from everywhere. Reinholt has over average athleticism too, which means that he is not afraid to dunk over people. He has so many ways to score his points in offense and scores on stepbacks, spot-up shooting, pull-up jumpers, post-fadeaways, layups and dunks. In the 1st qualification round to FIBA Eurobasket 2015 he averages 14,5 points and 5,3 rebounds. He has a great feeling for the game, and is good to play on-ball defense. Reinholt is good to steal the ball and is not afraid to hustle after a loose ball. Esben has so much potential and I think he could become the new Christian Drejer in Danish basketball.
Jacob Jensen (7’0” ’94) – was the youngest man at the roster. Jacob is thinking too much over his next move, which is probably due to that he is still young. But beside that he has so much potential during his height, body and ability to finish at the rim. He has developed himself a little jumpshot and is not afraid to take an open mid-range shot. Jacob has super strength and plays like a beast inside the paint. He has good hands and is always looking for an open man before he begins to work in the post.
Clint Capela (6’10” ’94) – from Switzerland was might the player I saw with most potential. Clint is a beast in defense during his long arms, smartness, athleticism and quickness. Clint is a great shot-blocker and is always contesting the shot. He needs to add some pounds, because he has some problems in the post in offense and defense. It looks easy to back him down in defense, and in offense he tried to back down Jonas Bergstedt, but could almost not move him. He had no problems with taking offensive rebounds during his long arms, ability to crash the board and athleticism. Most of his point was scored when he grabbed an offensive rebound or on alley-oop plays. Capela has an averages jumpshot for a man with his size, but a problem with his jumpshot is that his elbow is not straight. I think he could become a better shooter, if his release was more “textbook”. Clint is very good to finish inside the paint thanks to his athleticism, which is great for man with his size. If I should compare Clint Capela with an NBA player, it will undoubtedly be Anthony Davis with a poorer jumpshot. He has potential to become one of the best defense players coming out of Europe.
Marko Mladjan (6’9” ’93) – has great size and plays the 2, 3 and 4 position. Mladjan is a fantastic spot-up shooter and has deep range on his shot. He needs some strength when he is guarding in the post, and some speed when he is guarding the guards. This means that he commits a lot fouls, and was fouled out in after just 10 minutes on the court against Denmark. Besides that he is a good shot-blocker during his size, and is also good to play in passing lane. Mladjan has no problems to score in offense during his size, shooting touch and smartness. He could become an offense weapon later in his career.
Photo: B. Petrinovic/kosarka.org
Twitter of the author: @MKP79
