By Luca Virgilio

 

One week ago we travelled to Santa Margherita Ligure (Italy) for the U16 EA7 Emporio Armani International Tournament where Real Madrid leaded by 37 points from the MVP Luka Doncic won the competition beating 84-68 Montepaschi Siena in the Final game.

Final Chart: 1) Real Madrid, 2) Montepaschi Siena, 3) Stellazzurra Academy, 4) Partizan Beograd, 5) Assigeco Casalpusterlengo, 6) Olimpia Armani Junior Milano, 7) Olimpia Ljubjana, 8) Tigullio 

MVP: Luka Doncic (Real Madrid) 

EH All Tournament Team

Davide Moretti (G, 6’1’’, Stellazzurra Academy, 1998) -at the pic-: After a great U16 European Championship one year underage this summer in Ukraine, Moretti is working hard to improve his game and his set of offensive skills. His greatest limit is an undersize physique that probably will limit his game in the future but today he is able to play without any kind of problem in 1-2 position. He’s a great scorer, he is able to attack the rim in transition, he’s jump shot is his trademark and he is a machine from the FT lines. In the next years he has to enhance his playmaking abilities because probably his future at high level is in the 1 position.  

Luka Doncic (G, 6’4’’, Real Madrid, 1999): One man show of the competition, Luka Doncic is definitely the most interesting player of his generation. MVP of the tournament with an outstanding performance in the Final game with 37 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 65 of evaluation (you can watch highlights here), he is a point guard that plays with great control and feeling for the what is happening on the court, he is a little genius of the game. Right handed, long-limbed body, crushing 3 point shot (8/10 against Montepaschi) and that typical behavior of player that are conscious about their own talent. Potentially he’s a crack in Europe, today he is a mix between Ricky Rubio and Rudy Fernandez, but he is still a kid and he has to work hard to prove his talent every day.

Lazar Nikolic (PG, 6’6’’, Stellazzurra Academy, 1999): The Serbian playmaker is probably with Doncic the other player with more upside in the 1999 European generation. More raw and undeveloped respect to the Slovenian talent, Nikolic is a 2 meters right handed playmaker with long arms, vision of the game and a reliable jump shot. He’s not fast, he has to improve his footwork but he has the “quick mind” that all the great playmakers have. Defensively is lazy and for him today could be difficult defend on playmaker that are 20 cm lower than him but he has to be more aggressive and suitable to sacrifice. 

Lorenzo Bucarelli ( SF, 6’4’’, Montepaschi Siena, 1998): Leader, heart and and proud of Montepaschi Siena, Bucarelli is a talented right handed wing with a great IQ, an impressive vision of the game, great control of the body and he is able to be a factor in both the phases of the game, above all he’s great hard worker. In the Final game against Madrid he scored 36 points and he was the only one capable to limit Doncic in a memorable “sport fight”. Probably he is not an NBA or NCAA prospect but he has the skills to be a factor in Europe and the possibility to work with Siena senior team every day is an important tool for him to improve day after day. 

Samba Ndiaye Thiago (C, 6’8’’, Real Madrid, 1998): Thiago in this moment is a real crack for the U16 European level: his incredible physic and his muscular structure have no equal in Europe. The big man coming from Senegal with 220 lbs is a obviously a factor under the boards in defense and in offense and the easiest comparison is with Oklahoma City Thunder Center Serge Ibaka. Power and explosiveness are the two words that better describe the presence of Thiago inside the paint: in offense every time he has the ball in his hands he tries to dunk and the only solution for the opponents is to use two players to limitate him. In defense he’s a perfect intimidator with long and massive arms that block every things in the air near the basket. In this moment the dunk is his only offensive solution and in the future he needs to add low post solution to his bucket to confirm himself at higher level. From the free throw line he is not bad at all but his jump
shot at today is not reliable. In defense sometimes he has black out trusting too much in his athleticism and his jump shots ability.

EH Honorable Mentions: 

We want to highlight other young talents that well performed during the competition like Sava Dukic (PG, 6’0’’, Partizan Beograd, 1998) thatwas the leader of Partizan during all the games of the tournament, good playmaker that prefers open space situations where he can push on the accelerator, physically and muscularly developed respect one year ago. Big Bosnian man Njegos Sikiras (PF, 6’7’’, Stellazzurra Academy, 1999) is still a kid and he is too discontinuous during the game but he showed up incredible offensive skills especially in the game against Real Madrid with great post moves and consistent jump shot from mid/long range. He has to improve his defensive skills and especially at rebound. Acodyan McCharty (G, 6’4’’, Real Madrid, 1999) arrived at Santa Margherita with some physical problems and he played just a few minutes before the final game against Montepaschi where he showed his great explosiveness and his amazing offensive
potential.

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Ciamillo - Castoria

 

Twitter of the author: @LucaVirgilio