By Can Pelister

 

In 4th edition of Turkish Prospects we have two 1996 born players, which will be member of this year’s Turkey U18 NT: Ege Arar (Galatasaray) and Ediz Oktay (Darussafaka Dogus). Both were members of U16 European Champions in summer of 2012. 

 

Ege Arar (’96, Galatasaray)

 

Arar, at the pic, is probably going to be one of the best players of his position this summer in Konya for the U18 European Championship. Comparing to U16 he’s a very different player right now. He has a very nice feel for the game and is a very good rebounder on both ends. Especially he’s very effective in offensive rebounds and second chance points, boxes-out very strong. He can shoot the ball but needs to make his release more quick. Arar is playing both 4 and 5 positions in his club team. However, head of the youth developement Burcin Badem tells Eurohopes that they want to move him to position 3 too. Recently Galatasaray added Alain Digbeu to cadets as a personal trainer, coach. I’m pretty sure thet they’re working a lot on his foot quickness, lateral quickness and also ball handling, three biggest weaknesses of him for position 3. His athleticism is average. Is also a great rim protector, has a good block timing.

 

Ediz Oktay (’96, Darussafaka Dogus) 

 

Oktay is one of the best shooters of his generation in Turkey and maybe in Europe. Oktay is a lights-out shooter. However he struggled in his club team as a leader last year in U18 Turkish Championship. But that’s all normal. Turning into a leader player from role player needs sometime. He needs to lead Darussafaka in cadets and day by day he’s getting better as a leader. Oktay has a great physic for both positions 3 and 4. But his foot quickness also needs upgrade like Arar for position 3. 

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Gintaras Siuparys

 

Twitter of the author: @HCanPelister