By Joan Danés

 

Some weeks ago, in the U16 Iscar Tournament, everybody was expecting good things from Màxim Esteban (Spain), Omer Faruk Yurtseven (Turkey), Rafal Komenda (Poland) or Victor Moreno (Spain), all of them in the Top-50 of Eurohopes. But also appeared a skinny 1999 prospect called Miguel González (Castilla y León). Let’s see what we saw in the Spanish event. 

Màxim Esteban (’98. Spain) -at the pic-: Is a 6’6’’ small-forward, skinny from a physical point of view, but can grow. Plays for FC Barcelona. Can play close to the rim or behind the arc, where he can shoot. Can do a lot of things, is versatile. He is quick during the offense transitions. Has strong legs, is a good rebounder and has 6’8’’ wingspan.  

Omer Faruk Yurtseven (’98, Turkey): 6’10’’ paint player, from Fenerbahce Ulker. Long wingspan, changing a lot of shots. In the paint he has the hability to finish with both hands with hook. Good footwork. Runs well the floor, even he must improve when his goal is to defend. He still can grow physically. 

Rafal Komenda (’98, Poland): His position is power-forward. long wingspan (6’11’’), even his height is 6’5’’. Strong legs, quick, runs well the floor. Still can grow. Can shoot from midrange and also 3 points line.

  
Victor Moreno (’98, Spain): Talented. Plays for Fuenlabrada at shooting-guard spot. Can score from midrange and also behind the arc. Also after screens. Can do a lot of things, like attack the rim with both hands and a fast first step. Strong legs. Jumps really high when fights for the rebound. Runs fastbreak quick. Good handle.

Miguel González (’99, Spain): Perimeter player. Was his first experience in an international tournament. Good long range shooter, runs the floor well and can finish lay-ups with both hands. He is always taking care of the ball, on offense and defense too. Good size, thin legs, long arms. Smart. 

Other good players in the tournament
Eric Martinez (Spain), Pol Figueras (Spain), Manuel Vazquez (Spain), Aleix Font (Spain OT), Sergio Martinez (’99, Spain OT), Osas Ehigiator (’99, Spain OT), Wysocki Olaf (Poland), Mateusz Szczypinski (Poland), Sergey Klyuev (Russia), Kirill Mikheev (Russia), Andrey Lopatin (Russia), Onuralp Bitim (Turkey) and Yesukan Onar (Turkey).
 
Day 1

Spain OT 89 - 86 Castilla y Leon.
(Esp): A. Font, 35 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. F. Salvador, 4 points 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. 
(CYL): J. Rodriguez, 22 points and 6 rebounds. M. Gonzalez (’99), 16 points and 4 rebounds.
 
Russia 49 - 55 Poland. 
(RUS): A. Domani, 14 points and 2 rebounds. K. Mikheev, 6 points and 14 rebounds. 
(POL): M. Szczypinski, 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. M. Kurpisz, 7 points and 14 rebounds.
 
Day 2

Spain 66 - 38 Poland
(ESP): V. Moreno, 17 points, 2 rebounds and 4 steals. M. Esteban, 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. 
(POL): R.Kormenda 9 points and 5 rebounds. M. Wizsomirski, 10 points and 6 rebounds.
 
Castilla y León 71  - 82 Turkey
(CYL): M. Gonzalez (’99) 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. D. Manchon 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. 
(TUR): O. Engin, 13 points and 5 rebounds. O Yurtseven, 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Day 3

Spain OT 76 - 72 Turkey
(ESP-OT): H. Bartolome, 17 points and 8 rebounds. S. Martinez’99, 12 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists. 
(TUR): O. Yurtseven, 16 points and 11 rebounds. B. Avsar, 15 points and 4 rebounds.
 
Spain 80 - 76 Russia 
(ESP): P. Figueras, 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. E. Martinez, 9 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals. 
(RUS): D. Velichkin, 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. E. Krovpivka, 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Day 4

5th/6th: Castilla y León 74 – 71 Russia
(CYL): M. Gonzalez (’99) 22 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. G. Fernandez, 11 points, 3 rebounds and 5 steals 
(RUS): A. Lopatin 4 points and 10 rebounds. D. Korvanen, 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
3rd/4th: Turkey 63-78 Poland 
(TUR): O. Yurtseven, 11 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. O. Bitim (’99), 12 points and 4 rebounds 
(POL): M. Szczypinski, 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. O. Wysocki 16 points and 9 rebounds
 
Final: Spain 88-66 Spain OT
(ESP): M. Esteban, 23 points and 8 rebounds. M. Vazquez, 18 points and 12 rebounds. 
(ESP-OT): S. Martinez (’99), 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. V. Aguilar, 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists

Final standings: 1.- Spain, 2.- Spain OT, 3.- Poland, 4.- Turkey, 5.- Castilla y León and 6.- Russia
Best rebounder: Omer F. Yurtseven (’98, Turkey)
MVP and Best scorer: Miguel Gonzalez (’99, Castilla y León)

 

Photo: Baloncestobase.com

 

Twitter of the author: @joandanes