By Can Pelister
During the Turkish Cup final round, Turkish Basketball Federation made first steps of the ’Development League’ in Ankara. Besiktas, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor, TED Kolejliler, Pınar Karsıyaka, Tofas and Darüssafaka Dogus all participated in the Development League tournament. As expected, Tofas, who participated with the farm team, which playing in the TB3L, finished the tournament at first place while Galatasaray took the second place. Here are some notes from the top prospects I have watched in Ankara...
Kaan Sarıaslan (’97, TED Kolejliler)
Interesting prospect...was the best scorer of the tournament...has a great physic and can play both guard positions...needs to fix his turnovers...can shot the ball consistently...didn’t seem as a playmaker but more like a scorer...needs to be better defender as well...
Berkay Taskiran (’97, Besiktas)
Very quick and athletic...off dribble shot is consistent but needs to be better spot shooter...usually goes to the basket from the right side...very effective on open court, thanks to his quickness and athleticism...played as a point-guard sometimes during the tournament, however he needs to develop his PG skills...
Mert Çevik (’96, Tofas)
Uses his strong physic and attacks the basket well...very good scorer and shooter...can play position both guard positions and also as a forward too...good ball handler and smart...needs to be better player on the defensive end...
Egehan Arna (’97, Fenerbahçe) - at the pic
Crafty guard...has a great passing skills and courtvision...can play position 1 to 3...can shot the ball but not consistent...needs to be more explosive and aggresive on both ends...not the best defender but anticipates passes well and thanks to his long arms, gets into passing lanes...
Ege Arar (’96, Galatasaray)
Very good rebounder on both ends...boxes-out strong...has a nice feel for the game...can shot the ball from both mid-range and 3PT line but needs to make his release more quick...ball handling and foot quickness is not ready to play position 3, needs to work on those 2 things...but I see him playing as a power-forward in senior team...
Berkan Durmaz (’97, Tofas)
Comparing to his length, has a great ball handling...swingman...great rebounder...can shot the ball...from the physical standpoint, he’s not strong and tough...basketball IQ and courtvision is other strengths of Durmaz...
Ayberk Olmaz (’96, Fenerbahçe)
Freakish athleticism with very good length...not tough on the defensive end but thanks to his long arms, protects the rim well...runs the court well too...shot is not consistent...struggled vs. Arar in match-up on both ends...
Ata Evren (’96, Galatasaray)
Lefty guard...can shot the ball, has a great passing skills and court vision...great pNr ball handler...not tough and quick on the defensive end but smart...needs to more explosive, quick to play in high level...
Kadir Bayram (’96, Tofas)
From physical standpoint, strong and good physic for both guard positions...very quick and athleticism also great...for high level, needs to be better ball handler...passing skills, basketball IQ and court vision is not too good...can shot the ball but not consistently...great defender too...
Mertcan Solkol (’96, Karsıyaka)
6’4" guard with amazing athleticism and quickness...might be the best athlete in his age group...very effective on open court...on the defensive end, needs to be more aggressive and tough...with this athleticism and quickness, he can play in top Turkish teams if not the best, like Karsıyaka...
Twitter of the author: @HCanPelister
Photo: FIBA Europe / Ciamillo-Castoria
