The 17th edition of Basketball Without Borders Europe took place in Belgrade, Serbia, from the 15th to the 18th of August. 40 of the top prospects of the 2001-born class attended the camp. Here are our top performers from the four-day event.
Alex Antetokounmpo – 6’6, SF, Greece
Has an impressive body, with long and wiry frame. Showed some impressive athletic plays and really intriguing potential on defense. His offensive game is still raw though, lacks some ball skills and basketball IQ. Struggled to hit jump shots, but has promising mechanics.
Deni Avdija – 6’9, SF, Israel
Named Basketball Without Borders MVP in Belgrade. Finished strong his amazing summer, playing with high-level motor and focus throughout all the event. Highly creative and smooth with the ball in his hands, has amazing vision and basketball IQ. Aggressive, pushed hard the ball in transition and attacked the rim, needs to improve as a finisher. Elite shooter, able to create his own shot.
Kay Bruhnke – 6’8, SF/PF, Germany
Named MVP of the All-Star Game. Excellent passer and shooter for his size, has high-level vision and can use ball screens. Plays with good motor. Lacks some quickness and explosiveness as a perimeter player, on both ends of the court. Poor burst off the dribble and leaping ability to finish.
Maxime Carene – 6’11, C, France
Had another impressive showing after the FIBA U17 World Cup in Argentina. Has excellent size and length, still needs to fill up his frame. Really mobile and explosive, had some remarkable above the rim play. Ball skills are still in the making but has decent touch and has developed a better feel for the game.
Matthieu Gauzin – 6’3, PG, France
Also coming from a very good FIBA U17 World Cup. Extremely quick guard with advanced ball-handling, able to easily create separation and beat his man. Had some very nice moment attacking the basket, finding his teammates on the perimeter and passing on the P&R. Outside shot is still an issue.
Gregor Glas – 6’6, SF, Slovenia
Another solid performance, after a great FIBA U18 European Championship Division B. Has promising despite still undeveloped frame. Played more off the ball than with his national team, acting more as a shooter off the catch and playing within his limits. Smooth and consistent shooter with solid length.
Modestas Kancleris – 6’8, SF, Lithuania
Has grown up and has still an undeveloped frame, intriguing physical upside. Played a lot with the ball in his hands, acting also as a point guard. Showed some impressive moment as ball-handler and passer, but still struggles to finish with contact at the rim.
Karlo Matkovic – 6’11, C, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coming from a very good showing at FIBA U18 European Championship Division A, took advantage of another big chance to showcase his skills. Has really developed his body compared to one year ago, and still has upside to grow bigger. Very quick feet for his size, coordinated. Has good touch inside and showed excellent ability to move in the halfcourt, catch and finish. Always in the right spot.
Aleksej Pokusevski – 7’0, PF, Serbia
Atypical player with impressive ball skills, can handle and pass like a guard. Very fluid with the ball, moves well for his size. His jumper is still erratic, but looked solid in Belgrade. Still has a really undeveloped body, far from reaching his physical potential. Needs to get tougher and improve his defensive footwork.
Nemanja Popovic – 6’9, PF, Serbia
Had a strong showing, playing with good motor. Has intriguing combination of length and footwork, can guard smaller players on defense. Has elite vision and passing skills, takes quick decisions with the ball. So far can only score inside, but has soft touch and has potential to improve as a shooter.
Matej Rudan – 6’9, PF, Croatia
Another solid showing for him after playing good in Argentina this summer. Long and with still margin to improve his body. Tough and aggressive, never afraid to take responsibilities, was able to impress in a context with more freedom. Very good shooter with extended shooting range. Passing skills are also solid.
Pavel Zakharov – 6’11, C, Russia
Had more freedom than at the FIBA U18 European Championship in Latvia and was able to show some interesting play on the perimeter, he’s able to put the ball on the floor and attack the closeout. Athletic and really fluid, still not at his best dealing with physical contacts. Has shooting range from beyond the arc.
Photo by nba.com
Alex Antetokounmpo – 6’6, SF, Greece
Has an impressive body, with long and wiry frame. Showed some impressive athletic plays and really intriguing potential on defense. His offensive game is still raw though, lacks some ball skills and basketball IQ. Struggled to hit jump shots, but has promising mechanics.
Deni Avdija – 6’9, SF, Israel
Named Basketball Without Borders MVP in Belgrade. Finished strong his amazing summer, playing with high-level motor and focus throughout all the event. Highly creative and smooth with the ball in his hands, has amazing vision and basketball IQ. Aggressive, pushed hard the ball in transition and attacked the rim, needs to improve as a finisher. Elite shooter, able to create his own shot.
Kay Bruhnke – 6’8, SF/PF, Germany
Named MVP of the All-Star Game. Excellent passer and shooter for his size, has high-level vision and can use ball screens. Plays with good motor. Lacks some quickness and explosiveness as a perimeter player, on both ends of the court. Poor burst off the dribble and leaping ability to finish.
Maxime Carene – 6’11, C, France
Had another impressive showing after the FIBA U17 World Cup in Argentina. Has excellent size and length, still needs to fill up his frame. Really mobile and explosive, had some remarkable above the rim play. Ball skills are still in the making but has decent touch and has developed a better feel for the game.
Matthieu Gauzin – 6’3, PG, France
Also coming from a very good FIBA U17 World Cup. Extremely quick guard with advanced ball-handling, able to easily create separation and beat his man. Had some very nice moment attacking the basket, finding his teammates on the perimeter and passing on the P&R. Outside shot is still an issue.
Gregor Glas – 6’6, SF, Slovenia
Another solid performance, after a great FIBA U18 European Championship Division B. Has promising despite still undeveloped frame. Played more off the ball than with his national team, acting more as a shooter off the catch and playing within his limits. Smooth and consistent shooter with solid length.
Modestas Kancleris – 6’8, SF, Lithuania
Has grown up and has still an undeveloped frame, intriguing physical upside. Played a lot with the ball in his hands, acting also as a point guard. Showed some impressive moment as ball-handler and passer, but still struggles to finish with contact at the rim.
Karlo Matkovic – 6’11, C, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coming from a very good showing at FIBA U18 European Championship Division A, took advantage of another big chance to showcase his skills. Has really developed his body compared to one year ago, and still has upside to grow bigger. Very quick feet for his size, coordinated. Has good touch inside and showed excellent ability to move in the halfcourt, catch and finish. Always in the right spot.
Aleksej Pokusevski – 7’0, PF, Serbia
Atypical player with impressive ball skills, can handle and pass like a guard. Very fluid with the ball, moves well for his size. His jumper is still erratic, but looked solid in Belgrade. Still has a really undeveloped body, far from reaching his physical potential. Needs to get tougher and improve his defensive footwork.
Nemanja Popovic – 6’9, PF, Serbia
Had a strong showing, playing with good motor. Has intriguing combination of length and footwork, can guard smaller players on defense. Has elite vision and passing skills, takes quick decisions with the ball. So far can only score inside, but has soft touch and has potential to improve as a shooter.
Matej Rudan – 6’9, PF, Croatia
Another solid showing for him after playing good in Argentina this summer. Long and with still margin to improve his body. Tough and aggressive, never afraid to take responsibilities, was able to impress in a context with more freedom. Very good shooter with extended shooting range. Passing skills are also solid.
Pavel Zakharov – 6’11, C, Russia
Had more freedom than at the FIBA U18 European Championship in Latvia and was able to show some interesting play on the perimeter, he’s able to put the ball on the floor and attack the closeout. Athletic and really fluid, still not at his best dealing with physical contacts. Has shooting range from beyond the arc.
Photo by nba.com
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