From July 5th to July 7th, the U15 Friendship Tournament was held in Varese, Italy. As usual, four of the best U15 national teams in Europe showcased their talent in this Summer event.
Friendship Tournament was the first official tournament for these France and Greece selections, while Spain and Italy had been playing the Jr. NBA Championship earlier in June in Valencia, Spain.
Our Editor-in-Chief, Pietro Cristofori, attended the event and in this report he breaks down the game of the best prospects in the event.
Jan Cerdan - 2010, 6'7, Power Forward, Spain, FC Barcelona
Projects like a skilled PF at the next level. Even if he hasn't ended to grow still (high center of gravity and long arms), he has already legit size, but he might grow another couple inches. Above-average basketball IQ, never forces plays, makes the right read. Solid shooter and creative passer: Cerdan possesses a wide array of skillset, and he will be able to translate that at the pro level. Still have to figure out his mix of athleticism and motor, but he's so talented that he will be able to play at the top European level (at least) either way.
Rafael Corta - 2009, 6'8, Power Forward, Spain, Real Madrid
Main standout on the Spanish team. Impactful on the both ends of the floor, he led the way to the 1st place. Skilled, polished, puts the ball on the floor showing some elite body control and nice touch around the rim. Late bloomer, wide shoulders, he will add kilos. Doesn't outplay players by physicality, but by skill. Motor is decent, and his center of gravity is too high right now. He's already a PF, and that will be his role in his career. His stock depends on his physical development: he might grow a couple inches more, and in that case he would become NBA potential guy.
Roger Villarejo - 2009, 6'7, Forward, Spain, Valencia Basket
Villarejo has an undeveloped frame, but he projects as a sized forward once his growth spurt will come to an end. He puts the ball on the floor, plays face-up to the basket. Footwork is above average given his physical tools. Pure talent is definitely there: crafty with the ball in his hands. Toughness and motor still have to be there, but he has time and upside to add these. Fair defender. He has one of the highest upside on the team. Skilled forward.
Diego Ferreras - 2009, 6'4, Guard, Spain, FC Barcelona
Ferreras was the leading guard on the team. Legit length, frame has to develop still. Doesn't make an impact physically. Skilled and talented. Pick&roll threat. Many possessions came through his hands. Has feel and poise to play as primary handler in the future. Shooting mechanics are slow, but the movement is fluid. Smart on defense. He brings to the table many valuable assets. Possesses a nice mix of size and tools.
Marco Considine - 2009, 6'10, Center, Spain, Real Betis
Marco Considine was the tallest player in the entire tournament. He'll grow more still: frame is lanky, hands and feet are not proportioned yet. He's still late on reads, but he will get there. Doesn't show skills on offense, but he wasn't actually involved on that end. On defense he showed nice mobility and instincts: I liked his effort on both hands. Tried to play big and strong.
Ayden Tessier Loe - 2009, 6'5, Wing, France, Asvel Villeurbanne
Bouncy guard, Tessier Loe has light frame and quick feet. Doesn't look like he will ever become wide and strong. Decent shooter, solid finisher with very quick hands. Didn't create much for his teammates throughout the event, mainly took the ball to drive to the basket. Although, I'd like to see his development as a handler since his burst and awareness look promising. Also by his side, decision making is a part to work on. His natural development suggest him to become a pure guard with length and motor.
Brandon Muela - 2009, 6'7, Power Forward, France, Saint Charles Charenton
Muela is a lengthy forward. Solid body control and awareness to finish in traffic. Good burst, doesn't deal with contact. Questionable decision-making at times. Can't shoot from three, but from FT like the mechanics look ok. Projects as an athletic slasher at the next level. Decision-making is not there yet. High upside, he has the real potential to develop many parts of his game at a legit level.
Messi Yangala - 2009, 6'8, Center, France, CJF Les Aubrais
Yangala has a lanky and undeveloped frame, but he has the potential to become big and strong enough to play at a high European level. Highest physical upside on the team. Plays at high motor, crushes the boards. Fair touch around the rim, and his mechanics from the FT line and mid-range are promising. He tries to play on the perimeter as well by putting the ball on the floor, but doesn't have the body control and overall tendency to play there. That's not his thing. Looks like an athletic big-man on the long run. Intriguing upside as a finisher as well: pick&roll threat and lob catcher.
Melvyn Vounang - 2009, 6'6, Power Forward, France, Rennes Basket
Vounang was the leader of the France team. He brought poise and reliability. Good basketball IQ and skillset for size and age. Didn't force plays. Not quick, just plays at his own pace. He mainly plays bully-ball now, but he finds creative ways to finish in traffic. Didn't shoot the ball. He might end up being a physical PF: his feet are too slow to become a full-time forward.
Lorenz Sanz - 2009, 6'2, Point Guard, France, Reims BC
Sanz was the main facilitator on the team. Pass-first guard. Didn't look to score the ball that much. He's able to keep the control on offense, rarely stops the dribble. Good array of passes. Still undeveloped frame, he'll grow more. Ok athleticism and leap. Projects as primary handler.
Alassane Traore - 2009, 6'2, Point Guard, France, Le Mans
His mix of athleticism, motor and length are very intriguing. Light frame overall. He will grow up some more and looks like he will fill-in. Gets to the rim with ease thanks to his explosiveness and burst. Shows promising flashes of vision and playmaking abilities, although he's very inconsistent still. Can't shoot, bad decision making, way too often he was not under control. Still raw. Explosive and creative PG potential.
Mattia Ruggeri - 2009, 6'6, Forward, Italy, IBR Rimini
Ruggeri stood out as one of the major prospects on the Italian team. Athletic and high motor forward. Above-average physicality. Slasher, goes only right, plays with physicality and not skillset. Handles and decision making are not there, it looks like his body goes way faster than his hands do. Can't shoot right now: rigid mechanics. Relentless defender, strong legs, comfortably switches on the perimeter. Versatile defender with high motor at the next level. I don't bet on his shot-creation ability long-term.
Giorgos Giantsidis - 2009, 6'4, Shooting Guard, Greece, BC Platon
He was the guy taking the highest load of shots on the team. Offensive point of reference. Inconsistent and streaky shooter, forced shots, but he had to take those in his position. His shooting mechanics are quick. Handles are fair, had some reps as primary handler. Still lanky frame, ok shoulders and pretty bouncy. High pro level European potential on the long-run: he has solid mix of offensive skillset. He has to be more consistent on defense, didn't look very focused at times, but he has the tools to become decent.
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