By Artau Pascual
The last 2005-born 2024 Eurohopes payers ranking update is out. This age group has been largely considered as one of the deepest in the last years, and it’s widely known because of how impactful French players have been in it. Up to three French 2005-born players were selected in the TOP 10 of the 2024 NBA Draft, including picks number 1 and number 2 -Zacharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr- and a total of four were picked in the first round if we count Pacome Dadiet. Even with all these names out, without forgetting about players such as Nikola Topic, who was also part of the NBA Draft lottery, there are a few more players that deserve attention. Check out below which are our main risers in the 2005 Eurohopes players ranking.
Johann Grunloh (6'11, C, Rasta Vechta)
Johann Grunloh irrupts in the TOP 3 of the ranking as the only new name compared to the previous one. The Rasta Vechta 6’11 big has done everything a player with his body attributes needs to do to gather NBA Draft attention: block shots and stretch the floor. Grunloh has successfully stepped out to the three-point line, and as of right now his shooting results and volume are pretty encouraging given he has been able to increase both volume and effectiveness simultaneously. Mechanics are still in the making given he still has some ways to go to develop shooting mechanics he feels completely comfortable with, but all signs point towards the right direction. Grunloh, who has played in two competitions so far this season -Bundesliga and BCL- averages 8’5 points, 5’7 rebounds and 2’2 blocks per game with 40% 3PT shooting on two attempts per game.
Grunloh has taken a physical leap compared to last season. He has improved as a rim protector in contact situations, and his spatial awareness and ability to deter drives and shots stands out. The German big is highly reliable in drop scheme because of his backpedaling, ability to turn hips and size. Even if he doesn’t project as the type of big who could switch onto guards in wide spaces, it’s easy to see how he could be an uncomfortable matchup for guards in late possessions because of his length. Even if he’s not the player who is involved in the ball screen action as a defender, he helps build the defense around his presence. Weakside rim protection is also a strong selling point he has. From an offensive standpoint, Grunloh has been used mainly as a play-finishing big over the last two seasons. To the already mentioned three-point shooting arrangements, we also need to add some more production paths he has in the repertoire: scoring off second chances and rolls to the rim. Grunloh is an effective pick&roll big man who sets strong screens that can potentially lead to good looks for the ball handler, and he’s also quick at diving to the rim. If he’s able to take his motor and three-point shooting to another dimension, he will be an even more appealing prospect.
Álvaro Folgueiras (6'9, PF, Robert Morris)
The Málaga product started the 2024/25 season in a fashion way. Folgueiras averages a double-double for Robert Morris: 12 points and 10’7 rebounds per game, with a remarkable 39’7% on 3PT shooting. Folgueiras’ game has always been fueled by energy, motor and motivation, and now his level of self-confidence and bravery are paying dividends and placing him in a good position among the standout NCAA sophomores.
Folgueiras loves playing without the ball. He needs very few dribbles to produce, and he understands where his advantage sits against all types of matchups. He exploits his size on the post, gets past slower defenders in closeouts, and pulls the trigger quick enough to be a solid catch and shoot threat from both the top of the key and the corner. If we add to the mix that he can play as a face-up big and set the tone in transitions and fastbreaks by filling the middle lane, the result is a highly productive player whose production is heavily related to habits and proactivity, so he should be able to escalate levels easily.
Mor Massamba Diop (7'0, C, Gran Canaria)
Once used as the third big for Real Madrid’s 2005-born age group almost two years ago, Massamba Diop is now finding a safe spot in Gran Canaria’s program. He’s playing regularly for the second team at Segunda FEB level, but his mix of tremendous wingspan, raw athleticism and game development is encouraging and suggests he still has some ways to go in terms of improvement and determining where his ceiling sits. He has already made a strong impression at both ACB and Eurocup competitions.
Diop, whose shot blocking and lob-catching range stand out immediately when you see him first, projects as a player to follow just because of how impactful his athleticism and wingspan are right away: even though the first division games are still too fast for him in all the areas related to execution on both ends of the floor, he’s just different from the type of big we can find even at this level, and this makes him tremendously helpful.
The last 2005-born 2024 Eurohopes payers ranking update is out. This age group has been largely considered as one of the deepest in the last years, and it’s widely known because of how impactful French players have been in it. Up to three French 2005-born players were selected in the TOP 10 of the 2024 NBA Draft, including picks number 1 and number 2 -Zacharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr- and a total of four were picked in the first round if we count Pacome Dadiet. Even with all these names out, without forgetting about players such as Nikola Topic, who was also part of the NBA Draft lottery, there are a few more players that deserve attention. Check out below which are our main risers in the 2005 Eurohopes players ranking.
Johann Grunloh (6'11, C, Rasta Vechta)
Johann Grunloh irrupts in the TOP 3 of the ranking as the only new name compared to the previous one. The Rasta Vechta 6’11 big has done everything a player with his body attributes needs to do to gather NBA Draft attention: block shots and stretch the floor. Grunloh has successfully stepped out to the three-point line, and as of right now his shooting results and volume are pretty encouraging given he has been able to increase both volume and effectiveness simultaneously. Mechanics are still in the making given he still has some ways to go to develop shooting mechanics he feels completely comfortable with, but all signs point towards the right direction. Grunloh, who has played in two competitions so far this season -Bundesliga and BCL- averages 8’5 points, 5’7 rebounds and 2’2 blocks per game with 40% 3PT shooting on two attempts per game.
Grunloh has taken a physical leap compared to last season. He has improved as a rim protector in contact situations, and his spatial awareness and ability to deter drives and shots stands out. The German big is highly reliable in drop scheme because of his backpedaling, ability to turn hips and size. Even if he doesn’t project as the type of big who could switch onto guards in wide spaces, it’s easy to see how he could be an uncomfortable matchup for guards in late possessions because of his length. Even if he’s not the player who is involved in the ball screen action as a defender, he helps build the defense around his presence. Weakside rim protection is also a strong selling point he has. From an offensive standpoint, Grunloh has been used mainly as a play-finishing big over the last two seasons. To the already mentioned three-point shooting arrangements, we also need to add some more production paths he has in the repertoire: scoring off second chances and rolls to the rim. Grunloh is an effective pick&roll big man who sets strong screens that can potentially lead to good looks for the ball handler, and he’s also quick at diving to the rim. If he’s able to take his motor and three-point shooting to another dimension, he will be an even more appealing prospect.
Álvaro Folgueiras (6'9, PF, Robert Morris)
The Málaga product started the 2024/25 season in a fashion way. Folgueiras averages a double-double for Robert Morris: 12 points and 10’7 rebounds per game, with a remarkable 39’7% on 3PT shooting. Folgueiras’ game has always been fueled by energy, motor and motivation, and now his level of self-confidence and bravery are paying dividends and placing him in a good position among the standout NCAA sophomores.
Folgueiras loves playing without the ball. He needs very few dribbles to produce, and he understands where his advantage sits against all types of matchups. He exploits his size on the post, gets past slower defenders in closeouts, and pulls the trigger quick enough to be a solid catch and shoot threat from both the top of the key and the corner. If we add to the mix that he can play as a face-up big and set the tone in transitions and fastbreaks by filling the middle lane, the result is a highly productive player whose production is heavily related to habits and proactivity, so he should be able to escalate levels easily.
Mor Massamba Diop (7'0, C, Gran Canaria)
Once used as the third big for Real Madrid’s 2005-born age group almost two years ago, Massamba Diop is now finding a safe spot in Gran Canaria’s program. He’s playing regularly for the second team at Segunda FEB level, but his mix of tremendous wingspan, raw athleticism and game development is encouraging and suggests he still has some ways to go in terms of improvement and determining where his ceiling sits. He has already made a strong impression at both ACB and Eurocup competitions.
Diop, whose shot blocking and lob-catching range stand out immediately when you see him first, projects as a player to follow just because of how impactful his athleticism and wingspan are right away: even though the first division games are still too fast for him in all the areas related to execution on both ends of the floor, he’s just different from the type of big we can find even at this level, and this makes him tremendously helpful.
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