By Pietro Cristofori
ANGE Ulm has come to an end, as FC Barcelona won the Final Game (91-89) against a very solid Zalgiris Kaunas team. As in every ANGE stage, the event featured many intriguing players that over the next decade will play in the biggest world's basketball stages. Some of these prospects have already reached a legit level of physical development, while others are still at a very early stage from this standpoint. Today, we will take a look at a couple of players that caught my eye in the event and that belong to the latter category.
Christopher Goder - 12/09/2007 (17.4), 6'11, Center, France, Asvel
Christopher Goder was unknown getting in the ANGE Ulm. Christopher arrived in Asvel this season: late-bloomer that grew several inches over the last couple years. Raised in Nantes, half Cameroonian. He registered in recent measurements a 6'11 frame and 7'2 wingspan. He didn't take part to the U16 European Championship in 2023 and U17 World Cup last Summer with French National Teams. He currently plays with the U18 Asvel team, and he gets called-up with the U21 team where he plays some minutes.
Goder gained minutes and confidence during the tournament. Very raw, late bloomer: from a development point of view he's some stages behind other prospects in his generation. I think he might grow another inch still. You can see he's adapting to a new environment. Shoulders are narrow, length is legit. High center of gravity. Muscularly still undeveloped, but will be able to gain muscles. Legs are slightly valgus. This might be the only issue when it comes to add kilos: might be injury prone.
On the floor he's vocal, doesn't play soft. Looks for contact. What stands out is his mix of skill, mobility and size. Impressive eye-hand coordination, he catches the ball and finds a way to be in balance in tight spaces. Hands and touch are good, finishes smoothly around the rim. Will add a three point shot going on, release is already at a good point, he needs to add the motor and coordination between all his body parts, which are difficult to control given his physical development stage. Can pass the ball. Offense is what makes him very intriguing.
Feet are quick, switches on the perimeter, and I think that at the next level he can turn into reliable pick&roll defender in drop coverage or hedge. Foul prone right now: struggles to control his body on defense. Doesn't bring to the table rim-protection or rebounding presence. Below average quickness in short spaces right now, but he will improve once muscles will become more developed. Good attitude overall on defense though, doesn't look passive.
Overall, I think that Goder projection is a huge bet: if everything goes in the right way, in 5 years he will have an NBA level body. I can project him as a skilled shooting big standing at 7'0. Although, right now he's still at very early stage of development, and as already told, he's pretty behind the development timeline of many others 2007 players that, like him, might end up in the league as best case scenario. Intel and attitude are positive, and are a good plus point for the positive outcome of the bet.
Gustavs Vilcans - 03/04/2010 (14.9), 6'7, Forward, Latvia, BC Dubai
2010-born Gustavs Vilcans was one of the youngest players in the entire event. At just 14 years old, the Latvian forward moved to Dubai to continue his youth career in the UAE after starting it in Ogre, Latvia. Vilcans played the U14 Baltic Cup last Summer where he was approximately standing at 6'5. He plays regularly in U18 local league as well.
Vilcans is very raw as well. Right now he's standing at 6'7 with positive wingspan. He will grow some more inches: arms are long and undeveloped. Shoulders will become wide, but right now are not filled-in. Chest, torso and back are promising too. Legs are long and not developed as well. Good motor when he runs: moves well on the floor. He will become fluid player. During the event, especially in the first two games, he struggled to keep up with the tempo and pace. In those games it was clear that he wasn't ready to face that athletic level.
He had a breakout game against Asvel where he was able to stay on the floor and scored 8 points in a short span of time. Impressive coordination and ability to put the ball on the floor, since he was able to get by players who were physically more gifted than him. Shooting mechanics are promising: releases the ball with correct angles, snaps the wrist well, and prepares his feet with good rhythm and stance. Has to work on quickness and hips. I think that shooting will become his elite skill going on. After a mistake he was ready to recover and wasn't giving up. Good attitude shown overall.
Feet are good, still not quick since muscular build doesn't allow him to, but thanks to IQ and good use of angles and body he was able to stay in front of way faster and powerful opponents. Once the body will come along, I can project him as solid forward defender. He has the tools to withstand top level on this end of the floor as well.
The very appealing part of Vilcans is his physical projection. Given his size and proportions I think that he will turn into a 6'10 forward in the future. Skill, feet and IQ suggest this. NBA potential player. I can see him as an interior creator at the 3/4 spot if the body comes along they way I think. Gustavs Vilcans joins an intriguing group of NBA potential players born in 2010 who are gonna be late bloomers: this groups features prospects like Toni Garma, Joseph Tala and Luka Ukic among others.
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