By Pietro Cristofori

From April 10th to 13th, the second edition of the "U16 Madcup Basket" took place in Madrid, Spain.
Eight of the top European youth clubs competed in an event that each year showcases some of the most intriguing U16 prospects in Europe.
Real Madrid claimed the title for the second consecutive year, defeating Zalgiris Kaunas 98–88 in the final.
Our Editor-in-Chief, Pietro Cristofori, takes a quick dive into the most exciting prospects who participated in the tournament.

Emils Steckis - 2009, 6'8", PF, Latvia, Zalgiris Kaunas

 

Steckis, playing on loan for Zalgiris Kaunas during the tournament, successfully translated the positive traits he had previously shown with his club in Liepaja. Primarily used as a 5, he made a strong impact under the boards despite not being the most physically dominant player in the paint. He displays excellent positional awareness and a natural feel for rebounding. There is still significant room for development from an athletic standpoint. Steckis is expected to grow another inch (reaching around 6'9") and, as his body matures and he adds muscle, he should develop above-average athleticism. He finishes well around the rim with both hands and shows the ability to score in situations that require advanced coordination. Defensively, he shows strong lateral quickness for his size and is capable of switching onto smaller, faster players, staying active with his arms and hands. Although he wasn’t involved much on the perimeter, his motor, mobility, and size project him well to transition to the 4 position at the pro level. Steckis is a mobile, fast-learning player. The next step in his development will be adding a reliable perimeter game. He shows similarities to a younger Kristers Skrinda and has HM potential.

 

 

Renner has added a couple inches since Jan. 2024 where he was standing at 6'5" w/o shoes, while now he's standing at 6'7". During this time span he has also lost some kilos and he has now a frame that is very intriguing from an athletic standpoint. Very long arms (wingspan looks to be around 7'0") and legs, he might grow one inch still and become 6'8". He has the potential to develop a body that many GMs currently covet in modern game. First of all, feet are good for the size: he moves them quickly and he can stay in front of forwards when he sits out on the perimeter. He currently is the biggest player on his team and many times he has to guard the opponent's big-men, but he will bring versatility on the perimeter thanks to his tools when he will have to turn into a forward. Okay NBA athleticism on the long run. Can shoot the ball: at the moment he's inconsistent, but the ball goes out well from his hands, good ball-spin and rhythm, and he sets his feet very well to the basket. He has the chance to develop a reliable spot-up three-point shot. At the moment he just drives on straight lines, doesn't make reads off the move. Balance is decent. The main concern with his game right now is his attitude: he's too passive, doesn't put 100% when he plays and way too many times it looks like he's not totally focused. He gets outplayed under the boards, even by shorter guys. At the end of the day, right now Renner doesn't have some skill that project also at the next level, he has good potential in many of those, but not any sure-fire skill that translates right away. He's a long-term project. High-major potential PF: Renner possesses the athletic and physical tools to play at high European level in the future as well. Also, now he's going through a period where his body is changing a lot, so it's difficult to find a balance. At the end of the U16 Euro Championships this Summer we will have a more clear situation about him. 

 

 

Rhys Robinson had a tournament marked by both positive flashes and some inconsistencies. He currently stands between 6'5" and 6'6" without shoes, with a frame that suggests he could still grow an additional inch. He boasts a long wingspan, estimated around 6'9", giving him excellent positional size. While his ball-handling has not shown major strides, he continues to display potential. His handle remains a bit high, and he is not yet fully comfortable assuming primary ball-handling duties. He made a positive impact as a shooter, showing encouraging consistency from deep. Adjustments to his shooting form, particularly a higher release point and a more pronounced arc, could further unlock his perimeter scoring potential. Defensively, Robinson continues to stand out. His versatility and instincts are real strengths: at this level, he can guard and switch on multiple positions (1 through 4) thanks to his size, lateral quickness, and timing. He shows a natural feel for blocking shots, making steals, and rotating from the weak side. His motor and athleticism project him as a high-level perimeter defender moving forward. Physically, his narrow frame and linear build suggest he may remain more wiry than bulky, which should help him maintain his quickness and agility over time. His combination of size, athleticism, and defensive instincts is rare and gives him considerable long-term upside. One area for growth is his emotional management on the court. At times, he can become frustrated, leading to lapses in focus or occasional technical and unsportsmanlike fouls. Developing greater emotional control and channeling his competitive spirit positively will be important steps for his continued progression. Overall, he projects as a HM 3&D. 

 

 

Omer Kutluay served as the offensive mind for Real Madrid, showcasing impressive floor-general skills. When he has the ball, he dictates the tempo, a quality that projects well to higher levels of competition. He consistently demonstrates excellent control, recognizing and exploiting advantages — whether through mismatches or pick-and-roll actions. Kutluay shows high-level potential as a pick-and-roll operator, using hesitations and fakes effectively to create separation. He is a solid scorer from both mid-range and three-point range, particularly comfortable pulling up off the dribble. He drives effectively with both hands and finishes softly around the rim. His combination of fluid ball-handling, quickness, and basketball IQ enables him to beat defenders at this level, a skill set that should translate to the professional game. Physically, he can struggle when faced with contact at the rim, and a lack of elite explosiveness and athleticism could limit him against stronger, more athletic defenders. However, his passing ability already shows EuroLeague-level vision and execution. Kutluay projects as a scoring point guard who can provide a high floor thanks to his advanced scoring instincts and playmaking skills. With continued development, he has the potential to grow into a EuroLeague-caliber lead guard.

 

 

Noah Santos made good use of his playing time, showing encouraging flashes of his talent. Competing against this level of opposition was a new experience for him, especially considering he was playing up a year in age. Physically, he stands at 6'5" without shoes and his frame suggests the possibility of still growing a couple of inches. His wingspan, officially measured at 6'8", complements his size well. Should he reach the projected 6'7", Santos would offer a rare combination of size, ball-handling, shooting, and passing ability, making him a very intriguing wing prospect. His athleticism is solid and should continue to improve with physical maturation. While his shooting form can be inconsistent at times, he shows the potential to develop into a reliable 33–35% spot-up shooter. He handles the ball well, keeping his dribble low and showing good rhythm and control, already demonstrating some ability to operate in pick-and-roll actions. His on-ball game is impressively smooth for a player his size, standing out compared to his peers. Long-term, he projects as a capable secondary ball-handler. Defensively, his feet are quick enough for him to guard on the wing. While he is still developing his physical toughness and intensity, he shows willingness to embrace contact when needed, a promising trait for his future progression.

 

 

Kukta is a 6'4" guard with good athleticism, size, and a high motor, fitting well into the modern guard archetype. He shows a promising skillset with clear upside. He is not a full-time floor general yet but is developing in that direction. Handles primary ball-handling duties with decent rhythm and good court vision, although he struggles under heavy pressure. Shows good instincts, keeps his head up, and attacks downhill effectively with both hands. Strong pick-and-roll presence: manipulates defenses, finishes at the rim, and is a midrange threat, especially against drop coverages. His shooting mechanics are solid, though he remains inconsistent from deep. Physical growth should help improve his shooting efficiency over time. As a passer, he makes good reads off screens and involves teammates, though it’s not yet a primary strength. Limited off-ball activity, likely due to lack of experience in that role. Defensively, he plays with good intensity, competes for loose balls, and defends solidly on the perimeter. With added strength, he could match up well against athletic pro guards. If his physical development continues, Kukta projects as a potential EuroCup/EuroLeague-level guard, with a versatile and well-rounded game, even without one standout skill.

 

Lucas Troels-Smith - 2009, 6'6", PF, Denmark, Zentro Basket

 

Troels-Smith is one of the main under the radar guys in his generation. Late bloomer, currently standing at 6'6", he will develop into a 6'8" PF, with a chance to become even bigger. He's still chubby, and he hasn't developed muscularly yet. Athleticism will improve through time, right now he's just decent, but once his body will mature it will become good enough to withstand ACB level. In the next years he should grow another bit and lose some kilos all over his body. Although, I don't think that he will ever have a lanky and light body: his body archetype looks to be strong. Winsgpan looks to be slightly bigger than his height (should be 6'7"). His main skill is his shot off the catch: he's one of the best pure shooters in his generation. He has room of improvement to improve his efficiency there. The ball goes out very well from his hands and the body angles are very good. Quick preparation and execution given the age. His handles have room to improve as well: dribbles with his head up high and he can make plays from the dribble. On the long term, quickness and motor don't look good enough to make him project as an interior creator at the pro level, but he might develop a reliable handler dimension. He's not used to play against this top level competition, so he commits some silly mistakes, but going on he should decrease those. He's smart, good attitude on the floor. Doesn't play soft, which many times when it comes to Scandinavian players is an issue. Doesn't hurt his team on defense, just puts effort and tries to rebound. Not impactful on that end of the floor still. 

Overall, I can see him developing into an HM caliber shooting PF. Pure shooter. Motor and athleticism won't hurt his stock: they will come along over the next couple years. 

 

 

Villarejo is arguably the most talented player on his team. His athleticism is above average for this level of competition and projects well for high-level European pro basketball. At 6'7", his body is still maturing, and he may grow up to 6'8" in the near future. He has a solid motor, runs the floor well, and is capable of navigating the perimeter effectively. His footwork is decent, allowing him to play both the 3 and the 4 at the next level. Although his body remains somewhat lanky and he has yet to add significant muscle, he has plenty of room for physical development. Once he adds strength, he will become a more powerful presence on the court. While he has the physical tools to dominate, his play is not yet consistently impactful. He lacks go-to moves that allow him to generate offense reliably, and he seems more comfortable playing off the ball. He has good timing on cuts and uses his athleticism to finish strong at the rim. However, when driving to the basket, he can be pushed around too easily. He has room for improvement in terms of attitude and composure, as he sometimes shows frustration with referees during games. ACB potential.

 

 

Survila didn't have much playing-time during the tournament, but when he was on the floor he made a good impression. Not ready to make an impact at this level of competition, but the frame is appealing. Standing at 6'9" he has long and lanky arms. He might grow some more, but I wouldn't bet on that. Has quick hands, finishes with good coordination in the paint, uses both hands. He has some athleticism in his game that will allow him to give a shot in local first league. Okay feet, can sit out on the perimeter and switch. 

 

 

Buivydas acted as a sparring partner for Kukta in Zalgiris' backcourt for large parts of the competition. He picked up offensive duties such as scoring and passing. He brings many things to the table at good level, but there's nothing he excels in right now. He has poise and doesn't force shots. He has that type of profile of guard that until the U19 level while be highly productive in Europe. In some years it looks like versatile guard that suits into a mid-major environment.

 

 

On-loan player for Real Madrid brought in from Pablo Laso Academy, Keita has big and strong frame. Standing at 6'10", he has room to add even more muscles and kilos. Doesn't have high ceiling given his lack of talent on the offensive end, and just okay quickness on defense. What mainly stands out from Keita's game is his motor. Right now he doesn't know how to play still, and he commits many bad mistakes on both ends of the floor. If he commits one mistake, then he will commit many other ones in a row. Despite this, he looks focused on the game, and doesn't look soft at all. Hands look okay, but not quick enough to be a reliable lob-threat or rebounder at the next level. Hands need to improve: can't shoot. He's a rim-big, with high motor. Mid-major big.