The “U16 Villa De La Orotava” tournament is a traditional event that opens the season for some of the best academies and youth clubs in Europe. Throughout the years, many players who took part in this event have gone on to have big-time professional careers, and this edition shouldn’t be any different. Real Madrid won the title, beating Orange1 Bassano in the final game (86–68). The Spanish powerhouse could count on a loaded roster. The event included teams from four different countries and prospects from even more nations.
In this article, we’re going to shine a light on the eight main long-term prospects who played in the competition.
Austis Juozaitis - 2010, 6’5”, Forward, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas
Juozaitis popped out on European radars after this tournament, and he led the Zalgiris team throughout the event. His frame is not developed yet, and he has room to grow some more.
Currently standing at 6’5”, his shoulders have good width, and his lower body looks ready to add muscle once his frame matures. Juozaitis controls his body well and always runs with his head high. Good footwork and coordination: he uses both hands with no distinction. He’s comfortable playing face-up: he doesn’t drive with enough momentum and burst yet, and he should tighten his dribble in order to become a better handler, but thanks to his control and fluidity, he manages to get to the rim. Most of his scoring game comes from inside the paint where he’s smart to find open lanes. His shooting mechanics are not fluid yet, and the release needs to be fixed, but the ball’s spin is fair.
Overall, he’s skilled: he has good instincts to pass the ball, and he is rarely off balance. Juozaitis projects as a skilled forward in the long run.
Arminas Navasinskas - 2010, 6’11”, Center, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas
Standing at 6’11” with a naturally strong frame, Navasinskas was the tallest player in the entire event. His frame is still growing and developing: his lower body looks good since it’s not heavy or slow. He can move his feet with good coordination and force given his size and age. He plays with a good attitude.
Offensively, his game is limited: he doesn’t have power moves and he’s rigid, but to improve it will take time, and Navasinskas seems ready to embrace the development process. He has the instincts to develop and improve under this regard on the long term. He makes some plays using his power around the rim and tries to dunk on multiple occasions. He runs the floor, and in the long term, he will be able to add some decent athleticism on his end.
On defense, he projects as a good presence in the paint: he can cover plenty of ground thanks to his long arms and legs. His quickness and awareness on this end is solid. He can become a threat in the paint when it comes to shut down the light on defense.
Gideon Henry Silas - 2010, 6’8”, Power Forward, Nigeria, Orange1 Bassano
The 6’8” Nigerian forward was the most dominant player in the tournament. He was unstoppable from a physical standpoint. An early bloomer, Henry moves with great force and motor around the floor, making his game very difficult to guard when he gains momentum and pace facing the basket.
Below-average shooter: the ball’s spin is still inconsistent, and the arc is too low. In the long term, he has to work on his handles and his shot in order to find some alternatives to his bully-ball game. He’s versatile on defense: at this level of competition, he guards from 1 to 5.
Good strength in the lower body allows him to keep up with guards’ rhythm. He always plays fearlessly, and he’s a fighter. He’s the toughest player on the floor in every game.
Rhys Robinson - 2010, 6’6”, Wing, Great Britain/USA, Real Madrid
After a 24-point Final Game, Rhys Robinson was named the tournament MVP, as throughout the event he took on a leadership role within his team. An all-around wing standing at 6’6”, Robinson showed very promising versatility that allows his ceiling to be placed even higher. He has a solid wingspan, and in time, he will be ready to add muscle and legitimate strength.
His shooting mechanics could still be refined from an execution standpoint, but he has considerably improved his efficiency and consistency from beyond the arc. Robinson can guard multiple roles on the defensive end, switching from 1 to 3, navigating screens, and putting great effort into details. He shows a good attitude all around. His handles still need improvement in order to play at the guard spot at the next level: he doesn’t have tight handles and he’s not comfortable in keeping the dribble alive under pressure or in situations where he’s not in balance.
Despite being a 6’6" wing who still needs to refine his ball-handling and on-ball creation to fully operate as a guard at higher levels, his perimeter versatility and three-point accuracy make him a player with clear NBA potential.
Toni Garma - 2010, 6’5”, Small Forward, Croatia, Real Madrid
After a solid U16 EuroBasket Division B, where he emerged as one of the main standouts, Garma came back to the club stage. He had many ups and downs throughout the event. In Tenerife, he wasn’t able to find his comfort zone from deep.
He’s a streaky shooter at this stage, which can give him a 7/10 performance from 3 against CB Canarias or a 2/12 in the final game against Orange1 Bassano. He can shoot in different situations and he can be involved in various sets: this allows him to be a versatile threat on the perimeter. Although, his shooting performance determines too much of the outcome of his game overall. When the level of physicality rises, he struggles to find his way to the rim: burst and athleticism are decent at this stage and he can’t outplay defenders under this regard.
He mainly uses his handles to create separation and shoot from the mid-range or from behind the arc. While waiting for his final growth spurt, Garma is still very pleasant to watch when it comes to shooting mechanics and instincts. He can score in many different ways. His feet are slightly heavy. Shooting forward.
David Ezema - 2010, 6’7”, Power Forward, Nigeria, Orange1 Bassano
A newcomer to Orange1 Bassano, Ezema arguably had the frame with the highest potential in the event. A 6’7” forward with a high wingspan and broad shoulders, his chest and upper body are ready to fill out.
Ezema has high-end athleticism and explosiveness that allow him to be a threat in the open floor. He’s still very raw in multiple aspects, and that’s normal since he just recently got into a high-level context. During the event, he hit a couple of spot-up three-pointers: his shooting preparation and execution have to improve considerably, but he has some instincts to shoot the ball at a decent rate.
He can’t put the ball on the floor and doesn’t deal with pressure yet, but his body, which oozes potential, makes him an extremely intriguing prospect to follow.
Moussa Balla - 2013, 6’8”, Center, Mali, Real Madrid
Standing at 6’8”, Balla is a 2013-born big man who just arrived in Madrid, and this was his first showing on the international stage. Although, in the long term, he projects at the 4 spot. This is mainly given by his vertical and athletic build, rather than a powerful and bulky one.
These are his first months on the team, so he’s still adapting to the skill level. His instincts look fine on both ends of the floor: he covers much space laterally, and he can step out on the perimeter and switch against smaller players. The motor is fine; he plays with good intensity and effort: he collaborates on defense and can block shots at the rim. He has to work on his coordination and power.
DeMario Mayfield Jr. - 2011, 6’0”, Point Guard, USA, Orange1 Bassano
Standing at 6’0”, Mayfield Jr. is a floor general who had some minutes during the event despite being 2011-born. A late bloomer, not ready to play against high physicality. He has a lanky frame, but once he hits the final growth spurt, he will become strong and solid.
On offense, he’s always under control, and even against top level competition he’s calm and poised. Plays at his own pace, he thrives in situations where he can manipulate the defender: a capable handler who can drive to the rim. Still not a comfortable finisher in the paint, but he makes up for that with a reliable floater. Scores at a good rate from three. Mayfield projects as a high basketball IQ floor general.
NOTE: Roko Jerkic (Bayern Munich) played only one game in the event, as he suffered from back pain after the opener against Real Madrid.
In this article, we’re going to shine a light on the eight main long-term prospects who played in the competition.
Austis Juozaitis - 2010, 6’5”, Forward, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas
Juozaitis popped out on European radars after this tournament, and he led the Zalgiris team throughout the event. His frame is not developed yet, and he has room to grow some more.
Currently standing at 6’5”, his shoulders have good width, and his lower body looks ready to add muscle once his frame matures. Juozaitis controls his body well and always runs with his head high. Good footwork and coordination: he uses both hands with no distinction. He’s comfortable playing face-up: he doesn’t drive with enough momentum and burst yet, and he should tighten his dribble in order to become a better handler, but thanks to his control and fluidity, he manages to get to the rim. Most of his scoring game comes from inside the paint where he’s smart to find open lanes. His shooting mechanics are not fluid yet, and the release needs to be fixed, but the ball’s spin is fair.
Overall, he’s skilled: he has good instincts to pass the ball, and he is rarely off balance. Juozaitis projects as a skilled forward in the long run.
Arminas Navasinskas - 2010, 6’11”, Center, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas
Standing at 6’11” with a naturally strong frame, Navasinskas was the tallest player in the entire event. His frame is still growing and developing: his lower body looks good since it’s not heavy or slow. He can move his feet with good coordination and force given his size and age. He plays with a good attitude.
Offensively, his game is limited: he doesn’t have power moves and he’s rigid, but to improve it will take time, and Navasinskas seems ready to embrace the development process. He has the instincts to develop and improve under this regard on the long term. He makes some plays using his power around the rim and tries to dunk on multiple occasions. He runs the floor, and in the long term, he will be able to add some decent athleticism on his end.
On defense, he projects as a good presence in the paint: he can cover plenty of ground thanks to his long arms and legs. His quickness and awareness on this end is solid. He can become a threat in the paint when it comes to shut down the light on defense.
Gideon Henry Silas - 2010, 6’8”, Power Forward, Nigeria, Orange1 Bassano
The 6’8” Nigerian forward was the most dominant player in the tournament. He was unstoppable from a physical standpoint. An early bloomer, Henry moves with great force and motor around the floor, making his game very difficult to guard when he gains momentum and pace facing the basket.
Below-average shooter: the ball’s spin is still inconsistent, and the arc is too low. In the long term, he has to work on his handles and his shot in order to find some alternatives to his bully-ball game. He’s versatile on defense: at this level of competition, he guards from 1 to 5.
Good strength in the lower body allows him to keep up with guards’ rhythm. He always plays fearlessly, and he’s a fighter. He’s the toughest player on the floor in every game.
Rhys Robinson - 2010, 6’6”, Wing, Great Britain/USA, Real Madrid
After a 24-point Final Game, Rhys Robinson was named the tournament MVP, as throughout the event he took on a leadership role within his team. An all-around wing standing at 6’6”, Robinson showed very promising versatility that allows his ceiling to be placed even higher. He has a solid wingspan, and in time, he will be ready to add muscle and legitimate strength.
His shooting mechanics could still be refined from an execution standpoint, but he has considerably improved his efficiency and consistency from beyond the arc. Robinson can guard multiple roles on the defensive end, switching from 1 to 3, navigating screens, and putting great effort into details. He shows a good attitude all around. His handles still need improvement in order to play at the guard spot at the next level: he doesn’t have tight handles and he’s not comfortable in keeping the dribble alive under pressure or in situations where he’s not in balance.
Despite being a 6’6" wing who still needs to refine his ball-handling and on-ball creation to fully operate as a guard at higher levels, his perimeter versatility and three-point accuracy make him a player with clear NBA potential.
Toni Garma - 2010, 6’5”, Small Forward, Croatia, Real Madrid
After a solid U16 EuroBasket Division B, where he emerged as one of the main standouts, Garma came back to the club stage. He had many ups and downs throughout the event. In Tenerife, he wasn’t able to find his comfort zone from deep.
He’s a streaky shooter at this stage, which can give him a 7/10 performance from 3 against CB Canarias or a 2/12 in the final game against Orange1 Bassano. He can shoot in different situations and he can be involved in various sets: this allows him to be a versatile threat on the perimeter. Although, his shooting performance determines too much of the outcome of his game overall. When the level of physicality rises, he struggles to find his way to the rim: burst and athleticism are decent at this stage and he can’t outplay defenders under this regard.
He mainly uses his handles to create separation and shoot from the mid-range or from behind the arc. While waiting for his final growth spurt, Garma is still very pleasant to watch when it comes to shooting mechanics and instincts. He can score in many different ways. His feet are slightly heavy. Shooting forward.
David Ezema - 2010, 6’7”, Power Forward, Nigeria, Orange1 Bassano
A newcomer to Orange1 Bassano, Ezema arguably had the frame with the highest potential in the event. A 6’7” forward with a high wingspan and broad shoulders, his chest and upper body are ready to fill out.
Ezema has high-end athleticism and explosiveness that allow him to be a threat in the open floor. He’s still very raw in multiple aspects, and that’s normal since he just recently got into a high-level context. During the event, he hit a couple of spot-up three-pointers: his shooting preparation and execution have to improve considerably, but he has some instincts to shoot the ball at a decent rate.
He can’t put the ball on the floor and doesn’t deal with pressure yet, but his body, which oozes potential, makes him an extremely intriguing prospect to follow.
Moussa Balla - 2013, 6’8”, Center, Mali, Real Madrid
Standing at 6’8”, Balla is a 2013-born big man who just arrived in Madrid, and this was his first showing on the international stage. Although, in the long term, he projects at the 4 spot. This is mainly given by his vertical and athletic build, rather than a powerful and bulky one.
These are his first months on the team, so he’s still adapting to the skill level. His instincts look fine on both ends of the floor: he covers much space laterally, and he can step out on the perimeter and switch against smaller players. The motor is fine; he plays with good intensity and effort: he collaborates on defense and can block shots at the rim. He has to work on his coordination and power.
DeMario Mayfield Jr. - 2011, 6’0”, Point Guard, USA, Orange1 Bassano
Standing at 6’0”, Mayfield Jr. is a floor general who had some minutes during the event despite being 2011-born. A late bloomer, not ready to play against high physicality. He has a lanky frame, but once he hits the final growth spurt, he will become strong and solid.
On offense, he’s always under control, and even against top level competition he’s calm and poised. Plays at his own pace, he thrives in situations where he can manipulate the defender: a capable handler who can drive to the rim. Still not a comfortable finisher in the paint, but he makes up for that with a reliable floater. Scores at a good rate from three. Mayfield projects as a high basketball IQ floor general.
NOTE: Roko Jerkic (Bayern Munich) played only one game in the event, as he suffered from back pain after the opener against Real Madrid.
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