By Albert Juncà
Over the last few days we’ve been releasing some articles about the main European players and stories to follow, and today it’s turn to put on the table some Juniors players who are ready to have a big impact and play a big role for their programs.
Aday Mara - 7’3” - C - Michigan Wolverines - Spain
Winds of change for the Spanish big. After entering the transfer portal from UCLA, Mara arrives at Michigan, a program where centers have always played a major role in Coach May’s system.
His outstanding size and soft touch around the rim will be a big addition to Michigan’s paint presence. With Mara on the floor drawing the attention of defenders, it becomes easier to find open looks from deep. He is also effective in pick-and-roll situations, where he can choose to dive straight to the rim or explore better options with the ball in his hands, reading cuts and off-ball movements from his teammates in different areas of the court.
Motiejus Krivas - 7’2” - F - Arizona Wildcats - Lithuania
The third year in Arizona for the former Žalgiris Kaunas center. The Wildcats have added seven freshmen to the roster, including Koa Peat, a multiple-time medalist with the USA youth national team. They have also recruited several European prospects, such as Dutch wing Dwayne Aristode and former Bayern Munich player Ivan Kharchenkov.
After suffering a season-ending injury last year, Krivas is back on the court with a much more important role, stepping into the starting center spot. His passing touch and decision-making in short-roll situations are key pillars of Arizona’s offensive system. It’s also not common to find a center with his size who combines such good touch and versatility finishing at the rim in multiple ways, whether posting up or diving after a pick-and-roll.
Using his size and positional awareness, he will have an important presence on the defensive end for the Wildcats, covering ground in drop schemes and using his toughness to hold his position when defending in the post.
Andrej Stojakovic – 6’7” – F – Illinois Fighting Illini – Serbia/Greece
One of the five new faces in the Illinois roster, Stojakovic joins the program after transferring from California. The son of former NBA player Peja Stojakovic had strong production last year with the Golden Bears, averaging 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. With this addition, the Fighting Illini have built a very interesting roster, combining new recruits with a renewed core from last season.
Stojakovic is a wing who can operate with the ball in his hands and is comfortable running simple pick-and-roll actions to create space using the screen to score. He’s a versatile scorer who can be useful in different situations, whether acting as a ball-handler in pick-and-roll sets or filling open spots off the ball, reacting to his teammates’ movements.
Henri Veesaar – 7’0” – C – North Carolina Tar Heels – Estonia
A new addition for the Tar Heels after transferring from Arizona, the Estonian big man showed significant physical improvement last season, getting stronger while maintaining his mobility, which makes him a unique type of center.
Veesaar can be very useful for the team, impacting the game in multiple ways. He uses his mobility and offensive instincts to find open spaces in the paint to finish near the rim or dive quickly to the basket after setting a screen. Thanks to his great touch, he can also make smart passes from the top of the key or in short-roll situations, drawing opposing bigs out of the paint and creating open lanes for off-ball movement. Occasionally, he also has the ability to stay open after a screen and stretch the floor with a fluid shooting release.
On the defensive end, his presence will be key for North Carolina, using his length and mobility to pressure opposing bigs when they receive the ball on the perimeter or to protect the rim and alter shots inside.
Over the last few days we’ve been releasing some articles about the main European players and stories to follow, and today it’s turn to put on the table some Juniors players who are ready to have a big impact and play a big role for their programs.
Aday Mara - 7’3” - C - Michigan Wolverines - Spain
Winds of change for the Spanish big. After entering the transfer portal from UCLA, Mara arrives at Michigan, a program where centers have always played a major role in Coach May’s system.
His outstanding size and soft touch around the rim will be a big addition to Michigan’s paint presence. With Mara on the floor drawing the attention of defenders, it becomes easier to find open looks from deep. He is also effective in pick-and-roll situations, where he can choose to dive straight to the rim or explore better options with the ball in his hands, reading cuts and off-ball movements from his teammates in different areas of the court.
Motiejus Krivas - 7’2” - F - Arizona Wildcats - Lithuania
The third year in Arizona for the former Žalgiris Kaunas center. The Wildcats have added seven freshmen to the roster, including Koa Peat, a multiple-time medalist with the USA youth national team. They have also recruited several European prospects, such as Dutch wing Dwayne Aristode and former Bayern Munich player Ivan Kharchenkov.
After suffering a season-ending injury last year, Krivas is back on the court with a much more important role, stepping into the starting center spot. His passing touch and decision-making in short-roll situations are key pillars of Arizona’s offensive system. It’s also not common to find a center with his size who combines such good touch and versatility finishing at the rim in multiple ways, whether posting up or diving after a pick-and-roll.
Using his size and positional awareness, he will have an important presence on the defensive end for the Wildcats, covering ground in drop schemes and using his toughness to hold his position when defending in the post.
Andrej Stojakovic – 6’7” – F – Illinois Fighting Illini – Serbia/Greece
One of the five new faces in the Illinois roster, Stojakovic joins the program after transferring from California. The son of former NBA player Peja Stojakovic had strong production last year with the Golden Bears, averaging 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. With this addition, the Fighting Illini have built a very interesting roster, combining new recruits with a renewed core from last season.
Stojakovic is a wing who can operate with the ball in his hands and is comfortable running simple pick-and-roll actions to create space using the screen to score. He’s a versatile scorer who can be useful in different situations, whether acting as a ball-handler in pick-and-roll sets or filling open spots off the ball, reacting to his teammates’ movements.
Henri Veesaar – 7’0” – C – North Carolina Tar Heels – Estonia
A new addition for the Tar Heels after transferring from Arizona, the Estonian big man showed significant physical improvement last season, getting stronger while maintaining his mobility, which makes him a unique type of center.
Veesaar can be very useful for the team, impacting the game in multiple ways. He uses his mobility and offensive instincts to find open spaces in the paint to finish near the rim or dive quickly to the basket after setting a screen. Thanks to his great touch, he can also make smart passes from the top of the key or in short-roll situations, drawing opposing bigs out of the paint and creating open lanes for off-ball movement. Occasionally, he also has the ability to stay open after a screen and stretch the floor with a fluid shooting release.
On the defensive end, his presence will be key for North Carolina, using his length and mobility to pressure opposing bigs when they receive the ball on the perimeter or to protect the rim and alter shots inside.
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