Post by aar on Jul 17, 2008 11:55:59 GMT -5
I just got back from Europe and got to watch some of their U-14 games.
2009 Sarunas Marciulionis U-14 Tournament of Champions
A lot of young athletes brought their A-game this year.
Sven Andersson returned even better than last year and just went after it! The young forward averaged 9.4 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.1 spg and 1.1 bpg, but those numbers simply do not do justice to how hard he works on the floor. Scouts say that by the time he enters the 2014 or 2015 draft, his ratings could be in the area code of C B- C A- B A, which is quite unique for a small forward. Trainers that we spoke to say that they expect Andersson to be around 6'7" 215 pounds by the time he enters the draft, but obviously time will tell.
This camp was also a showcase for two up and comers on the Lithuanian scene. Azuolas Kanauskas was dropping bombs from three point range like his name was Peja Stojakovic and at age 13, he stands at a remarkable 6'5", which allowed him to shoot over just about anyone at the camp. He averaged tournament highs of 23.7 ppg on 58% shooting. Considering most of those were three point shots, it was very impressive.
Gedeminas Stankauskas was the other young star. At age 12, he looked more polished than most of the 14 year olds. He probably won't be in the draft until around 2016, but keep your eyes on this shooting guard because he can drive to the basket with ease and already has a polished jump shot that is to be feared.
This tournament was particularly special because 6'9" 14-year old wonder kid Boris Dimitrov made the trip from Russia. "The Bear" as they call him was relentless in the paint and made it look easy. People say that he's the next Pavel Podkolzine, but those people forget that Podkolzine had gigantism and was never formally taught the game of basketball. Dimitrov has been working with some of Europe's finest coaches.
The Li-Ning U-14 Asian Basketball Summit
There was a lot of interesting talent but it was mostly overshadowed by the return of "The Korean Jordan"
Duck-Young Bak returned at age 13 and absolutely tore this tournament apart. He made most other players look downright foolish. He made it his mission to dunk on just about everyone. He cruised to the MVP spot and averaged 28.2 ppg. I spoke to some scouts who say that when the 2014 or 2015 draft rolls around, he should be in the B+ C C C+ C A range and trainers expect him to reach 6'6", which would be the ideal height for a swingman. Bak needs to hit the gym though or he may never be able to play SF in the bigs.
Some people recognize Yuta Tabuse as the best Japanese player ever, but that may change when Hiro Tanaka is through. At age 13, Tanaka made it over for this tournament, despite the Chinese government's best efforts to keep him out. Tanaka is a power forward with immense skill and blessed with great size. As a follower of martial arts, he was bred with toughness and incredible footwork. We'll be keeping our eye on him next year.
From China, Cao Ming Hu was the player to watch. This point guard was blessed with creativity and was dropping dimes like it was nobody's business. At age 14, he just came onto the Chinese basketball scene and already has an offer to play for Shanghai next year. Let's hope that they don't lock him down for too long and we can see him in North America.
The Pat Burke U-14 Invitational
In New Zealand, the Kiwis were in full force, as well as some great Aussie talents.
Aussie Pete Goodger remains the biggest kid in camp, standing 6'9" at age 14 and expected to continue growing. All of his traits have improved, but he still wasn't the best player in camp. He averaged 15.4 ppg and 9.8 rpg as well as 2.8 bpg. Scouts expect him to be in the B- D D C+ C+ A range and trainers imagine he will hit 7-feet in height.
Iarere Ballantyne was also back and at age 12 was the tournament MVP. New Zealand residents have already anointed him as the great Kiwi hope and Pat Burke himself was giving Ballantyne pointers. Ballantyne drove to the hoop with ease en route to averaging 22.3 ppg. He wowed the crowd with his advance ball handling and creativity around the basket.
Roger Howell ran the point and looked spectacular doing so. The Aussie brought back memories of Brad Newley tearing up the U-14 tournament several years ago, but many imagine that Howell will be a much better player.
These prospects will be available between the years 2013 and 2016 in the BBS.
2009 Sarunas Marciulionis U-14 Tournament of Champions
A lot of young athletes brought their A-game this year.
Sven Andersson returned even better than last year and just went after it! The young forward averaged 9.4 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.1 spg and 1.1 bpg, but those numbers simply do not do justice to how hard he works on the floor. Scouts say that by the time he enters the 2014 or 2015 draft, his ratings could be in the area code of C B- C A- B A, which is quite unique for a small forward. Trainers that we spoke to say that they expect Andersson to be around 6'7" 215 pounds by the time he enters the draft, but obviously time will tell.
This camp was also a showcase for two up and comers on the Lithuanian scene. Azuolas Kanauskas was dropping bombs from three point range like his name was Peja Stojakovic and at age 13, he stands at a remarkable 6'5", which allowed him to shoot over just about anyone at the camp. He averaged tournament highs of 23.7 ppg on 58% shooting. Considering most of those were three point shots, it was very impressive.
Gedeminas Stankauskas was the other young star. At age 12, he looked more polished than most of the 14 year olds. He probably won't be in the draft until around 2016, but keep your eyes on this shooting guard because he can drive to the basket with ease and already has a polished jump shot that is to be feared.
This tournament was particularly special because 6'9" 14-year old wonder kid Boris Dimitrov made the trip from Russia. "The Bear" as they call him was relentless in the paint and made it look easy. People say that he's the next Pavel Podkolzine, but those people forget that Podkolzine had gigantism and was never formally taught the game of basketball. Dimitrov has been working with some of Europe's finest coaches.
The Li-Ning U-14 Asian Basketball Summit
There was a lot of interesting talent but it was mostly overshadowed by the return of "The Korean Jordan"
Duck-Young Bak returned at age 13 and absolutely tore this tournament apart. He made most other players look downright foolish. He made it his mission to dunk on just about everyone. He cruised to the MVP spot and averaged 28.2 ppg. I spoke to some scouts who say that when the 2014 or 2015 draft rolls around, he should be in the B+ C C C+ C A range and trainers expect him to reach 6'6", which would be the ideal height for a swingman. Bak needs to hit the gym though or he may never be able to play SF in the bigs.
Some people recognize Yuta Tabuse as the best Japanese player ever, but that may change when Hiro Tanaka is through. At age 13, Tanaka made it over for this tournament, despite the Chinese government's best efforts to keep him out. Tanaka is a power forward with immense skill and blessed with great size. As a follower of martial arts, he was bred with toughness and incredible footwork. We'll be keeping our eye on him next year.
From China, Cao Ming Hu was the player to watch. This point guard was blessed with creativity and was dropping dimes like it was nobody's business. At age 14, he just came onto the Chinese basketball scene and already has an offer to play for Shanghai next year. Let's hope that they don't lock him down for too long and we can see him in North America.
The Pat Burke U-14 Invitational
In New Zealand, the Kiwis were in full force, as well as some great Aussie talents.
Aussie Pete Goodger remains the biggest kid in camp, standing 6'9" at age 14 and expected to continue growing. All of his traits have improved, but he still wasn't the best player in camp. He averaged 15.4 ppg and 9.8 rpg as well as 2.8 bpg. Scouts expect him to be in the B- D D C+ C+ A range and trainers imagine he will hit 7-feet in height.
Iarere Ballantyne was also back and at age 12 was the tournament MVP. New Zealand residents have already anointed him as the great Kiwi hope and Pat Burke himself was giving Ballantyne pointers. Ballantyne drove to the hoop with ease en route to averaging 22.3 ppg. He wowed the crowd with his advance ball handling and creativity around the basket.
Roger Howell ran the point and looked spectacular doing so. The Aussie brought back memories of Brad Newley tearing up the U-14 tournament several years ago, but many imagine that Howell will be a much better player.
These prospects will be available between the years 2013 and 2016 in the BBS.
