Post by aar on Dec 14, 2008 23:53:21 GMT -5
I just got off the phone with BBS.scout.com's Victor Hendrickson to discuss next year's crop of International talent. Hendrickson has scanned the globe for the best talent out there and has all of the insight needed to determine the next big thing.
Flavijus Stankevičius, C, 7'2" 255 lbs.
Expected ratings: B- C- C+ C+ C+ A
Hendrickson's Grade: A
Hendrickson says:
Flava Flav is back again and this time he has worked hard to step up his rebounding and outside shooting in preparation for this year's draft. He opted out of the last one when he wasn't given a promise in the lottery. This year, he's hoping to round out the top-5.
Flav will get his teammates involved, take good shots and work hard on both ends of the floor for whoever drafts him. I expect him to come off the bench at first, but eventually develop into one of the better starting centers if he continues his incredible development.
Azuolas Kanauskas, SF, 7'0" 225 lbs.
Expected Ratings: C+ B+ C C C- A
Hendrickson's Grade: B+
Hendrickson says:
In all likelihood, Kanauskas is the next Peja Stojakovic. This guy is a dead-eye gunner from outside and his size enables him to shoot over anyone.
Like most European sharpshooters, his toughness is questionable and he lacks skill on the boards, but when it comes to hitting big shots, he'll shoot the lights out.
If you are running an outside-oriented system or have a great distributor at the point, Kanauskas will not disappoint.
Iarere Ballantyne, SG, 6'5" 200 lbs.
Expected Ratings: B B- C C C- A
Hendrickson's Grade: A-
Hendrickson says:
Ballantyne is the best player that New Zealand has ever had to offer. The Kiwi Kid as they call him is an absolute phenom. He drives to the hoop at will and also has an incredible jump shot.
The only issue with him is that he's incredible on one end of the floor, but passionless on the other. He doesn't man up on defense or hit the boards.
On offensive prowess alone, he should be a top-10 pick.
Brett Jenkins, SF, 6'8" 203 lbs.
Expected Ratings: B- C B- C B- A
Hendrickson's Grade: B+
Hendrickson says:
Jenkins is an exceptionally unique player. He reminds me a lot of Boris Diaw. He loves to move the ball around, get tough inside and grab boards. He is a tenacious player who is very well-rounded.
Teams love Jenkins because they can plug him in at three positions (SF, SF and PF) and he will give it his all. Not to mention that he has played the point at times because of how well he takes care of the ball. He hates turning the ball over and is visibly upset when he does.
Scouts are unsure about how he projects in the pros, they just know that he will be solid.
Other prospects
Salvador Souza, PG. 6'2" 195 lbs.
C C+ B C+ C- A
Hendrickson says: Prolific passer who takes care of the ball and is a natural born leader, but needs to improve the other facets of his game to be more than a backup.
Boris Dimitrov, C, 7'0" 275 lbs.
B C- D C+ C+ C
Hendrickson says: Ready for the pros, but I don't see a lot of room for growth.
Hiro Tanaka , PF, 6'10" 235 lbs.
B C- C- C- B- A
Hendrickson says: The best player in the history of Japanese basketball. loves to score and hit the boards, but doesn't play defense well at all and falls asleep when guarding opponents.
Flavijus Stankevičius, C, 7'2" 255 lbs.
Expected ratings: B- C- C+ C+ C+ A
Hendrickson's Grade: A
Hendrickson says:
Flava Flav is back again and this time he has worked hard to step up his rebounding and outside shooting in preparation for this year's draft. He opted out of the last one when he wasn't given a promise in the lottery. This year, he's hoping to round out the top-5.
Flav will get his teammates involved, take good shots and work hard on both ends of the floor for whoever drafts him. I expect him to come off the bench at first, but eventually develop into one of the better starting centers if he continues his incredible development.
Azuolas Kanauskas, SF, 7'0" 225 lbs.
Expected Ratings: C+ B+ C C C- A
Hendrickson's Grade: B+
Hendrickson says:
In all likelihood, Kanauskas is the next Peja Stojakovic. This guy is a dead-eye gunner from outside and his size enables him to shoot over anyone.
Like most European sharpshooters, his toughness is questionable and he lacks skill on the boards, but when it comes to hitting big shots, he'll shoot the lights out.
If you are running an outside-oriented system or have a great distributor at the point, Kanauskas will not disappoint.
Iarere Ballantyne, SG, 6'5" 200 lbs.
Expected Ratings: B B- C C C- A
Hendrickson's Grade: A-
Hendrickson says:
Ballantyne is the best player that New Zealand has ever had to offer. The Kiwi Kid as they call him is an absolute phenom. He drives to the hoop at will and also has an incredible jump shot.
The only issue with him is that he's incredible on one end of the floor, but passionless on the other. He doesn't man up on defense or hit the boards.
On offensive prowess alone, he should be a top-10 pick.
Brett Jenkins, SF, 6'8" 203 lbs.
Expected Ratings: B- C B- C B- A
Hendrickson's Grade: B+
Hendrickson says:
Jenkins is an exceptionally unique player. He reminds me a lot of Boris Diaw. He loves to move the ball around, get tough inside and grab boards. He is a tenacious player who is very well-rounded.
Teams love Jenkins because they can plug him in at three positions (SF, SF and PF) and he will give it his all. Not to mention that he has played the point at times because of how well he takes care of the ball. He hates turning the ball over and is visibly upset when he does.
Scouts are unsure about how he projects in the pros, they just know that he will be solid.
Other prospects
Salvador Souza, PG. 6'2" 195 lbs.
C C+ B C+ C- A
Hendrickson says: Prolific passer who takes care of the ball and is a natural born leader, but needs to improve the other facets of his game to be more than a backup.
Boris Dimitrov, C, 7'0" 275 lbs.
B C- D C+ C+ C
Hendrickson says: Ready for the pros, but I don't see a lot of room for growth.
Hiro Tanaka , PF, 6'10" 235 lbs.
B C- C- C- B- A
Hendrickson says: The best player in the history of Japanese basketball. loves to score and hit the boards, but doesn't play defense well at all and falls asleep when guarding opponents.
