August ENGELHARDT MOLLER

Denmark | 6’10 | Big | Per Game Stats: 14.8 pts, 11.0 rebs, 1.4 asts

Engelhardt Moller is a mobile big with some ability to come outside and attack closeouts. He makes great use of his pivot foot once he’s isnde, not panicking with the ball but instead looking to find the best opportunity to score. He can contort his body and adjust despite his size, which combined with the finishing package he possesses, puts him in a great position to score at the basket. Has the ability to pass on the move, which is such an intriguing trait at 6’10. Defensively, he’s more of a rim protector who’s patient, but doesn’t jump out the gym to go get blocks.

Areas of development: seems to be more of an inside big who can step out at times. The shot isn’t broken of course, but it’s still in its early stages of development. Will follow closely his ability to play on the move, both as a driver, a finisher and even a passer.

Luka Leni UKIC

Croatia | 6’1 | Guard | Per Game Stats: 14.0 pts, 2.8 rebs, 1.8 asts

Credit: FIBA

Fresh off his 15th birthday, Ukic was one of the youngest players in Division B, but played like someone who’s been here for years. The slim guard takes good care of the ball, organizing his team’s offense without any fear and keeping the ball under pressure. Has a tight handle, close to his body and gets in a low stance when attacking the rim, to get around defenders and into the paint. Tries to get to the basket as often as possible and does a great job of getting there, with interesting resources as a finisher. Has the ability to stop from three but doesn’t come to him as easily as the paint attacks. Good passer with incredible fluidity from dribble to pass with either hand. He doesn’t shy away from trying new things with the dribble and being creative with his passing.

Areas of development: Taking into account the on-ball volume, he’ll need to find a comfortable go-to move as a shooter, with defenders learning to take away his drives. Also, he’s mostly a layup finisher once inside and finding ways to finish differently will help him as he keeps evolving and developing his body.

Diego FERRERAS

Spain | 6’5 | Guard | Per Game Stats: 11.7 pts, 3.1 rebs, 1.4 asts

Ferreras profiles as an intriguing shooter who uses the attention given to his outside prowess as a way to get inside to finish. He’s highly efficient at the basket, showing up there as a closeout attacker or backdoor cutter, with great body control and quickness to get a shot off. Outside, he can go up off the catch or off movement, with a quick trigger that doesn’t allow much reaction from the defense. Put up shots pretty quickly and has a repeatable form. Defensively, he’s active and can serve as the main point of attack defender. Tries to put pressure on the ball handler and doesn’t rest until the ball is out of his man’s hands.

Areas of development: will continue to follow his evolution as a shooter and some of his creation with the ball. If there is a path to become a steady contributor off the dribble to get inside – given his efficiency at the rim – and to find other ways to get his outside shot flying, he can become a pretty interesting player to follow.

Eshel LEWINTHAL

Israel | 6’4 | Forward | Per Game Stats: 18.4 pts, 4.3 rebs, 3.0 asts

One of the best scorers in Division A, Lewinthal impresses with the number of ways he can find a score and hit difficult shots. With a high usage, he plays the pick and roll to either get inside or stop quickly for a pull-up mid-range jumper. Doesn’t force the issue, remains calm and finds pockets of space to get comfortable and take his shot. Loves the outside shot and can hit on pull ups, step backs or spot up opportunities. The volume is there, but so is the accuracy of his outside attempts. Passes the ball well, being able to control an offense, getting inside and dishing to the roller or getting the ball to an open shooter. Works well as a shot creator with high volume and responsibility.

Areas of development: there are steps to take as he develops physically in the way he drives to the basket and finds scores once there. The outside shot seems to be a given at this point, with tremendous versatility. Finding consistent ways to finish inside or even from mid-range can catapult him to becoming one of the best guards and shot creators of his generation.

Markuss KESTERIS

Latvia | 6’8 | Forward | Per Game Stats: 11.1 pts, 6.4 rebs, 0.6 asts

Kesteris pops every time you watch him. Impressive athleticism and explosion at the rim, he’s capable of turning any simple play into a highlight. Plays mostly off the ball, despite some willingness to handle in the open court. Cuts behind the defense and attacks closeouts well to get to the basket, where his physical tools give him an advantage. Puts himself in position to fight for every offensive rebound and wins that battle often, with great timing and quick leaping ability. As a defender, he showcases quick reactions and blocks shots at a good rate coming from the help side. Makes great use of his athleticism on both ends.

Areas of development: the athletic ability is a great calling card, but the difference at his age would always be noticeable. Having those tools, if he can add some creation ability, even if it’s just from the low post, it could transform his game.

Joseph TALA

Finland | 6’8 | Forward | Per Game Stats: 9.9 pts, 8.3 rebs, 1.0 asts

Tala participated in his second U16 EuroBasket and what’s impressive is that he may not be done, as he’s eligible for another year. With great size, length and fluidity in his movement, he provides play finishing above the rim and an always moving lob threat. Able to handle in the open court or quickly attack the paint off the catch, he gets inside fast and without much getting in his way. Can shoot the ball from three, despite the volume not being high at the moment. But will let it fly if he has the space with a shooting motion that shows promise. Consistently on the boards, he uses good anticipation and his length, especially when he has some space to gain balance, to grab rebounds. Can protect the rim as a secondary piece, coming to help out inside with his frame.

Areas of development: the physical tools call for more involvement on the defensive process: more pressure on and off the ball, more risk going for steals and a bigger predisposition to protect the basket. Offensively, there is space to try more things with the ball in the half court, looking to be more assertive as a driver.

Jakub CHALOUPKA

Czechia | 6’5 | Wing | Per Game Stats: 15.3 pts, 8.1 rebs, 1.7 asts

A wing with guard-like skills, Chaloupka is amazing at controlling the tempo of the game. Knows when to accelerate and when to decelerate, doesn’t force the issue and gets everyone involved. Has good size and length with a slim frame, really quick in the open floor. Gets easy baskets for his team by constantly finding the easier path to the basket and getting there early. He’s like an arrow in the open court or when he catches the ball, straight to the basket with enough speed to evade every opponent. Has good footwork and makes good use of it to get to comfortable and easier pull-ups. He’s an incessant source of paint touches and rim attacks, and he knows how to finish them as well, with touch and body control. Can shoot occasionally from three if the open attempt is there. He’s also a terrific defender, on and off the ball. Quick hands and always opportunistic in the way he tricks offensive players into showing him the ball to then snatch it.

Areas of development: great package of finishing moves, which can become really hard to stop if accompanied by great on-ball creation. The glimpses are there, but he’s more of an off-catch finisher than anything else. Adding to that, his outside shooting looks good enough to be a tool of his in the future, so I’m looking forward for an uptick in volume.

Demir OZTURK

Turkiye | 6’7 | Wing | Per Game Stats: 13.3 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.1 asts

Interesting profile as a versatile wing who can score inside and outside, with broad shoulders and a strong body. Shoots with confidence on spot ups or on pull ups, with great potential to become an excellent weapon from the perimeter. Has a quick trigger and defenders close to him aren’t that much of a bother, as he doesn’t hesitate to go up. Uses that ability to shoot as a way to get inside off hard closeouts or when defenders get too close, being able to finish through contact. Shows good footwork inside, not going for the first opportunity he has, but rather using fakes and trying to find the best available finish at the basket.

Areas of development: I believe he’s capable of branching out even more as a shooter, becoming more of a movement shooter and transferring that to some of his inside attacks. With his physical tools, being able to be constantly on the move while being a threat as an at the basket finisher could prove to help immensely.

Benjamin BERROUET

Latvia | 6’8 | Forward | Per Game Stats: 11.1 pts, 9.3 rebs, 1.7 asts

2010-born Benjamin Berrouet was one of the surprises of the U16 EuroBasket, producing consistently for Latvia. A blend of 4 and 5, he already has great height but is poised to develop even more physically. Skilled player who can create from the low post and also come out, where his driving instincts and shooting ability are intriguing. Plays more inside or around the mid-range area and is a big threat as a roller to either finish plays, catch the ball in the short roll and use 1-2 dribbles to get inside or get the ball to a teammate when the defense converges. Looking to get on the mix for rebounds all the time, he was fourth in Division A in rebounds and the best by a big margin on the offensive end (4.1 offensive boards/game).

Areas of development: interested to follow his development as he adds muscle, with him still looking pretty young in his build despite the size. If it helps him with his speed and ability to get off the ground, he can transform into an inside-out matchup problem as a forward/big.

Mattia RUGGERI

Italy | 6’8 | Wing | Per Game Stats: 7.6 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.6 asts

Mattia Ruggeri looks and plays more mature than his age indicates. The processing speed, the decisions taken, the use of his body, are not things you usually see in a 16-year old. Already well-developed, he plays mostly off the ball, looking to cut to the open space or attacking as soon as he catches the ball. Good finisher through contact, uses his shoulder tos tave off defenders at the basket when he’s finishing in stride. When he catches near the basket, he uses his pivot foot really well in order to find the best opportunity available. He’s patient in his approach and rarely goes for impulsive decisions. Look good on the little opportunities he takes as a shooter. Smart defender on the wing with good laterality and the ability to cover ground and read plays, appearing in the spots where the ball will fall before the offense and taking away easy chances.

Areas of development: the volume of his outside shooting can help with his rim attacks, as defenders give him space and force him to work around it. The shot needs work of course and he may never be a knock down, versatile shooter. But not forcing the issue inside and being confident when taking an outside shot may open up great avenues inside.