Solobasket.com presents to you a report with the best U18 players in Spanish clubs. Although we cannot talk about the next Ricky Rubio or Víctor Claver, there have been several performance worthy to mention.
Tornike Shengelia, 2.03, Forward, Pamesa Sunny Delight Valencia (Georgia)
15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 21.6 efficiency ranking
This young Georgian player has already played for his National Team. He was one of the top prospects in the tournament, despite not having reached the level of last year's edition. He was one of the guys with more experience in professional basketball, but this has been a drawback for him, not being able to come back to his role at the junior age.
He has been playing the '4' position during the whole tournament, coming off the bench to lead his team. His development will be headed to the small forward position, though. Good frame and good athleticism. He always looks for the 1on1 on the offensive side with a quick first step. his dribbling is good for a player his size, but he must still get better if he wants to play at the '3' position. His shooting abilities must improve as well. Now it takes too much time for him to release the ball, and must be completely balanced to be effective.
He is creative when finishing plays, but he has not shown much at the tournament, but dunks. He is intense in the paint, with good timing for blocking and rebounding. It seems he has played at 50% during the tournament.
Augusto César Lima, 2.05, Power Forward, Unicaja Málaga (Brazil)
15.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 24.8 efficiency ranking
The Brazilian power forward has been the reference point for his teammates. His athletic skills are superb and his physical condition too. He is a very interesting prospect for the future, still lacking of some technical abilities. He must improve his low-post game, although he is quick to release a hook shot when playing there. He has an acceptable basketball IQ to see the open man and his mates' cuts to the basket.
He takes advantage of his coordinated body and athleticism to grab rebounds under both rims, block shots and run the court. Most of his points come after offensive rebounds, lacking some mastering on other offensive resources, despite being able to shoot from the mid-range and even long-range if left alone. He can also play 1on1.
He must improve his defense.
Josep Franch, 1.90, Point Guard, DKV Joventut (Spain)
13.5 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 19.5 efficiency ranking
He got injured in the 7th minute of his team's game against Sant Josep. He had to be taken from the court in a stretcher crying in pain.
Until then he was playing very well, after not having convinced anybody during the season. He is very creative in offense, able to perfectly read the game and to pass the ball. He loves to go 1on1 or to play 2on2, with great and quick dribbling skills that allow him to penetrate and pass the ball or finish with a layup.
He can shoot from the mid-range off the dribble. He is not so consistent from beyond the arc. He is a good defensive rebounder, and loves to star a fast-break after grabbing one defensive rebound. He is a good defender.
Jefferson Froelich, 1.98, Guard, Majadahonda Spartans (Brazil)
13.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.25 assists, 17 efficiency ranking
The underdog of the tournament, with best playing sensations than stat sheet. He was the hero in the games against powerhouses Real Madrid and Fuenlabrada, that didn't make to the final Tournament. He can play in every position at the backcourt, but his role should develope more into the point guard position. He has an adequate body and notable athletic capabilities for this position.
He can make everything on a basketball court. Froelich has played three games ailing from an injury, but in spite of that he could excite the people on the stands. He's been the only player to get a standing ovation in one game after a substitution.
Maybe he lacks some hand-handling skills, but is strong enough to grab rebounds, runs well the court, is good finishing with penetrations passing the ball or scoring himself and shooting off the dribble. He must improve his consistency though.
He has been the most interesting prospect of the tournament.
Samuel Domínguez, 2.04, Power Forward, La Caja Canarias Gran Canaria (Spain)
19.4 pts, 10.2 rbs, 25.2 eff
He is very intense power forward, very constant, hard-worker player. Samuel has been the best player of the tournament (in numbers) after having also won the Rome Tournament and having played the NIJT in Berlin.
He is very skinny and a good athlete. He may have not excellent skills, but reads well the game, even when not in possession of the ball. He takes advatange of his abilities for rebounding in offense to score. Has good mindset to play 2x2 and pick n' roll. His main drawback are his lack defensive attitude.
Óscar Alvarado, 1.84, Point Guard, La Caja Canarias Gran Canaria (Spain)
10.4 pts, 4.6 rbs, 5.4 ass, 12.8 eff
He's led the final ranking for assists, but has not displayed his best basketball of the season. He is a pure point guard, who can drive his team, but also score. This, though, has been his major problem during the championships, where he failed to make his shots.
Lacks of an athletic body, but he is quick and agressive in offense, always looking for the penetration or the pick n' roll. His best strength is his commitment to lead his team on the court. His weakness comes in defense, where he must improve.
Joan Tomàs, 2.00, Small Forward, DKV Joventut (Spain)
11.8 pts, 7.6 rbs, 17.2 eff
Arguably the best Spanish 1992-born player. He has not perform at his best in the tournament, though. His potential from the small forward position is very high, with superb skills for passing, ball-handling, dribbling and scoring.
Alex Ramón, 1.86, Point Guard, Euskotran Baskonia (Spain)
20.5 pts, 5.7 rbs, 1.7 ass, 20.7 eff
The best player in the host team. He has won the best scorer award. Of course, he is a great scorer with strong legs. His best source of points comes from lay-ups and shots off the dribble. He is also a good shooter from beyond the arc.
Mallick Fall, 2.10, Center, Unicaja Málaga
10.8 pts, 11.8 rbs, 16.6 eff
Another 1992-born player, who has led the tournament in rebounds per game. He takes advantage of his lanky body. 210 centimeter are akey factor in an U18 category. He started to play basketball not long ago and that's why he must still improve on every aspect of the game.
Bakary Konate, 2.06, Center, La Caja Canarias Gran Canaria
6.6 pts, 6.2 rbs, 11.4 eff
We add this 15 years old to this list not for his performance in the tournament, but for the fact that he is a great prospect at his age. Skilled for the rebound, Konato is a hard worker with a good defensive attitude.
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