FIBA U16 European Championship: Ten notable players leave impact

Posted : 09 August 2023

After three eventful days, the Group Phase of the FIBA U16 European Championship has concluded, setting the stage for the upcoming knockout stages. Let's take a closer look at ten standout players who have left their mark during the initial days of action in Skopje.

Alexandros Alexakis - Greece
Greece, a strong contender for the championship, has advanced to the Round of 16 undefeated, with Alexakis playing a pivotal role. His impressive combination of size, mobility, and defensive instincts has made him a formidable defender, causing opponents to miss shots and commit turnovers. Offensively, the Peristeri wing complements Efstratios Papastavrou's on-ball scoring with catch-and-shoot prowess, effective attacks on closeouts, and adept passing on the move.

Arturas Butajevas - Lithuania
Defending U16 champions Lithuania have sustained their dominance, entering the Round of 16 undefeated with a 22-point average margin of victory. Butajevas, boasting a double-double average, has anchored Lithuania's interior presence. His blend of size, length, and touch translates into effective rebounding and finishing around the rim. The 2.00m forward exhibits fluidity, enabling him to create off the dribble and find open perimeter teammates.

Declan Duru - Germany
While Matthieu Grujicic contributes significant scoring, Duru's versatility shines through, as he ranks top five in rebounds, steals, and assists. Germany leverages Duru's unique attributes – size, strength, and fluidity – allowing him to initiate fast breaks from defensive rebounds and make sound decisions with the ball.

Gildas Gimenez - Spain
Spain's balanced and talented roster includes Gimenez, a reliable scorer in the paint who contributes on both ends. His length and athleticism generate defensive plays, while his presence bolsters offensive contributions. Spain's undefeated 3-0 record suggests readiness to avenge last year's U16 Final loss.

Vladimir Komnenovic - Montenegro
Topping the scoring charts, Komnenovic is a versatile offensive threat, excelling at three-point shots and displaying prowess in the paint. Despite his 1.81m stature, his speed and slashing style enable scoring in close quarters. Defensively, his lateral speed aids ball interception and containment.

Ian Lazarevski - Slovenia
Lazarevski stands out as Slovenia's all-around leader in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. His versatility and 2.02m size allow him to exploit mismatches, penetrate the rim, and find open teammates. Proficient beyond the arc, he boasts a 42.9 percent three-point shooting rate.

Achille Lonati - Italy
Italy's 3-0 Group Phase record benefits from Lonati's dynamic scoring, complementing Mathis' playmaking and Perez's athleticism. The Olimpia Milano guard excels in challenging, off-the-dribble three-pointers, converting 37.5 percent. Lonati also contributes defensively and facilitates playmaking.

Aviel Mamo - Israel
Mamo's dominance on the boards, averaging 10.7 rebounds per game, was evident in his 16-point, 18-rebound performance against Finland. His Maccabi Tel-Aviv background contributes to spot-up shooting, transition ball-handling, and defensive impact.

Akram Naji - France
Fueling France's high-scoring offense averaging 95.3 points per game, Naji shines as the engine behind quick transitions and effective decision-making. Leading in assists and ranking top five in scoring, he combines perimeter shooting with robust defense, leveraging his size and strength.

Ognjen Srzentic - Serbia
After a 13th-place finish in 2022, Serbia is resurging, boasting a 2-1 record in the Round of 16. Srzentic's versatile game – smooth ball-handling, adept passing, and versatile shooting – plays a pivotal role in Serbia's revival, amplifying the team's prospects.

As the FIBA U16 European Championship advances, these ten players stand out as key contributors, shaping their respective teams' performances and aspirations in Skopje.

FIBA U16 European Championship: Ten notable players leave impact

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics