French guard Akram Naji made FIBA debut with strong physical attributes, excelling in Group Phase with 17.3 points

Posted : 09 August 2023

Making his debut in FIBA competitions, Akram Naji has left a significant impression with his robust physical attributes and versatile offensive skills. The French guard excelled during the Group Phase, leading in assists and securing a place in the top five for scoring, averaging 17.3 points per game with remarkable shooting efficiency – 54.3 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc. As the 16-year-old progresses in Skopje, FIBA contributor Ignacio Rissotto seizes the opportunity to analyze Naji's game through video analysis.

Upon delving into Naji's tape, his ability to navigate through opponents during drives becomes immediately apparent. Standing at 1.93 meters and boasting an impressively strong physique for his age, Naji exhibits remarkable speed with the ball, rendering him a formidable challenge for rival guards due to the momentum he generates towards the rim. Beyond his size and speed, Naji demonstrates an assertive mindset, consistently seeking contact to draw fouls while attacking the basket.

What sets Naji apart as a driver isn't solely his capacity to power through challenges but also his finesse in finishing despite contact. His 56 percent shooting rate inside the arc during the tournament attests to his ability to convert challenging, off-balance shots – a skill derived from his exceptional hangtime and deft touch in motion.

While his adeptness at converting tough shots within the paint adds a captivating dimension, it's worth noting that Naji's limitations in dribbling through congested situations force him into taking such attempts.

Despite displaying good pace and the ability to alter speeds and directions en route to the rim, his ball-handling skills require further refinement, as he sometimes loses possession in crowded spaces and lacks the agility to execute responsive counters.

This occasionally prompts him to halt his dribble a few feet away from the rim, resulting in challenging floaters and off-balance layup attempts.

Regarding perimeter scoring, Naji proves to be a versatile and confident shot creator off the dribble, particularly skilled at exploiting pick-and-roll coverages. When defenders go under screens, Naji capitalizes without hesitation. While his isolation game isn't the most advanced, he effectively leverages footwork and dribbling proficiency to carve out space for his jump shots.

Although the sample size remains relatively small – just 10 attempts across three games – and room for improvement exists in terms of consistency in mechanics, his aptitude for shooting off the dribble and his proficiency both within the paint and beyond the arc bode well for his future projection as a shooter at a higher level.

Despite not conforming to the mold of a traditional floor general, Naji currently leads the competition in assists per game. He effectively capitalizes on the gravity he generates as a driver to create opportunities for open shots for his teammates, both in transition and in half-court situations.

While many of these passes entail straightforward drive-and-kick sequences, Naji displays an impressive level of vision while in motion, exploiting his size to locate teammates over the defense, executing well-timed and precise passes during pick-and-roll scenarios, and employing eye fakes and no-look passes to deceive defenders.

On the flip side, Naji sometimes attempts risky passes that result in turnovers when he throws the ball into congested areas. An area for growth is enhancing his reactivity and minimizing premeditated decision-making. He could benefit from diversifying his passing reads and exercising adaptability to adjust to defenders' reactions.

Defensively, Naji's strength serves as a foundation. Assigned to guard rival guards both on and off the ball, he leverages his physicality advantage to disrupt opposing ball-handlers. Employing a low stance, Naji adeptly contains drivers, preventing them from creating space through physicality.

Off the ball, he displays keen timing in intercepting passes and disrupting plays as a help defender, often causing turnovers by tangling up opponents. Naji's commitment to defense is equally commendable; he maintains consistent communication with teammates on that end of the court and puts in considerable effort, often attempting plays beyond his comfort zone.

Considering the recent history of notable French guards who have stood out in FIBA competitions, Naji's emergence adds to an already impressive legacy. Given his performance in Skopje, characterized by a blend of size, speed, offensive versatility, and defensive contribution at his age, it wouldn't be surprising if Naji's name becomes the next addition to the list that includes talents like Killian Hayes, Theo Maledon, Joel Ayayi, and Frank Ntilikina, who transitioned to the NBA, along with rising stars such as Ilane Fibleuil, Illan Pietrus, and the reigning FIBA U20 European Championship MVP Illias Kamardine, who have embarked on promising professional and collegiate journeys.

French guard Akram Naji made FIBA debut with strong physical attributes, excelling in Group Phase with 17.3 points

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