European Prospects

In the second part of the analysis of the best 1992 born players in Spain, the experts from www.futurestars.uk.com came up with 5 players that do not have a Spanish background but are already factors in the ACB or have big potential.

Marko Todorovic – 2m10 – PF – 1992 – CB Prat Joventut

Marko Todorovic arrived to Spain in the 09-10 season and is developing his game every season. He’s a hard working player with a professional attitude, those qualities made him debut with FIATC Joventut last season and his fighting spirit helps him to produce in almost every action. He had already a brilliant performance in his first season game (LEB Silver) with a double double (12 points, 10 rebounds) showing he’s close to ACB level.

General

• Has improved physically
• Fast player for his size
• He fights for every ball
• Needs to raise his activity level

Offense

• He is a great offensive rebounder
• Worked left hand, he can finish left penetrations with great efficiency
• Good first step for a power forward, effective dribbler
• Consistent three point shooter from the wings
• Good player in pick and roll actions
• Good footwork in low post, uses fakes with great success
• His passing skills are correct but sometimes makes soft passes
• Has to improve his ball control, reducing turnovers
• Slow shot mechanics

Defense

• Good shot blocker
• Great defensive rebounder
• Hard defender in low post
• Has to raise his speed in lateral movements
• His help in man to man defense is sometimes mistimed and not decisive
• Has foul trouble in pick and roll flash actions

Lucas Riva Nogueira “Bebe” – 2m10 – Center – 1992 – Estudiantes

Lucas Riva was a sensation in EBA league last season. His name appears in all NBA scouts reports. He’s a big man with all the conditions to have a brilliant future, but we must first not forget that currently his weaknesses make him a limited player. He needs to work and be tested on a higher level to turn this possible brilliant future into a solid present career.

General     

• Great physical conditions, very good running the court, huge vertical jump
• Has huge arms; 7’6’’ wing span
• He has a lack of strength and needs to bulk up
• Sometimes has lapses in concentration

Offense

• He is able to dunk almost every ball inside the paint
• He has a solid half distance shot
• Good hands
• He is very active in offensive rebounds
• Correct passing skills
• Has to improve his low post skills
• He needs to raise his free throw percentage

Defense

• Big time shot blocker
• Very secure defensive rebounder
• His basketball IQ in collective defense should be improved

Rafa Freire Luz – 1m88 – PG – 1992 – Lucentum Alicante

Rafael Freire Luz comes from a family of basketball players. He has had a solid career in leagues like EBA-D and LEB Gold. He shows maturity and great capacity for hard work allowing him to improve quickly.  Currently he’s playing good minutes for Lucentum Alicante in ACB and has been an instrumental part of their successful start to the season for this young and exciting team. If he continues to improve his point guard game and court vision at this current pace he can be targeting the NBA in the medium term.

General  

• Great physical conditioning: explosive footwork, aggressive strong player
• Two ACB seasons experience
• High basketball IQ
• In younger age categories he used to play a lot in shooting guard position and now has to adapt to play exclusively point guard

Offense

• Good in penetrations, can finish easily with both hands
• Excellent ball handling
• Has improved his court vision and feel for the game
• Great passing skills, he’s able to make all kind of passes with both hands
• Good footwork in mid range jump shots
• Has to raise his shooting percentage
• His court vision can still improved, controlling turnovers
• He needs to be more confident with three point shots

Defense

• High activity makes him a pesky defender
• Very quick lateral movement
• His quick hands allow him to be a prominent ball stealer, always alert in passing lines
• Good concepts in zone defense
• Sometimes tends to commit unnecessary fouls
• His understanding of team defense could be better

Haukur Palsson – 1m98 – Forward – 1992 – Assignia Manresa

Haukur Palsson had an almost unnoticed season in Maryland University, but he’s been a great surprise in ACB league. Initially signed to EBA-C Assignia Manresa second team, the injury of Sergiy Gladir and his work capacity allowed him to gain minutes and the respect of his head coach Jaume Porsanau of Manresa’s first team in ACB. He showed his score capacity in European U-18 and U-20 Championship and has now adapted to help his team in many other ways. If he continues to develop his game like this he is sure to have a brilliant future.

General

• Physically very strong player
• High basketball IQ
• Very complete player on both sides of the court
• He’s an immensely talented all round player

Offense

• He’s a good scorer
• Great off-ball game, spacing and cutting
• Good usage of left hand
• High percentages in three point and mid range jump shots
• Aggressive penetrator
• He can improve three point shot after pass
• Slow shot mechanics

Defense

• Very defensively minded player
• Quick lateral movement
• Effective player in help defense and zone defense
• Great defensive rebounder
• He can defend in low post against bigger players
• Very quick hands allow him to steal the ball
• Sometimes he is in foul trouble

Raul Togni Neto – 1m85 – PG – 1992 – Lagun Aro

Raulzinho Neto has for the 09/10 and 10/11 seasons been playing and developing his game in the Brazilian NBB. During his first season he was one of the best rookies in the league, in his second season he became one of the key players in his team. In need to prove himself in a higher competition he made the move to ACB, which was helped by his Italian citizenship. Lagun Aro signed him last summer and in the first few games of this season he has been a surprise package and in the very near future could establish himself as a solid contributor in ACB.

General  

• Very talented player
• Natural leadership
• Great footwork on both sides of the court
• He has to continue to gain strength

Offense

• Very good court vision and reads the game very well
• Excellent ball handling and dribbling
• Explosive in penetrations with a nice change of speed
• Very good jump shot front mid range and dependable three point shooter
• Good passing skills
• Still room to improve his passing decisions
• Need to be more efficient in long rage shots
• His left hand skills could be improved

Defense

• Good defensive position
• Quick lateral movement
• Quick hands
• Sometimes does not read team defense very well
• Could become a more aggressive defender