European Prospects

Today starts the Euroleague Qualification Phase with the first games of the 2010-2011 season. 15 teams compete in two-games elimination match-ups for the remaining two spots in the Regular Season of the Euroleague. We took a quick look at the players to follow during these 3 elimination rounds that determine the two last competitors.

Alexis Tanghe (2m08 – PF – 1990 – Chorale de Roanne)

Tanghe came from the French team JDA Dijon where he saw a lot of minutes last season. Now, he needs to make the next step and he is getting the necessary minutes as a back-up PF in Roanne. The size, his shot and good touch are the advantages of the 1990 born player but he needs to get more physical in order to become a regular contributor.

Milan Macvan (2m05 – PF – 1989 – Hemofarm Vrsac)

Rumors are all around that Milan Macvan can or will leave Hemofarm. But as of today, he is still a player of the Serbian team and will play the Euroleague qualifiers against Hapoel Galil-Gilboa tonight. The PF has however joined the team late because of the World Championship in Turkey so it will be interesting to see in which physical condition he is. He remains one of the most promising players in Europe on his position and should help the team from Vrsac to qualify for the next round.

Danilo Andusic (1m98 – SG – 1991 – Hemofarm Vrsac)

The 1991 born shooter comes out of an interesting first season in the Serbian League where he averaged 10.9ppg with Mega Vizura before joining Hemofarm later on. It will be interesting to see if he can become a regular contributor already this season with a potential Euroleague team. His quick shot release will be a major option if teams will play zone against them. On the other hand, Andusic needs to progress on his drive in order to become a more versatile offensive threat.

Ioann Iarochevitch (2m09 – PF – 1989 – Spirou Charleroi)

The 1989 born Belgian player who grew up with the Dynamo Moscow Junior Teams is a bit of a surprise of the pre-season of Spirou. He had some interesting games, and scored 8pts in the Belgian Super-Cup last weekend. With his size (2m09) and mobility, he may be one of the players who makes the next step this season after having excelled on youth level over the last years.

Sead Sehovic (2m01 – SF – 1989 – Buducnost)

The Montenegrin forward needs to increase his scoring this season in order to make the next step. He mainly used his three-point shot as first offensive option over the last years despite not putting great numbers on the table.

Bojan Dublejvic (2m05 – PF – 1991 – Buducnost)

An interesting addition to the Buducnost roster this summer is the 1991 born PF Bojan Dublejvic who comes from Lovcen Cetinje where he averaged 13.6ppg in the newly created Balkan League. The 2m05 tall player was also a member of the Montenegrin U20 National Team that finished 6th this summer in Croatia. He averaged 15.0ppg and 7.8rpg being a year younger than the competition.

Paul Lacombe (1m94 – G – 1990 – ASVEL Basket)

Lacombe lead the French U20 team to a surprising Gold Medal this summer and he is ready to make a good season with ASVEL now. He is currently used as a combo-guard and mainly on the SG position by his coaching staff while his future is probably on the PG. His excellent understanding of the game and good athletic abilities should help him to play an important role for the French team right from the start.

Leo Westermann (1m98 – G – 1992 – ASVEL Basket)

Sixth months after his severe knee injury, Leo Westermann is back on the court and helped his team with 6 points in the last quarter of the final friendly game against Vive Menorca on Friday to secure the win. It is not sure if he will see minutes on the court today but at least, he proved that he is able to play again and that he seems not to have lost anything of his talent.

Bangaly Fofana (2m12 – C – 1989 – ASVEL Basket)

The long Fofana will be used as a back-up Center in the French team. He needs to improve his offensive skills to more than just dunks and put-backs in order to become a better option in the offensive. Defensively, he is present with his shot blocking skills and long arms but needs to improve his decision making.

Edwin Jackson (1m91 – G – 1989 – ASVEL Basket)

After a scoring season with Rouen, Edwin Jackson will try to bring his energy from the bench with a stronger team. The new three-point line will be no problem for him and his athletic abilities help him to overcome his size deficits on the SG position. Jackson will probably be used as a defensive stopper as well during moments.

Antoine Diot (1m91 – G – 1989 – Le Mans)

He seems to be there for years but Antoine Diot is still only 21 years old. An injury prevented him to play for the French National Team this summer but he could therefore do the whole preparation with Le Mans which confirmed him as the Starting PG of the team.

Henri Kahudi (1m89 – G – 1991 – Le Mans)

After seeing some minutes during the Play-offs last summer, Henri Kahudi may be one of the surprises for Le Mans this season. The athletic guard can be used in a role as defensive stopper but he is not afraid either to take his chance and score. He finished with 11pts on Saturday in the last preseason game versus Caja Laboral and he seems to be a part of the rotation this season.