European Prospects

Sasu Salin probably wasn’t among the favorites to get a spot in the Nike Hoop Summit roster, but it seems he was a bit unhappy with the snub. Check the report we got from our Finnish friend Hippo about the 1991 born guard from Honka Espoon Playboys.

Last Monday, Salin’s Honka Playboys was down 69-86 against Finnish league 4th KTP-Basket three minutes before the end of last Monday’s game. Sasu had 10 points, one steal and one offensive rebound in the final minutes in an impressive 95-92 comeback victory.

Salin had 18 points (FGs 6/13 FTs 4/4), four steals and two rebounds in 20 minutes of play against KTP. He has been averaging 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.0 assists in 23.2 minutes a game with veteran-filled Honka Playboys this season while improving his field goal percentages (2p 47,6%, 3p 41,4%). Three years ago, Petteri Koponen made the Nike Hoop Summit World Team roster while averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists a game.

While a majority of young guns in Finnish League have slowed down as the season has progressed, Sasu has just gotten better. In last 12 games, Sasu has been averaging 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.6 assists with percentages of 51.8% (2pt%), 40.3% (3pt%) and 76.9% (Ft%).

Salin has started 22 out of 41 Honka Playboys games this season.
Honka is one of the most experienced teams in the league, with three national team veterans (Jukka Matinen, Tuukka Kotti and Tuomas Iisalo), three experienced American players (Corey Belser/Gerald Riley, Carl Elliot and Monte Cummings) and one Canadian national team player (Ryan Bell).

Former Euroleague coach Gordon Herbert coached the team until January. Earlier this year Herbert stated that Salin definitely has the talent to become a good Euroleague player. It seems that a few years from now, Koponen might have another young gun alongside him in the Finnish national team backcourt.

written by Hippo