European Prospects

Today there are no games but here are the picks about yesterday’s action in Mannheim.

• Kostas Sloukas has joined the Greek team and when he is fully integrated, he will probably form the best backcourt of the tournament.
• Staying with the Greek team, Nikos Pappas was unstoppable by the US team despite always doing the same move. Penetration with the left hand and scoring layups with his left hand. This was the best individual performance I have seen so far in the tournament.
• France is really the big disappointment so far for me. Besides showing no will and arrogant play, the team totally fails to attack a zone. Unsteady playmaking and even no defense pressure make the poor showing perfect. There is a lot of work for Philippe Ory and his staff before the U18 EC in summer.
• Despite a unlucky start, Mangisto Arop showed why he is considered as the best prospect in the Canadian team. Excellent fakes and good athletic abilities round up his good shooting and al-around skills.
• The qualified nations for the Top8 are: Turkey, Australia, Sweden, Canada, Argentina, Greece, Spain and the USA. Sweden and Canada may have been considered as a surprise before the tournament but their performances totally are worth to assure the qualification in a tournament that until now really misses a true super star potential (at least at a NBA level).
• Unfortunately, I can not be in Mannheim during the week and will only go back on Saturday for the Final day. Any reports by present persons can be send to me and I will publish them.