Who Am I?
I’m Can Peker Pekcan. I’m 20 years old and addicted to basketball. I have been a writer on several sites and currently appear in videos about Türkiye’s youth league on the Stop Press Medya YouTube channel. I share articles on my Twitter and Medium accounts. I want to be professional scout.
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Hello everyone, in this article I wrote about 10 of my favorite prospects from U16 EuroBasket. I also mentioned the other good prospects in the last part of the article. I am waiting for your comments and opinions.
ÖMER KUTLUAY – TÜRKİYE
Position: G
Team: Real Madrid
Date of birth: 27.03.2009
Height: 6’4″ / 193
U16 EuroBasket stats: 4 GP | 29 MIN | 19 PTS | %54 2PT FG (26/48) | %33 3PT FG (5/15) | %64 FT (9/14) | 4.8 REB | 4 AST | 1.3 STL | 3.8 TO | 16 EFF
Despite being a year younger, Ömer is one of the best prospects in the tournament. He could only play in 4 games, but it was enough for him to show his potential. Finished the tournament as the top scorer.
Good mid-range shooter. Showed off his stop jump shot and fadeaway. Especially showed what I like most about his game against Lithuania, his court vision and passing. Good on defense too.
Needs to improve his 3pt shooting. Also missed some easy layups in the paint. As he gets stronger physically, both his shooting and finishing will improve. I didn’t see any problems with his shooting style. I think his physical development will be good. He is the son of Turkish basketball legend İbrahim Kutluay. He has the potential to be a better player than his father.
2025 U16 EuroBasket will be more decisive for him. If his development continues as I expect, I think he will dominate the 2025 U16 EuroBasket. Türkiye has nice prospects in the 2009. They will definitely be one of the teams to watch next summer.
AARON TOWO-NANSI – FRANCE
Position: G
Team: Cholet
Date of birth: 04.03.2009
Height: 5’9″ / 176
U16 EuroBasket stats: 23 MIN | 8.6 PTS | %43 2PT FG (12/28) | %28 3PT FG (8/29) | %86 FT (12/14) | 5 AST | 2.9 REB | 2.7 STL | 1.3 TO | 12.3 EFF
Aaron Towo-Nansi is one of my favorite prospects at the U16 EuroBasket. He has really good court vision. Played with 3.9 AST/TO. Also has good defensive instincts. Makes up for his size disadvantage with his BBIQ. He is 1 year younger than U16 EuroBasket names and could play again next summer.
Needs to improve his finishing and shooting. Has the potential to be a good scorer, just needs to be more consistent. He is also really undersized, I hope he grows up. I’m looking forward to watching him at the U16 EuroBasket next summer.
RANDY LIVINGSTON JR. – ITALY
Position: G
Team: Isidore Newman
Date of birth: 31.01.2008
Height: 6’2″ / 188
U16 EuroBasket stats: 24 MIN | 14.3 PTS | %42 2PT FG (22/53) | %38 3PT FG (9/24) | %69 FT (29/42) | 4.7 AST | 2.6 REB | 1.4 STL | 2.3 TO | 12.6 EFF
I watched Randy Livingston Jr. for the first time and he is one of my favorite prospects in the U16 EuroBasket. Good court vision and ball handling. Can create for himself and others. Good defender, always pressuring the opponent.
Needs to watch out for foul trouble and easy turnovers. Needs to shoot better from the 2PT FG. Also has room for improvement on free throws. Shot 69% but can definitely improve that.
Keep an eye on him. He is the son of former NBA player Randy Livingston.
CHRYSOSTOMOS CHATZILAMPROU – GREECE
Position: G/F
Team: Aris
Date of birth: 12.07.2008
Height: 6’6″ / 198
U16 EuroBasket stats: 33 MIN | 17.9 PTS | %43 2PT FG (23/54) | %36 3PT FG (20/56) | %68 FT (19/28) | 6 REB | 1.4 AST | 2.4 TO | 13.1 EFF
Chrysostomos Chatzilamprou was selected 2024 U16 EuroBasket All-Star Five.
Lefty guard/wing has a big threat on offense. He can create for himself, can finish with both hands and is a good shooter. Has good shooting mechanics. Nice off-ball movement and cuts. Active on the rebound.
Needs to be consistent, especially from three. Has good wingspan and can use it more actively on defense. Also needs to put more emphasis on assists.
CAMERON HOUINDO – FRANCE
Position: F/C
Team: PFBB INSEP
Date of birth: 10.01.2008
Height: 6’8″ / 2.02
U16 EuroBasket stats: 22 MIN | 13.9 PTS | %55.1 2PT FG (38/69) | %51 FT (21/41) | 7.9 REB | 2.7 TO | 2.3 STL | 2.3 BLK
Cameron Houindo is MVP of the U16 EuroBasket. He led France to the championship.
Really dominant at both ends of the floor. Good size for his age. Has a really good defensive instincts and block timing. 2.3 STL and 2.3 BLK super impressive. Played with 4 STL and 6 BLK in tthe semi-final against Serbia. Always active on the offensive rebound.
Needs to add shooting to his game. He’s not a shooting threat right now, but I think he has the potential to add shooting to his career. Went 0/3 from three, but I think his shooting mechanics is promising. Needs to get better at FTs.
Also played in the U17 World Cup this summer. 13 MIN, 4 PTS, 2.9 REB, 5.9 EFF.
ÖMER EGE ZİYAETTİN – TÜRKİYE
Position: G
Team: Fenerbahçe Beko
Date of birth: 20.06.2008
Height: 6’2″ / 187
U16 EuroBasket stats: 31 MIN | 17.7 PTS | %42 2PT FG (19/45) | %40 3PT FG (20/50) | %81 FT (26/32) | 4.6 REB | 4.3 AST | 1 STL | 5 TO | 13.7 EFF
I watched Ömer Ege Ziyaettin everywhere this year. Basketball Super League, U16 Turkish Championship, U16 İstanbul League, Basketball Youth League and now U16 European Championship. Has already played for Fenerbahçe Beko – a EuroLeague team – and scored 21 pts (7 3PT) in Basketball Super League.
One of the best shooters in 2008. Made 8 three-pointers on the first day. I like Ömer Ege’s confidence. Hard to stop once he finds his rhythm. Helps with rebounds. Good on free throws.
Needs to improve his court vision and his passing. Had a hard time withstanding the opponent’s pressure. Definitely needs to improve on the defensive end. His physical development will be important for his career.
ANDREJ BJELIC – SERBIA
Position: G
Team: Real Madrid
Date of birth: 17.03.2008
Height: 6’4″ / 194
U16 EuroBasket stats: 32 MIN | 18.4 PTS | %34 2PT FG (18/53) | %37 3PT FG (22/59) | %82 FT (27/33) | 6.7 REB | 2.9 AST | 1 STL | 2.1 TO | 15.7 EFF
Andrej Bjelic was selected 2024 U16 EuroBasket All-Star Five.
One of the best shooters in U16 EuroBasket. Nice shooting mechanics. Takes responsibility in the clutch time. Active on the rebound. Gives good signals on playmaking. His defense is solid.
Consistency will be the key for Bjelic’s career. In round 16 he played with 8/9 from 3, but in the quarter finals he played with 1/9 from 3. He also has a low two-point shooting percentage.
If he can become more consistent, he will be an important scorer.
JAVIER VIGUER – SPAIN
Position: F
Team: Valencia
Date of birth: 26.02.2008
Height: 6’8″ / 2.02
U16 EuroBasket stats: 22 MIN | 12.7 PTS | %65 2PT FG (22/34) | %24 3PT FG (9/37) | %78 FT (18/23) | 6 REB | 2.6 AST
It would be fair to say that Javier Miguer led Spain to the final. He played tremendously in the clutch time of the semi-final. When he is on the court, Spain are +120 (all of the tournament). Good in the paint. Active on rebounds. Shows some good playmaking signals. Only 23 minute, he played with 15 PTS, 10 REB, 9 AST against Italy in quarter-finals. Good at free throws. Also a good defensive player.
He needs to improve his 3-pt. Needs to be more consistent. Even when he can’t shoot, he finds a way to contribute to his team.
IGNAS STOMBERGAS – LITHUANIA
Position: F/C
Team: Zalgiris Kaunas
Date of birth: 21.02.2008
Height: 6’6″ / 198 – This information is questionable for me. FIBA listed him as 6’6″ but i think he is taller than that. EuroLeague listed him as 6’9″ (2.05).
U16 EuroBasket stats: 19 MIN | 10.6 PTS | %51 2PT FG (25/49) | %60 FT (24/40) | 8.6 REB | 1.3 AST | 1.3 TO | 3.1 BLK | 17.1 EFF
Ignas Stombergas is one of the standout players in U16 EuroBasket. He is 1st place in blocks, 2nd place in efficiency and 2nd place in rebounds. Also caught my attention in the Baltic Cup 2024.
Effective in the paint. Active on the offensive rebound. Has good block timing. Has room for physical development.
Has an interesting shooting mechanics. Needs to improve his FTs and add a shooting threat to his game. Needs to be careful about foul trouble
He is son of former EuroLeague player Saulius Štombergas.
RICARDS AIZPURS – LATVIA
Position: F
Team: Stella Azzurra Roma
Date of birth: 01.08.2008
Height: 6’6″ / 198
U16 EuroBasket stats: 24 MIN | 18.1 PTS | %53 2PT FG (30/57) | %35 3PT FG (14/40) | %76 FT (25/33) | 3.4 REB | 2.4 AST | 1.3 STL | 3.1 TO | 1.1 BLK | 14.6 EFF
Ricards Aizpurs led Latvia to the top 8. He did many different sports in his childhood like football, athleticism. (via: Italballers)
Nice shooter. Can finish despite contact in the paint and finish with both hands. Generally I liked his court vision. Gave some good signals on defense. Good size.
Needs to be careful with turnovers. Really nice prospect. I think he has a 3&D wing potential.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Louka Letailleur (08′) – France
- Mate Khatiashvili (08′) – Georgia
- Fabian Kayser (09′) – Germany
- Aviv Aronov (08′) – Israel
- Federico Cattapan (08′) – Italy
- Thomas Acunzo (08′) – Italy
- Jovan Bikic (08′) – Serbia
- Vuk Danilovic (08′) – Serbia
- Marcos Zurita (08′) – Spain
- Stefan Joksimovic (08′) – Slovenia
- Lun Jarc (09′) – Slovenia
- Anıl Alyanak (08′) – Türkiye
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