By Hocine LOUKKAF on 6/8/2018

 

The name’s change was the only major move as the NBA has taken over the famous Treviso Camp. Unfortunately, no major immediate draft prospect like Doncic, Okobo, Musa or Bonga was  present. Yet, some players took advantage of the setting while the camp was highlighted by potential first round prospects for the 2020 and after NBA drafts.

 

Adam Mokoka, 6-4, SG, 1998, France (Team : Gravelines, France)

Measured at 6-4 with a 6-10 wingspan, Mokoka was in a class of his own physically and athletically at the camp. He went to the FT line 18 times in 72min and was a pest in defense. Already playing 14min a game in tough French Pro A, he needs to work on being a consistent shooter (only 1/4 at the camp from three) and a leader as he may be asked to play at the two guard spots. A player to follow for next year draft.

Issuf Sanon, 6-3, SG, Ukraine, 1999,  (Team : Olimpia Ljubjana , Slovenia)

The way teams are made up at these camps can be a problem. Sannon experienced it as he was the only guard in his team. The Ukraininan combo has a lot of work to do to play the point as he relies mainly on his physical attributes to score and doesn’t display an high basketball IQ for the moment. At the camp, he took a lot of shots from outside (4/13) but dished only 4as for 9tos in 72min of play.

Arnoldas Kubolka, 6-10, SF, 1998, Lithuania (Team : Bamberg, Germany)

Your classic shooting SF, Kulbolka has shown interesting improvement physically since last year. He has seen major minutes in Italian Lega (8pts 3.5rbds in 26min) while he was only playing in German 2nd tier League last year. At the camp, He didn’t force things with 11 shots taken in 51min, including 4/9 from three. He’s a bit stuck between positions as he’s not tough enough to defend the four and lacks the athleticism to defend the wings, but his size and shooting could convince a team to draft and stash him with a second round pick.

Marcel Ponitka, 6-5, PG, 1997, Poland, (Team : Gdynia, Poland)

A physical PG at 6-5, Ponitka displayed more efficiency than most players at the camp. He managed to have a good 10as for tunovers, which is solid in this kind of setting. With that said, Ponitka doesn’t have much upside as he’s struggled  to show the same efficiency in his domestic championship  despite playing more than 20min since last year (40%fg 25% 3pt, 3.5as for 1.9to in 2017-18)

Xavier Lopez-Arrostegui, 6-7, SF/SG, 1997, Spain (Team : Joventut Badalona, Spain)

Not the flashiest player and despite playing alongside dominant guards Pontika and Mokoka, Lopez-Arrostegui had a very good second game after a difficult first outing. Over the two games, he displayed why he’s playing 15min in the best domestic league in Europe with 14pts 12rbds 4as for only 1to.

 

The Future

Apart from the four Global Camp teams, three other teams made of youngsters born in 2000 and after were invited. Among those participants, some are already considered NBA prospects and were able to play in front of NBA scouts and GM.

The French Princes

We have already talked about them but as usual, Maledon (6-5 PG 2000 ASVEL), Hayes (6-5 PG/SG 2001 Cholet) and Cazalon (6-6 SF/SG 2001 ASVEL) were quick to showcase their talent. In this camp, Maledon was the most solid with 22pts 11rbds and 6as over the two games.

Amar Sylla, 6-10 PF/C 2001, Senegal,  Real Madrid

The Senegalese big man was impressive as he puts 23pts 14rbds and 2blks in two games. Another interesting part of his game is his improving shooting as he shot 7/8 from the free throw line, a good sign in his development.

We will also follow the development of Bahamas bred Kai Jones (6-10 PF 2001 Brewster Academy), Senegalese Biram Faye (6-10 PF/C 2000 Gran Canaria) and Australian swingman Josh Green (6-5 SF/SG 2000 IMGAcademy), improved youngsters possessing great physical tools.

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