Spanish U18 Top 10
Category: 1994 Born
Ramon Carbonell from Scoutbasketball counts down the top ten U18 players in professional Spanish Leagues. Read his countdown of the 1994 born age category from 10 to 4...
10: Moussa Diagne
Profile
Club Basket Torrejon Conteplast Medioambiente
Competition EBA-B
Position Center
Height 6’ 11’’
D.O.B 06.04.1994
Hometown Senegal.
History & Stats
2010-2011 Basket Torrejon First National Division.
Moussa Diagne has been a great surprise in this 2011-2012 season, this African prospect is showing his potential playing solid minutes in EBA-B league. The main attribute of this player is his size and huge wingspan but he has good coordination and footwork in low post actions and a surprising nice left hand touch, is a good rebounder and shot blocker. He is improving his off ball game on both sides proving he’s a workable player with a brilliant future.
Strengths
General Huge size and wingspan.
Shows good coordination.
Offense Good low post footwork, is able to make quick turns, emphasising the left side.
Solid finishing with his left hand.
He knows how to use fakes to take fouls and score.
Very active in offensive rebounds.
Good concepts in pick and roll.
Defense High intensity defender.
Great defensive rebounder.
His huge arms allow him to be a good shot blocker.
Pesky defender in low post actions.
Weaknesses
General Needs to bulk up.
Sometimes has lapses in concentration.
Offence His lack of strength makes him suffer in screens.
Although he's showing progress, he needs to improve his slow shot mechanics.
He needs to raise his free throw percentage.
His basketball IQ in his off ball game and passing although improving still needs work.
Defense He needs to improve his positioning in static defense.
He sometimes suffers when trying to close rebounds.
Video Click on the video number to watch Moussa Diagne in action
1 (Player number 18)
2 (Player number 18)
9: Alexandr Zhigulin
Profile
Club Regal Barcelona (2nd team)
Competition LEB Silver
Position Power Forward / Forward
Height 6’8’’
D.O.B 26.04.1994
Hometown Karagenda, Kazakhstan.
History & Stats
2008-2009 TSM Kazakhstan
U19 World Championship: 10.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.1 bpg
2009-2010 Regal Barcelona
U16 Spanish Clubs Championship: 15.8 ppg 6.8 rpg 0.4 apg 1.0 bpg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 17.2 ppg 8.8 rpg 0.5 apg 2.0 bpg
2010-2011 Regal Barcelona
LEB Silver: 2.7 ppg 0.9 rpg 0.7 apg
NIJT Tournament: 7.7 ppg 7.4 rpg 0.7 apg 0.7 bpg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 9.4 ppg 5.9 rpg 0.4 apg 0.7 bpg
Alexandr Zhigulin attracted scouts attention in 2009 when he scored 10.3 ppg in the U-19 World Championship at only sixteen years old, finally he was signed by Regal Barcelona. In the last two years he has tried to play in the forward position but he still needs work. He has a lack of speed in defence and needs to improve his dribbling. However, Zhigulin is actually a strong player ready to play as a shooting power forward, is able to attack face and back to the basket, has a high basketball IQ and continues his progression in LEB Silver.
Strengths
General Good physical conditioning, is a strong physical player.
Shows maturity in his game.
Offense He is able to play face and back to basket.
Efficient player in pick and roll and blind screen actions.
Good shot off the pass from mid range and three points.
Is a smart player, with an intelligent selection of passes.
Defense Good at closing the space under the basket.
Fights for every rebound.
Good pick and roll defender.
Quick footwork for his size.
Weaknesses
General Originally power forward, his game is suffering while changing position to small forward.
Offence Sometimes he needs to finish harder to the basket.
Needs to improve his dribbling.
Needs to increase his three point percentage.
Defense Has to continue improving closing under the basket in zone defense.
Has slow lateral movement to play as a small forward.
Has to control his foul trouble.
Needs to improve his help defense.
Video Click on the video number to watch Alexandro Zhigulin in action
1 (Player number 17)
2 (Player number 17)
8:Santiago Villena
Profile
Club Fuenlabrada - Illescas (Fuenlabrada 2nd Team)
Competition EBA-B
Position Shooting Guard
Height 6’3’’
D.O.B 11.01.1994
Hometown Madrid, Spain.
History & Stats
2009-2010 U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 11.3ppg
2010-2011 Fuenlabrada - Getafe EBA-B: 2 games 9.0 ppg 1.5 spg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 12.3 ppg 3.3 rpg 0.8 apg 1.8 spg
Santiago Villena began to play in Asefa Estudiantes in the 08-09 season signed by Baloncesto Fuenlabrada, in the next season he averaged 21.0 ppg in the U16 Spanish Clubs Championship taking his team to the title. He’s a shooting guard able to score fluently, his great footwork allows him to be a great three point shooter in blind screens. In addition to this shows a nice first step and is a natural leader on both sides of the court. This season Santiago is showing he’s a great prospect with nice performances in EBA-B league.
Strengths
General High basketball IQ.
Very technical player.
Offense Great three point shooter, especially off a pass in wing positions.
Smart player in off the ball game.
He effectively uses fakes to initiate his penetrations.
Good passing skills and selection.
Solid ball handling with both hands.
Defense Helps in defensive rebounds.
His awareness of passing lines allows him to make a large number of steals.
Weaknesses
General Needs to keep working on strength in his upper body.
Offense Has to improve his decisions during transitions.
Has to control his upper body while setting screens.
Defense Has to continue working on his defense during off the ball action and blind screens.
Has to be quicker during offense to defense transition.
His help defense could be improved.
Video Click on the video number to watch Santiago Villena in action
1 (Player number 10)
2 (Player number 10)
7: Juan Sebastian Saiz
Profile
Club Asefa Estudiantes (2nd Team).
Competition EBA-B
Position Power Forward
Height 6’8’’
D.O.B 15.07.1994
Hometown Madrid, Spain.
History & Stats
2009-2010 European U16 Championship: 2.0 ppg 2.0 rpg 0.4 bpg
2010-2011 U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 4.0 ppg 7.3 rpg
Juan Sebastian Saiz has been a surprise in the EBA-B league, the young power forward from Estudiantes is making consistent improvements showing his workability and potential. The main attribute of this player is his natural capacity to rebound, with great timing and strength to make his own space under the basket. He has been steadily improving his offensive skills like footwork in low post and mid range shots making him a complete player with big potential.
Strengths
General Very good physical conditioning, he's strong and coordinated.
Great wingspan.
Natural born fighter spirit, he works had for every ball.
Offense Quick turns in low post action, emphasizing right hook in left turn and using fakes.
Has good shot footwork, is able to score mid range shots.
Aggressive in offensive rebounds.
Good pick and roll and off ball concepts.
Defense Has a natural talent to be a great rebounder.
Good timing allows him to block a high number of shots.
Hard defender in low post.
Acceptable pick and roll defender.
Good concepts in help defense.
Weaknesses
General Needs to continue improving his basketball IQ.
Sometimes has inconsistent performances.
Offence Needs to have quicker shot mechanics.
Has to keep working his mid range shots.
His left hand could improve.
Has to improve his passing skills.
Defense Slow lateral movement, he suffers on back cut actions.
He still has to develop his zone defense concepts.
Is too quick to fall for fakes allowing easy shots or fouls.
Video Click on the video number to watch Juan Sebastian Saiz in action
1 (Player number 14)
6: Javier Marin
Profile
Club Monte Ducay Olivar (CAI Zaragoza 2nd Team)
Competition EBA-C
Position Point Guard
Height 6’4’’
D.O.B 12.04.1994
Hometown Zaragoza, Spain.
History & Stats
2009-2010 Basket CAI Zaragoza EBA-C: 3 games 1.0 ppg 0.3 rpg 0.3 apg
U16 Spanish Clubs Championship: 14.4 ppg 6.8 rpg 2.4 apg 3.2 spg 0.8 bpg
European U16 Championship: 10.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 2.0 apg 2.0 spg
2010-2011 Monte Ducay Olivar EBA-C: 7.1 ppg 3.1 rpg 2.3 apg 1.0 spg
Vilagarcia Basket Cup: 5.7 ppg 2.4 rpg 2.7 apg 1.0 spg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 10.2 ppg 4.2 rpg 5.2 apg 2.4 spg
CAI Zaragoza formed player Javier Marin is one of the most talented players of his generation, he has a gift to play as point guard with great court vision allowing him to make seemingly impossible passes. His size allows him to rebound and gain a large number of steals as he proved in the U-16 European Championship. In summer 2011 he suffered an injury taking him away from European competitions. He is now completely recovered and is raising his statistics in EBA.C league, he needs to continue improving his shot percentages and defence activity to take his game to the next level.
Strengths
General Good size for a point guard.
Natural talented player.
Has two seasons of EBA experience.
Offense Great court vision allows him to make impossible passes.
Very good passing skills, is able to penetrate to find the open big man.
Nice first step allows him to be a good penetrator.
He feels comfortable in fast breaks and fast transitions.
Good ball handling, is able to escape from a press easily.
Defense Good defensive rebounder.
Has quick hands to steal the ball.
Weaknesses
General Has a lack of physical strength.
Has to improve his reading of the game.
Offence Needs to avoid turnovers when passing.
Has to be more confident in mid range and three point shots.
He needs to increase his confidence in his left hand.
Defense Has to raise his defensive activity.
His footwork in defensive positioning needs to be improved.
Has slow lateral movement.
Has to be more focused in offense to defense transition.
Has to avoid foul trouble.
Video Click on the video number to watch Javier Narin in action
1 (Player number 4)
2 (Player number 7)
5:Guillermo Hernangomez
Profile
Club Real Madrid (2nd Team)
Competition EBA-B
Position Power Forward
Height 6’10’’
D.O.B 27.05.1994
Hometown Madrid, Spain.
History & Stats
2009-2010 U16 Spanish Clubs Championship: 12.6 ppg 10.0 rpg 0.8 spg 1.4 bpg
European U-16 Championship: 9.9 ppg 8.7 rpg 0.8 spg 0.7 bpg
2010-2011 NIJT Hospitalet: 6.4 ppg 4.8 rpg 1.0 apg 0.8 spg 1.2 bpg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 9.6 ppg 9.6 rpg 1.0 apg 0.8 spg 1.2 bpg
Vilagarcia Basket Cup: 9.0 ppg 6.6 rpg 1.0 apg 0.7 bpg
European U18 Championship: 7.3 ppg 4.5 rpg 0.8 spg 0.8 bpg
U18 European 2011 Champion, Hernangomez made his debut in EBA-B league this season and is proving he has lot of potential with his good performances. He’s workable and plays hard every minute, in addition he’s coordinated and has great low post skills. Son of a Real Madrid ex-player, he’s on his way to achieve his dream and play in ACB.
Strengths
General Great physical conditioning and coordination.
Good basketball IQ.
Offense Great skills in the low post, makes quick turns.
Efficient player in pick and roll.
Nice off ball game in low past.
Good offensive rebounder.
Good passing skills.
Defense Good timing allows him to block a high number of shots.
Great defensive rebounder, makes his own space under the basket.
Physical player in low post defense.
Weaknesses
Offense Has to continue working on his mid range shots.
Sometimes fall foul of offensive three seconds.
His left hand could be improved.
He needs to control the amount of turnovers he concedes.
Defense Slow lateral movement.
Needs to be quicker in flash actions.
Has to continue to develop his help defense concepts.
Video Click on the video number to watch Guillermo Hernangomez in action
1 (Player number 5)
2 (Player number 5)
4:Nicholas Spires
Profile
Club Regal Barcelona (2nd Team)
Competition LEB Silver
Position Power Forward
Height 6’10’’
D.O.B 25.02.1994
Hometown Tunbridge Wells, England. (Swedish Citizenship).
History & Stats
2008-2009 Sodertalje
European U18 Championship: 6.4 ppg 3.6 rpg 0.9 apg 0.8 spg 1.0 bpg
2009-2010 Sodertalje
European U18 Championship Div B: 17.1 ppg 8.3 rpg 1.4 apg 1.6 spg 1.9 bpg
2010-2011 Regal Barcelona
NIJT: 6.3 ppg 5.7 rpg 0.7 apg 3.0
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 8.3 ppg 7.6 rpg 1.0 apg 0.9 spg 0.7 bpg
Nicholas Spires attracted scouts attention during the U18 European Div B Championship in 2010 and finally left Sodertalje to be signed by Barcelona. He’s probably the most complete power forward of his generation, he has a high basketball IQ on both sides of the court, is able to shoot, play face to the basket as a forward and assist with extra passes. He is in good physical condition, is fast and coordinated, if he continues bulking up and adding experience he has the potential to be an important player in the ACB in the long term.
Strengths
General High basketball IQ.
Good physical conditioning, has good speed, agility and coordination.
Good size and great wingspan.
Offense Is able to play face and back to basket.
Good ball handling skills.
Good passing skills, make an extra pass easily.
Great footwork in low and high post.
Good player in fast break.
Is able to score from mid range.
Good hands, captures a large amount of rebounds and finishes easily.
Defense Good offensive rebounder.
Has good concepts in help defense.
Blocks a high number of shots.
Weaknesses
Offense His pick and roll game could be improved.
Needs to work on three point shots to raise his percentages.
Needs to show more confidence in finishing with his left hand.
Defense Slow lateral movement.
Needs to improve his footwork in blind screens.
His lack of strength makes him suffer in low post defense.
Has to be more decisive in pick and roll defense.
Video Click on the video number to watch Nicholas Spires in action
1 (Player number 16)
2 (Player number 16)
3: Beka Burjanadze
Profile
Club Cajasol Banca Civica (2nd Team)
Competition EBA-D
Position Forward / Power Forward
Height 6’7’’
D.O.B 03.01.1994
Hometown Tiflis, Georgia.
History & Stats
2008-2009 European U18 Championship Div B: 15.3 ppg 11.3 rpg 1.4 apg 2.3 spg 3.1 bpg
2009-2010 European U18 Championship Div B: 20.0 ppg 7.9 rpg 0.4 apg 1.8 spg 0.8 bpg
2010-2011 Cajasol Banca Civica EBA-D: 12.4 ppg 4.0 rpg 0.8 apg 1.0 spg 0.3 bpg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship Div B: 9.5 ppg 7.5 rpg 0.8 apg 1.3 spg 0.8 bpg
European U20 Championship Div B: 14.7 ppg 11.7 rpg 1.1 apg 2.0 spg 0.6 bpg
Beka Burjanadze is a strong player with great fitness. He produced a great performance in the European U18 Championships playing as power forward and showing he’s able to play in low post as well as score from three point range. Last year he showed his progression to the forward position in EBA-D league having great success in his first professional season which included a debut in Eurocup and ACB. If he continues with this progression he could be a good ACB forward in the long term.
Strengths
General Great physical conditioning.
Two seasons EBA-D league experience.
Great team spirit, has energy to lift the team.
Offense Good shooter from the three point line, especially infront of the basket.
Excellent use of fakes allows him to be a good penetrator.
Efficient passing skills.
His strength allows him to play hard in low post and take contact.
Good player in blind screens and off ball game.
Defense His fighting spirit allow him to gain a high number of rebounds.
Is always aware of passing lines to make steals.
A versatile player in zone defense.
Weaknesses
General Needs to be more focused during all games.
Has to define his position; forward or power forward.
Offence His left hand could be improved.
Has to avoid turnovers while playing in low post.
Defense Needs to improve his help in zone defense.
Suffers in lateral movement against small players.
His defense in pick and roll could be improved.
Video Click on the video number to watch Beka Burjanadze in action
1 (Player number 9)
2 (Player number 9)
2:Albert Homs
Profile
Club C.B Prat Joventut (FIATC Joventut 2nd Team)
Competition LEB Silver
Position Point Guard
Height 6’6’’
D.O.B 23.05.1994
Hometown Mataro, Spain.
History & Stats
2009-2010 U16 Spanish Clubs Championship: 16.2 ppg 5.8 rpg 1.6 apg 1.2 spg 0.2 bpg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 1.3 ppg
European U16 Championship: 12.2 ppg 5.6 rpg 2.3 apg 0.8 spg 0.6 bpg
2010-2011 NIJT Hospitalet: 24.5 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.0 apg 2.5 spg 0.5 bpg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 11.0 ppg 3.5 rpg 1.7 apg 1.3 spg 0.3 bpg
European U-18 Championship: 0.8 ppg 0.3 rpg 0.7 apg
Albert Homs in one of the most talented players of his age. Although his natural position is point guard he has a great size that allows him to play all outside positions. He has great court vision with high basketball IQ and ballhandling skills allowing him to assist and penetrate with success. He showed his talent in NIJT Hospitalet Tournamente where he was named MVP, this season is beginning to play minutes in LEB Silver for C.B Prat Joventut showing he can be ACB ready in long term.
Strengths
General Great talent, very technical player.
High basketball IQ.
Good size for a point guard.
Offense Great court vision.
Excellent ball handling skills.
He is able to play low post in 2 on 2 mismatches.
Good footwork in off ball game.
Nice first step allows him to penetrate and dunk.
Good fast break and quick transitions.
Defense Quick hands.
Great defensive rebounder.
Good off ball defender with good concepts in help defense.
Weaknesses
General
Needs to bulk up.
Needs to work on his consistency.
Offense Slow shooting mechanics.
Has to improve his decision making to avoid turnovers.
His left handcould be improved.
Defense Has slow lateral movement, needs to improve his footwork.
Video Click on the video number to watch Guillermo Hernangomez in action
1 (Player number 4)
2
1:Josep Perez
Profile
Club Regal Barcelona (2nd Team)
Competition LEB Silver
Position Point Guard
Height 6’1’’
D.O.B 11.05.1994
Hometown Lliria, Spain.
History & Stats
2009-2010 U16 Spanish Clubs Championship: 20.4 ppg 4.6 rpg 2.4 apg 2.0 spg 0.2 bpg
European U16 Championship: 11.4 ppg 2.4 rpg 2.1 apg 1.6 spg 0.1 bpg
2010-2011 Regal Barcelona LEB Silver: 4.2 ppg 1.3 rpg 0.9 apg 0.9 spg
NIJT Tournaments: 13.4 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.8 apg 2.5 spg
U18 Spanish Clubs Championship: 10.0 ppg 3.8 rpg 2.9 apg 1.0 spg 0.1 bpg
European U18 Championship: 4.7 ppg 1.8 rpg 2.1 apg 0.6 spg
Born in Lliria (a city with great basketball tradition) and son of a CB Lliria ex-manager, Josep Perez began to show his full potential during the U16 Spanish Clubs Championship and European U16 Championship developing as an all-rounder and delivering great performances. He’s a very talented player, his three points skill and shooting mechanics is reminiscent of Juan Carlos Navarro but he’s a pure point guard with great court vision and high basketball IQ. This season he has been one of the top LEB Silver guards at only 17 years old showing that his talent and workability will make him an important ACB player in the medium term.
Strengths
General High basketball IQ.
Natural leadership and great talent.
Technical player.
Offense Great court vision.
Excellent passing skills, his bounce pass is exemplary.
Is able to penetrate and finish with both hands.
Excellent ball handling skills..
Excellent three point shooter, especially off the dribble.
Quick shooting mechanics.
Nice off ball game in blind screens.
Great pick and roll concepts.
Defense Uses his intelligence to steal balls.
Good footwork and lateral movement.
Helps in defensive rebounds.
Good concepts in help defense.
Weaknesses
General
He has to continue working on his upper body strength.
Offense Needs to control turnovers.
Has to be more effective in mid range shooting.
Defense Is sometimes to quick to try to steal the ball, allowing his opponent easy penetrations.
Needs to be quicker in flash actions.
Has to be more consistent in his defensive activity.
Video Click on the video number to watch Josep Perez in action
1 (Player number 6)
2 (Player number 6)