Rising
Goga Bitadze (99′, 6-11, C, Georgia, Mega Bemax/KK Buducnost)
After a dominant beginning to the season with Mega Bemax, Bitadze’s transfer to Buducnost has bolstered his stock further. Playing at the highest European level (EuroLeague), Bitadze has become easier to scout and judge. Of course It wasn’t realistic to think that he could average almost 20 points and 8 rebounds as he did in ABA League. But the truth is that Bitadze has been very impressive, without putting up those numbers. The Georgian prospect has been consistent and has held his own against elite competition, averaging 11.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game in EuroLeague. He is by far the most polished big of his generation in Europe and has really stepped up his game, looking eager to learn and improve every game. His stock is as high as it’s ever been.
Luka Samanic (00′, 6-11, PF, Croatia, Petrol Olimpjia)
Saminic’s stock took a hit because of his struggles at the beginning of the season. The Croatian forward seems to have turned the tables, however. Day by day, game by game his role has changed and has become something more than a rotation player for his team. Samanic is moving better, he had some near double-doubles and is beginning to look more like the player everyone envisioned a couple of years ago. He is still far from ready, but if he continues playing like he is currently, his stock will only go up.
Sekou Doumbouya (00′, 6-9, SF/PF, France, Limoges)
Having lost almost 6 weeks because of an injury, Sekou Doumbouya hasn’t really been able to find his rhythm and show the world what he can do on the floor. He has only shown flashes of potential at the senior level and he has, understandably, had ups and downs. But he is considered the best european prospect of this year’s NBA Draft for a reason. If he finds a way to finish the season strong, then he could be again in the conversation as a lottery (top 14) selection.
Adam Mokoka (98′, 6-5, SG, France, Mega Bemax)
There are few players who have helped their stock more this season than Adam Mokoka. The French prospect has NBA body and athleticism and he has all the tools to be a great defender at the next level. The question about him was whether he could be something more than solid contributor on the other side of the floor. Having a bigger role in Mega Bemax, Mokoka had the chance to improve as a ball haldler in Pick and Roll situations, is learning from his mistakes and has made strides as a shooter. You always have to take the numbers of a player of Mega Bemax with a grain of salt, but the truth is that Mokoka was already a intriguing prospect and just needed a chance to show his potential. He has that this season and has grabbed the opportunity.
Abdoulaye N'Doye (98′, 6-7, PG/SG, France, Cholet)
The Frenchman has been a beast defensively all season, but that’s nothing new for him. That was – and still is – his most translatable skill, since he can guard every perimeter position thanks to his size and length. What’a really encouraging though is that he is shooting 42.9% from deep, by far the best of his career. That can be a game changer for him at the next level. The sample size is small, since he barely takes 2 threes per game and he still needs to prove everyone that he can be at least a secondary playmaker. But his presence this season has been encouraging.
Neutral
Paul Eboua (00′, 6-7, SF/PF, Italy, Roseto Starks)
Potential versus production is the biggest problem everyone has when he is trying to judge Paul Eboua. Having a limited role with a team playing in the second division in Italy definitely doesnt help and altough some will have Giannis Antetokounmpo and Dirk Nowitzki in mind, players like them don’t come along often. With that said, the truth is that, despite his struggles, Paul Eboua had some really good moments the past few weeks. He is raw but… overflowing with talent. Is he ready for the next level right now? Definitely not, but if he is given the time and space he could become a nice player.
Amine Noua (97′, 6-8, PF, France, ASVEL)
He hasn’t taken the leap, and has not done anything extraordinary with the exception of a great game with his national team for the World Cup European Qualifiers. Maybe he doesn’t have it. Amine Noua has been consistent all season and has minimal ups and downs. His atleticism and defensive versatility are his weapons. It would be good to see him rebound the ball more and hit the open 3 with more consitency (he is shooting at 36% this season), but he looks like he is getting there.
Yovel Zoosman (98′, 6-6, SF, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Playing for a historic club which is desperate for wins, Yovel Zoosman doesn’t have a consistent role in EuroLeague, gaining more chances in the Israeli League, which is a level that can’t really be considered high. With that said, Zoosman is still considered someone with role player potential. He is an all around player, strong as an ox and a better athlete than most think who can guard shooting guards up to (light) power forwards. He might never become a star, but he can be a star in his role.
Laurynas Birutis (97′, 7-1, C, Lithuania, Zalgiris)
When Birutis gets consistent playing time he looks good. He shows his ability to affect the game on offense and cause trouble with his size on defense. The problem is that he is playing for a team full of veterans and his playing time is anything but consistent. He is mostly used in the Lithuanian League – where he dominated last season and was awarded the MVP award – but he doesn’t have enough chances in EuroLeague. The truth is that he hasn’t really added anything new this season and it remains to be seen if this is a good or a bad thing.
Marcel Ponitka (97′, 6-4, PG/SG, Poland, Arka Gdynia)
Having to compete with three foreign players for playing time, Marcel Ponitka has taken a step back this season looking less aggressive going to the basket, which was always been his calling card thanks to his well built body. His role has decreased and so have his numbers. What’s interesting though is that his 3-point percentage – which was always his biggest flaw – has gone all the way up to 37% with almost 2.5 attempts per game. If he manages to keep this up, this could open up more possibilities for him, since it could mean that he can play away from the ball. Will this be enough for him to get drafted at the end of the second round?
Borisa Simanic (98′. 7-0, PF, Serbia, Crvena Zvezda)
The ABA League has been the stage for Borisa Simanic to show his talent thise season. Playing for a team that is trying to make a major come back after a disastrous season, the Serbian prospect has seen plenty of playing time in games against lesser opponents as he becomes more and more part of the rotation for this team. Borisa Simanic hasn’t really become the player many thought he would be three years ago, but this season he definitely made strides and looks more and more like a prototypical Stretch-4.
Gytis Masiulis (98′, 6-9 , PF, Lithuania, Neptunas)
A banger by nature with a smooth shooting stroke, Gytis Masiulis is taking full advantage of the opportunity he is having in Neptunas, where he is playing on loan from Zalgiris. The Lithuanian prospect isn’t athletic enough and has some limitations on defense. But he is crafty and fearless and has gained lots of experience this season.
Elijah Clarance (98′, 6-4, SG, Sweden, Fraport Skyliners)
After spending most of his time in the first months of the season playing for the feeder club of Fraport in 3rd division, Elijah Clarance saw some playing time for the first team. His role is evolving and he is hungry for more. He is an energy guy who can do just about everything on the floor (except shooting with consistency) and that’s something every coach likes to see. If he manages to find more minutes and shows more flashes as a shooter, he can be someone to keep an eye on.
Falling
Vanja Marinkovic (97′, 6-7, SG, Serbia, Partizan)
The last time Vanja Marinkovic had three good games in a row was back in December. He is a shooter, but shoots the ball worse than he ever had since he had a bigger role in his team (30% from 3-point line in ABA League). It’s obvious that he is in a shooting slump but he picked a bad season to play like this when this is his last year of eligibility. Marinkovic’s shooting form is textbook. His size and above average athleticism made scouts love him. He has potential. But he is 22 years old now. He has to find a way to convice everyone that his ceiling remains as high as some people thought two years ago.
Karim Jallow (97′, 6-6, SG/SF, Germany, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg)
After an encouraging start, Karim Jallow had an injury that kept him out for almost two months and that hurt his role in his team and in turn his stock. The German prospect still has some fans though and he has time to improve his stock. His size, defensive versatility and 3-and-D potential are things that intrigue scouts and all he needs to do is to find his place back in the rotation and show all of these things again.
Louis Olinde (98′, 6-9, SF/PF, Germany, Brose Bamberg)
Underachiever. That’s the word that comes to mind when someone is watching Louis Olinde. Having a small role in a really good team with a lot of veterans, the German prospect hasn’t been able to stand out this season. And that’s a shame because he has shown in the past that he has the potential to become an interesting two way player. He is still young. He has the necessary skillset to become a good player. But the clock is ticking.
Kostja Mushidi (98′, 6-5, SG, Germany, OKK Beograd)
Two years ago Kostja Mushidi was considered by some as a late first rounder to early second rounder. Fast forward to 2019 and the German prospect is playing for the 8th best team in Serbia and he is not even the star of the team. Mushidi took a lot of steps backwards the last couple of years because of injuries and the addition of Mokoka in Mega Bemax this year, which lead to his movement to OKK Beograd. Maybe a new start is the only thing he needed to get back on track. He has one more year of eligibility, but for him to be considered an NBA prospect again, he really has to step up his game to another level.
Blaz Mesicek (97′, 6-6, SG, Slovenia, Petrol Olimpjia)
For the second time in three seasons Blaz Mesicek decided to change teams in the middle of the season, leaving his country for an Italian team. Two years ago he left Olimjia for Brindisi. This season he left Olimpjia for Pistoia. The lefty guard is still trying to adjust to his new environment and find his role. His stock has fallen once again and this could only change if he finds a way to close out the season with a bang in Italy.
Berke Atar (99′, 6-11, C, Turkey, Banvit)
Two solid games in the past three months are not good enough to move the needle for Ragip Berge Atar. The Turkish prospect has been a beast in FIBA’s youth championships the last three years, but he still is waiting for his chance at the senior level. This didn’t happen this season, despite the fact that at the beginning of the year things were looking different. He is young and bigs mature at a slower pace, so he can still be considered an NBA prospect.
