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25 August, 2023
10 September
Ten shooting guards bringing sizzle to November window
18/11/2021
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Ten shooting guards bringing sizzle to November window

 MIES (Switzerland) - The shooting guards that will be on display in the November window are expected to provide points, rebounding, ball handling and solid defense.

We're looking at the following 10 to put on mouth-watering displays.

 

Stefano Tonut, Italy

It's time to give the "put the ball on the deck and drive whenever possible Tonut" his do. He's got game! Tonut's got good handles - both on the dribble, and on Instagram - he's stevebucket07. The 27-year-old was as important as any player this past summer for Italy in their successful FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament run in Belgrade.

Vitor Benite, Brazil

The Hereda San Pablo Burgos man is now recognized as an elite two man in the Americas. His 13.5 points per game led the Brazilian team in scoring at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Split, where Benite buried 50 percent (12 of 24) from deep. In the hard moments of games, the 1.90m (6ft 3in)Jundiaí-born Benite wants the ball.

Luke Nelson, Great Britain

Some players are just born to score and that is certainly Nelson, who's been putting the ball in the basket for a long time, including during his NCAA days in California at UC Irvine. He averaged double digits in points in all four years with the Anteaters, while with GB, he's continued to do so. His most memorable shot? Nelson capped a 26-point night when he scored with his left hand on a difficult drive at the buzzer to give the Brits an 81-73 victory in the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers in Newcastle earlier this year.

Behnam Yakhchali, Iran

The 1.91m (6ft 3in) Yakhchali is a bundle of activity for Iran, always cutting to the basket or popping outside, or catching the ball in transition and pulling up to take, and make, three-pointers on the break. Proof of just how accomplished Yakhchali has become is seen not just in his performances for Iran, but in Germany, where he has cemented his role as one of the best shooting guards in the top flight with SYNTAINICS MBC (Mitteldeutscher Basketball Club).

Yannick Franke, Netherlands

First, there was his grandfather, the late Wim Franke, and then his father, Rolf. Now it's scoring machine Yannick who proudly wears the Dutch national team shirt. The1.95m (6ft5in) silky smooth Franke pours in the points for the Netherlands. He led them in scoring in the European Qualifiers for the last World Cup while in the country's successful EuroBasket 2022 qualifying campaign, he hit double digits in five of six games.  

Carlos Morais, Angola

The third-leading scorer at the FIBA AfroBasket in Kigali remains one of the top players on the continent, with his riveting effort against Senegal, when he went six-of-11 from three-point range, one of the best performances of the summer. There were whispers that Morais could retire from the national team but he loves putting the jersey on too much for that to happen.

Dario Brizuela, Spain

Perhaps the best way to appreciate the talent, especially on offense, of the Unicaja Malaga man is to know his nickname: Basque Mamba. The 1.85m (6ft 1in) Brizuela goes up against any opponent at any time, whether it's running off screens and hitting three-pointers or driving hard to the basket and scoring against bigger defenders.

Isaia Cordinier, France

National team coach Vincent Collet has a true high-flier in his squad in the 1.96m Cordinier, whose rim-rattling dunks always catch the eye. The Creteil-born Cordinier turns 25 during the November window and don't be surprised if he turns on the style against Montenegro and Hungary.

Nisre Zouzoua, Cote d'Ivoire

Some players are just born to score and Zouzoua falls into that category. The second-leading scorer on the Cote d'Ivoire team that reached the Final of the FIBA AfroBasket in Kigali at 11.2 points per game, the 1.86m (6ft 1in) Zouzoua is in his shooting range when he steps off the bus.

Jaka Blazic, Slovenia

Experience? Check! Intensity? Check. Defense, rebounding and three-point shooting? Check. Slovenia will expect Blazic, who averaged 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in the Slovenia side that finished fourth at the Olympics. He's got as much experience as any of the Slovenia players and it's going to show in this window.

FIBA