TBILISI (Georgia) - The Group Phase is now in the history books as the focus switches to the Round of 16 at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket.
With so many of the future stars making their mark, there have been 10 players who have certainly caught the eye over the last three games. Let's examine their impact and what they have contributed to their respective teams.
Omer Kutluay - Türkiye
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: Mar 27, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 193 cm / 6'3" Tournament Stats: 21.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, 19.7 EFF
Omer Kutluay's all-around excellence has been on display in the Georgian capital, pulling the strings at the point guard spot. Whether he's scoring at will, defending with energy and passion, or getting his teammates involved, Kutluay has been the heartbeat of the team, and as a result, Türkiye has breezed into the Round of 16 with a flawless record.
Kutluay, who plays his basketball with Real Madrid, is second in scoring with 21.7 points a game, plus he's dishing out 4.7 assists as well, with his crowning performance so far being a 25-point, 7-rebound, and 2-steals effort against Israel.
Nathan Soliman - France
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: May 14, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 203 cm / 6'7" Tournament Stats: 18.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 23.7 EFF
Defending champions France have cruised to a 3-0 record so far, with Nathan Soliman dominant in all facets of the game. The towering power forward leads all in efficiency at 23.7, showcasing how much of a threat he has been at both ends of the floor.
Soliman has recorded two double-doubles in the tournament so far, against Switzerland and Slovenia, and was one rebound shy of making it a hat-trick against Finland. Still, moving forward, to get close to the French, will mean keeping him quiet - no easy task.
Angelos Zoupas - Greece
FORWARD
Birth Date: November 4, 2009 (15 years old) Height: 200 cm / 6'6" Tournament Stats: 22.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.7 SPG, 22.0 EFF
Angelos Koupas has been Greece's offensive torch during the Group Phase; posting a tournament-leading 22.7 points a game. Koupas has taken an average of 16 shots in the three games so far, shooting at an impressive 43.8 percent, which has led Greece to a 1-2 record heading into the Round of 16.
At just 15 years old, Zoupas' confidence at the offensive end is staggering, and heading into the Round of 16, he has made sure that the Greeks should not be taken lightly.
Omri Orland - Israel
GUARD
Birth Date: September 4, 2009 (15 years old) Tournament Stats: 21.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 18.7 EFF
If you want a player who can fill a statsheet, look no further than Israel's Omri Orland, who has been a joy to watch over the last three games with his side going 1-2.
Orland has done most of his damage inside, and the bulk of his points have come close to the hoop, where he has either scored or been forced at the line, where he is automatic, having missed just one of his 13 attempts at the free-throw line so far. Orland also boasts the confidence of a shooter, and he has gone 7-of-25 from distance, which is very respectable.
Nikola Kusturica - Serbia
SHOOTING GUARD
Birth Date: April 30, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 202 cm / 6'7" Tournament Stats: 18.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 SPG, 1.7 BPG
The dynamic duo of Nikola Kusturica and Petar Bjelica has been fun to watch if you're a Serbian fan or neutral, but a nightmare if you're an opposing player. Kusturica, especially, has been a menace at both ends of the court, whether he's going inside, where he averages a sublime 63.2 percent from the two-point area, or defensively, where his quick hands and smart reads gave him 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocks a contest.
His tournament-best 27 points unfortunately ended in an agonizing loss to Spain, but Serbia will dust itself off and prepare for the Round of 16.
Benjamin Berrouet - Latvia
FORWARD
Birth Date: June 10, 2010 (15 years old) Height: 203 cm / 6'7" Tournament Stats: 11.0 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG
Benjamin Berrouet has recorded efficient stats, which make his inclusion hard to ignore. While he's third in scoring for Latvia at the U16 EuroBasket, it's his rebounding prowess and his unrelenting presence under the basket that make him the fierce competitor he is.
Averaging 12.7 rebounds, Berrouet is ranked second in this category but leads the tournament in offensive boards, where he pulls down a staggering 6 a game, giving Latvia plenty of second-chance opportunities. Berrouet can also put the ball in the hoop, posting 11 points in three games, a deserved double-double average.
Jan Cerdan - Spain
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: March 22, 2010 (15 years old) Height: 204 cm / 6'8" Tournament Stats: 15.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 16.0 EFF
Throughout all age groups, from its junior ranks to its senior ranks, Spain never has one genuine standout; they have multiple weapons at their disposal, and this U16 team is no exception. But Jan Cerdan's contribution has been pivotal to the side's unbeaten start heading into the Round of 16.
Cerdan's double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds against Germany has been the most notable performance for the FC Barcelona teenager, where he is the joint leading scorer with 15 points a game, shooting a solid 47.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point land, which is highly impressive for the power forward.
Gabrielius Buivydas - Lithuania
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: March 28, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 195 cm / 6'4" Tournament Stats: 16 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 56.3% FG
Another highly-skilled power forward, Gabrielius Buivydas, is one of the smartest players, especially when playing close to or under the basket. His shot selection is also very wise, which is why he averages 56 percent from the field.
His performance in the clutch has also been in the spotlight as he buried the game-winning free throw against Israel in the final seconds of overtime, making him a key component for Lithuania as they head to the Round of 16.
Lun Jarc - Slovenia
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: January 26, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 206 cm / 6'9" Tournament Stats: 11.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
Lun Jarc possesses the style of a forward in basketball that is needed in the modern game. A player that can play both inside and outside, Jarc has showcased a soft touch from outside, shooting 30 percent from deep.
His performances in a very team-oriented Slovenian outfit have made them a tough opposition for anyone, and they will fancy their chances.
Stefan Toader Banica - Romania
CENTER
Birth Date: January 13, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 201 cm / 6'7" Tournament Stats: 17.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 15.3 EFF
The big man, Stefan Toader Banica, has been Romania's main offensive threat and their leader throughout the Group Phase at the U16 EuroBasket.
An opening day double-double against Italy, where he went 7-for-11 from the foul line, was followed by two more strong showings against Greece and Latvia ahead of their journey into the Round of 16.
FIBA