HERAKLION (Greece) - With the first three days of competition at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket behind us, it's time to recap the standout players who made an impact during the Group Phase.
In this article, we spotlight 10 players who have left their mark and helped position their teams as title contenders in Heraklion.
Omer Mayer - Israel
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: October 8, 2006 (18 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in) Tournament Stats: 17.0 PPG, 6.3 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG
Mayer had already been one of the standouts of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup just a few weeks ago, and he has continued his hot streak in Heraklion, where he ranks in the top five in both points and assists per game. The Purdue commit has improved with each game during the Group Phase, saving his best for last with a 24-point, 11-assist outing in a win against Poland.
Israel is undefeated heading into the Round of 16 and has one of the top offensive creators in the tournament in Mayer, who has been masterful as a three-point shooter and a playmaker for others. With him as their offensive engine, Israel is one of the top candidates to win the U20 title in Heraklion.
Lucas Langarita - Spain
SHOOTING GUARD
Birth Date: January 4, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 1.95m (6ft 5in) Tournament Stats: 22.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG
Spain is in unfamiliar territory, having finished the Group Phase with a losing record, after dropping close games against Israel and Poland. The bright spot for Spain has been Langarita, who leads the tournament in scoring and is doing it efficiently, shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range.
The 20-year-old wing has put up masterful performances during the tournament, such as his 28-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist outing against Israel, where he showcased his equally versatile and lethal three-point shooting, his ability to score at the rim after getting downhill, and his contributions as a secondary playmaker. Spain will need him to continue his level of play in order to improve during the knockout stages of the tournament.
Fridrik Curtis - Iceland
CENTER
Birth Date: March 9, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.18m (7ft 2in) Tournament Stats: 16.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.7 BPG, 1.3 SPG
Iceland came away with their first win of the tournament against Slovenia behind a masterful performance from Curtis, who put up 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 4 assists. The leading rebounder and shot blocker of the competition has been a strong presence in the paint on both ends of the floor for his team, utilizing his combination of massive 2.18m size, coordination, and fluidity to protect the rim and score in the paint. Curtis has also shown the ability to make an impact outside of the restricted area, being able to attack the rim, make plays for teammates, and hit jumpers from three-point range.
Iceland will be looking to make only their second-ever Quarter-Finals appearance in the tournament. If they achieve that feat, Curtis' dominant paint presence will surely be one of the keys.
Lazar Gacic - Serbia
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: January 31, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.10m (6ft 11in) Tournament Stats: 16.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.7 SPG
It has been smooth sailing for Serbia, who are undefeated heading into the Round of 16, after beating opponents by an average of 25.7 points per game during the Group Phase. It has certainly been a group effort, with Aleksa Ristic carrying the playmaking load, Djordje Curcic making an impact with his three-point marksmanship, and both Pavle Nikolic and Viktor Mikic providing an efficient two-way impact in the paint.
In the midst of a balanced roster, Lazar Gacic has stood out with his versatile game. The 2.10m forward ranks in the top five in scoring in the competition and has been as efficient as he is versatile. Currently shooting 70.6 percent from the field, 66.7 percent from three and 96.0 percent from the free-throw line, Gacic has been impressive as a catch-and-finish target around the basket, while also being able to create his own shot from multiple levels of the floor, especially via post-ups and drives. If Serbia can reprise what they've done during the Group Phase, they'll be serious candidates to win their first title in a decade in Heraklion.
Alexandros Samodurov - Greece
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: April 20, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.11m (6ft 11in) Tournament Stats: 14.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG
The home team is firing on all cylinders, finishing the Group Phase undefeated and posting the best overall offense of the competition, scoring 93.3 points per game and with a team average of 40.7 percent from three-point range. It's been a balanced effort for Greece, with Eleftherios Liotopoulos providing versatile scoring and Neoklis Avdalas contributing with his playmaking, rebounding, and connective offense. However, it's Alexandros Samodurov who gets the nod here, as he has made an impact across the board for his team.
The 20-year-old shows a unique profile as a power forward who can make an impact in the paint with his post scoring and his offensive rebounding, while also being able to operate from the perimeter, attacking the rim, and acting as a secondary initiator. With him leading the charge, Greece looks like a serious candidate to win their fourth U20 title in Heraklion.
Jakub Szumert - Poland
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: December 4, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in) Tournament Stats: 11.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.7 BPG, 2.3 APG, 0.7 SPG
Poland had their best-ever U20 EuroBasket last year, finishing in 8th place. This year, they seem poised to beat that mark, having finished the Group Phase with a 2-1 record, including an upset win over Spain.
One of the keys for this Polish squad has been Jakub Szumert. The tournament's leading shot blocker set the tone early, with a 10-point, 18-rebound, 3-block performance in a win against Finland, and his interior presence has been an excellent fit alongside Tymoteusz Sternicki's versatile scoring and Rafal Szpakowski's primary playmaking and three-point shooting. With a balanced squad, Poland has a real chance to make history in Heraklion.
Alon Michaeli - Israel
CENTER
Birth Date: November 27, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in) Tournament Stats: 19.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Michaeli had already been an important piece for Israel in last year's U20 EuroBasket, but this year he has taken yet another leap. The 19-year-old center has been tremendously productive in Heraklion, ranking second in both points and rebounds, and having put up dominant performances such as his 28-point, 12-rebound game against Poland.
Michaeli has developed into an important piece for Israel, as he's able to create his own shot via post-ups, generate extra possessions with his offensive rebounding, and serve as a reliable finisher in cuts and rolls to the basket. His interior presence has been a perfect complement to Omer Mayer's perimeter firepower, forming a dynamic duo that has made Israel one of the top candidates to win the title in Heraklion.
Jan Vide - Slovenia
GUARD
Birth Date: January 15, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 1.99m (6ft 6in) Tournament Stats: 14.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.0 BPG
It has been a difficult Group Phase for Slovenia, who head into the Round of 16 winless after being drawn into a tough group with perennial contenders France and Serbia, and dropping a close game against Iceland. The silver lining for Slovenia has been Jan Vide. The former Real Madrid prospect has led the team with his aggressive scoring mentality, attacking defenders off the dribble and constantly putting pressure on the rim. Vide is also leading his team in assists and blocks per game, contributing with his passing on the move and his defense.
Slovenia, who are coming off a second-place finish in last year's U20 EuroBasket, will have a tough game against an undefeated Germany squad in the Round of 16. Vide will once again need to carry the offensive load if Slovenia hopes to make another deep run in this year's tournament.
Roman Domon - France
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: October 6, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.05m (6ft 9in) Tournament Stats: 12.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG
The odds were stacked against France at the start of the tournament, having been drawn into a tough group with Serbia, Slovenia and Iceland, and missing nine different players that have been drafted into the NBA over the past two years. As much as we would love the prospect of seeing names like Nolan Traore, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr in action, France has still proven to be a force to be reckoned with, finishing the Group Phase with a 2-1 record.
In a balanced French squad, Roman Domon has stood out, making an impact across the board. The Murray State commit is leading his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, putting up the type of all-around performance that has made a difference for a roster that might not have the top-end talent of previous years, but it's certainly as balanced as it's ever been.
Martin Kalu - Germany
SHOOTING GUARD
Birth Date: January 28, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Tournament Stats: 19.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 APG
Kalu has taken a massive leap, going from averaging 6.4 points per game on subpar efficiency in last year's U20 EuroBasket, to now being the second-leading scorer of the competition, while also doing it on tremendous efficiency, as he's shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from three-point range. The 20-year-old wing has been nearly unstoppable for opposing defenders, using his combination of strong frame, fluid ball-handling, soft touch and versatile shotmaking ability to create his own scoring opportunities. Kalu has also made an impact as a rebounder and as a defender, with his ideal physical tools for a wing.
Germany sits at 3-0 after the Group Phase, and they will be looking to claim their first-ever U20 title in Heraklion. If Kalu continues this dominant scoring run, they should be one of the favorites to win it all.
FIBA