Rimini offers a glimpse of future stars

RIMINI (3x3) - It's not easy to judge talent. Then, with regards to basketball, it's obvious that a 5-on-5 game played over 40 minutes on two baskets on a full court is not the same thing as a 3-on-3 game played over 10 minutes on one basket on a half court.

Still, just as Beach Volley is still volleyball, 3x3 is still basketball.

The main difference is that, in 3-on-3, you cannot run 5-man plays! Then, in any play ever designed in the history of the game, you will never find more than three men involved at the point of action at the same instant.

Even when you split the post, just three men are involved, as you can only 'cross' two men, not three, in front of the post man with the ball. So, set plays are out the window.

Then there is more space in 3-on-3, hence, less defensive help.

Yes, I still think the ideal 3-on-3 team needs a pivot man, a point guard and an outside shooter.

But many teams (Bulgaria's men's team, for example) will go with three 'complete' players, all about 6ft5in or 6ft6in, that can change roles at will.

As with 5-on-5 ball, the coach adapts to his personnel.

By the way, in the FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championship, the coaches could not coach! No time outs! The halftime lasted just one minute and the shot clock was just 12 seconds and not 24, as it is in the NBA and FIBA. 

So, the teams had coaches but their work was done in practice, as they must sit in the stands during the games. Well, most of the time, anyway!

With that said, I found myself being tempted to say that this player or that player might just be in the Olympics some day. Actually, I found that easier to do with the women.

Unless I miss my guess, 6ft Yuki Miyazama of Japan will be an 'international' some day.

She was not their leading scorer but she did everything well.

Spain won the women's event and has three great prospects: Yurena Diaz-Castellano, Sara Rodriguez-Uriszar and Astou Barro Ndour Gueye, who must be 6ft5in and is athletic.

Australia has 6ft1in Olivia Thompson, a complete player.

And, of course, the USA has Kaela Davis, who may have been the best player in the women's tournament.

I'm hesitant to make such predictions for the men.

6ft7in Isaac Fotu of New Zealand was my MVP of the tournament, though Reuben Te Rangi of the same All Blacks may get my vote for the way he led the Haka!

Sure enough, Fotu has already been called up to the national team, the Tall Blacks.

Still, for the men's players in Rimini, I have to ask:  "Do they still have growth potential? Will they have to change roles at a higher level?  Do they have the skills and athletic ability to compete at the next level?"

So, I'd rather hold my tongue and my judgment until they develop some more.

Of course, guys from little nations, like Nepal, Guam and Sri Lanka lack the size to make the Olympics.

I was amazed by the number of coaches and scouts present at this event. Many were looking for talent, as I was trying to identify prospects.

I can only say this: Two of Bulgaria's men play in Rimini and another with Benetton Treviso.

Obviously, the scouts knew about some of these guys before the rest of us did.

So, maybe there is some 'gold' to be 'mined' in the talent pool we saw in Rimini.

The players had a chance to show their wares and impress people.

They impressed me, that's for sure.

Now let's see how many of them make their own national teams and how many we'll see in the 2014 Worlds and the 2016 Olympics.

That's the real test of time.

Dan Peterson is a former American professional basketball head coach and sports commentator. He led Olimpia Milano to Euroleague glory in 1987 as well as to one Korac Cup (1985), four Italian domestic league titles (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and two Italian Cups. After retiring from coaching in 1987, he entered the world of broadcasting and is widely recognised as one of the most influential people in Italian and European basketball.