French trio, Wigness among stars to shine in buildup to U17 World Cup
REGENSBURG (David Hein's Eye on the Future) - The star French trio of Killian Hayes, Malcolm Cazalon and Theo Maledon as well as Australian whirlwind Tamuri Wigness were among nine players who received an additional boost of confidence ahead of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 by participating in the NBA Global Camp.
International hoops fans, remember these names: 6-5 Killian Hayes, 6-6 Malcolm Cazalon & 6-5 Theo Matedon. All impressing at #NBAGlobalCamp & all turning 17 this summer. Scary.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) June 2, 2018
For me, the main big picture takeaway from the #NBAGlobalCamp is that the future of French basketball is incredibly bright. Killian Hayes was great overall and I absolutely LOVE Theo Maledon and Malcolm Cazalon. Those 3 kids are going to be a big problem for a long time
— Austin Green (@LosCrossovers) June 5, 2018
If you read any coverage from the just-finished camp in Treviso then you see that the future of French basketball is alive and well - even fearful for other teams. That is how much Hayes, Cazalon and Maledon impressed observers in Italy - playing together on the International Select team.
From @LosCrossovers with us @SiriusXMNBA: "The next great European prospect after Doncic is Killian Hayes (draft eligible in 2020). 6'4" PG, half-French half-American. Scouts were laughing in the crowd with some of the stuff he was going."
— Noah Coslov (@NoahCoslov) June 2, 2018
For me, the main big picture takeaway from the #NBAGlobalCamp is that the future of French basketball is incredibly bright. Killian Hayes was great overall and I absolutely LOVE Theo Maledon and Malcolm Cazalon. Those 3 kids are going to be a big problem for a long time
— Austin Green (@LosCrossovers) June 5, 2018
Cholet's Killian Hayes (U16 Euros MVP) showed his tremendous feel for the game in the scrimmages. Has great tools combined with a well-rounded skill set. pic.twitter.com/9uHaqVi5p2
— NBADraftProspects (@draftprosnba) June 5, 2018
Hayes collected the MVP trophy last summer after guiding France to the title at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017. And the 16-year-old point guard shined in Treviso with his outstanding feel for the game and basketball IQ as well as his athleticism.
Despite being drastically younger than the rest of the competition, Hayes dominated the French U21 Espoirs league this season, winning the MVP award as he averaged 16.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals for Cholet. Hayes also played nine games in the French ProA top flight for Cholet, picking up 12 points and six assists against Le Mans on May 15.
Overall Theo Maledon was the best player of the International Select Team to me. He's 6-4, 6-8 wingspan, tremendous feel, much improved shooter w/instincts on D. Looked like he also gained some explosiveness. pic.twitter.com/eQYKtbfsXa
— NBADraftProspects (@draftprosnba) June 6, 2018
Maledon, who was the captain of France’s team at last year's U16 European coronation, was just as impressive in Treviso with his decision-making, ball-handling, defense, shooting and ability to stay calm despite the fact he will turn only 17 on June 12. This season he appeared in nine Pro A games for ASVEL while also averaging 15.7 points, 5.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in the U21 Espoirs league.
Malcolm Cazalon is the most explosive athlete out of those 3 french talents. The 6-6 guard/wing had his breakout showing at the ANGT tournament earlier this year. pic.twitter.com/6DEbkyknDG
— NBADraftProspects (@draftprosnba) June 6, 2018
Cazalon, who did not play at the U16 continental championship but expects to be a big factor at the U17 World Cup, wowed the observers in Treviso with his elite athleticism and explosiveness. He was Maledon's teammate at ASVEL and averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals in the U21 league.
Fun battle in this game between two very highly touted Australians. Josh Green with a fadeaway J over Tamuri Wigness, then Wigness immediately attacked him at the other end. Wigness (U16 Asia MVP) is under 6-feet but super quick and aggressive. Green ('00) a 6'6 athletic wing
— Austin Green (@LosCrossovers) June 2, 2018
Australia's 2002-born Tamuri Wigness was one of the stars at the 2018 FIBA U16 Asian Championship. The 6ft lefty PG has a spectacular handle, terrific court vision and an improving jump shot. pic.twitter.com/y9C0fs2tUo
— NBADraftProspects (@draftprosnba) April 11, 2018
While Hayes, Maledon and Cazalon have France thinking a first-ever U17 World Cup podium finish in Argentina, Australia have twice finished second in the biennial global spectacle - in 2012 and 2014. And Wigness will need to have a strong tournament for the Crocs to return to the podium again.
After guiding Australia to the FIBA U16 Asian Championship title, Wigness saw another level of competition in Treviso and he impressed with his super quickness and aggressiveness. The camp also gave him more experience in playing against bigger and taller guards as Wigness is listed at 6ft 0in (1.84m) as he played on one of the NBA Academy teams.
Wigness isn’t the only Australian in Argentina who can call on his experience at the Treviso camp. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Luke Travers, Hunter Clarke and Josh Bannen - all included on Australia's U17 roster - all played at the NBA Global Camp as well - with Travers playing on the Centre of Excellence team and the others participating on NBA Academy sides.
The other player from Treviso who will be playing at the U17 World Cup is Jermaine Miranda of Puerto Rico, who was on an NBA Academy team.
David Hein
FIBA
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