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Following potential 2015 draftees

Cy said:
Michael Qualls could be a 3&D player.

Youtube "Mike Qualls Highlights-Thresh Productions" and watch. Extreme above the rim athlete who plays defense (a near 7' wingspan) and has added a reliable 3pt jumper (shooting 47% so far on 4 attempts per game).

PKM knows him well.

Exerpt from Arkansas latest game:



Guy has lock-down potential defense.

Arkansas plays DUIclones on Thursday, should be a good game.
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PKM do you still have nightmares about his game winning put back dunk against UK?
 
https://www.nbadraft.net/international-blog-2
nabdraft.net article about the Euro prospects:
International Blog
By Davide_Bortoluzzi on Sun, 11/30/2014 - 12:08am.

Player(s) of the Month

Moussa Diagne (’94, 6-11, C, Senegal, Fuenlabrada)
Moussa Diagne has been the breakout player of the season, thanks to his solid performances in ACB (Spanish league) with Fuenlabrada. Playing 15 minutes per game in the most competitive domestic league in Europe, he’s averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds per game, with a couple of impressive performances against Real Madrid and Barcelona, when he had 11 points and 11 rebounds in each game. The 6-10 big man from Senegal has a solid frame, combined with a great wingspan which makes him a solid defensive presence. With his excellent lateral speed and mobility, he’s really effective in P&R situations on both ends of the court. His post fundamentals and positioning are still rather raw, but he has a great motor, intensity and good hands, showing intriguing upside. Definitely the prospect who could climb several spots on the draft board.

Aleksandar Vezenkov (’95, 6-8, SF, Bulgaria, Aris)
Vezenkov is currently the top performer in Europe among the International prospects, showing impressive maturity and a complete skillset. Standing 6-foot-8, he has solid size for the role, with the ability to use his body and physical strength to outpost smaller opponents. He shows an effective turnaround jumper and hook shot from post position, both taking the baseline or the painted area. His lefty shot has range and fluidity, making him a serious threat both from midrange and beyond the arc. His game style reminds of Mirza Teletovic, but with a better handle and ability to attack off the dribble. His draft stock is really high at the moment, with a concrete likelihood to be selected if he declares for the 2015 NBA draft. He’s averaging 17.5 pts and 9 rebounds in the Greek first division.

Rising

Kristaps Porzingis (’95, 7-1, PF, Latvia, Cajasol Seville)
With an average of 8 pts and 5 rebounds thus far and playing an important role for his ACB team, the Latvian prospect is confirming his status as the frontrunner of the international platoon headed to next NBA draft. His limits are still the same, but he’s starting to face and attack the basket with better confidence and consistency, even if his narrow frame limits the effectiveness of his game in the painted area. On the other hand, his mobility and smoothness is amazing for a 7-1 big man, granting him continuous mismatches on both sides of the court. A lottery pick is likely, but he’ll have to spend considerable time in the weight room before being ready for NBA physicality.

Cedi Osman (’95, 6-8, SF, Turkey, Efes Pielsen)
Osman is one of the most improved players in Europe, especially in terms of NBA prospects. Last season he wasn’t playing a lot with Efes, but after a victorious U20 European Championship with Turkey (he was named MVP of the competition) he’s having the opportunity to play solid minutes in Euroleague under coach Dusan Ivkovic. His maturity and basketball IQ are really impressive, with Osman often playing as a point forward thanks to his nice handle and passing skills. He’s a solid athlete even if not extremely explosive, but in a couple seasons he could become a solid back up forward even for NBA standards. He’s averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds, with a season high of 16 and 7 against Real Madrid.

Falling

Tomas Dimsa (’94, 6-5, SG, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas)
Dimsa was considered one of the most solid names for next NBA draft among the prospects in the international platoon, but after a couple of months during this 2014/2015 season his draft stock has fallen. He's averaging less than 5 minutes in Euroleague, 11 minutes in the Lithuanian league with 4.4 points per game. He has the size and skills to compete at a high level, but he needs to play with consistency.

Ilimane Diop (’95, 6-10, PF/C, Spain, Laboral Kutxa Vitoria)
At the end of last season Diop was included in Vitoria’s rotation, and started this season playing a fair amount of minutes on the court. The situation has changed, and in a team struggling both in ACB and Euroleague (Vitoria recently fired their coach Marco Crespi) his minutes on the court have decreased at a steady rate, with several DNPs in the last few games.

Mario Hezonja (’95, 6-7, SG, Croatia, FC Barcelona)
2 points and 1 rebound per game in ACB in barely 10 minutes on the court, this is not what everybody was expecting from the best European backcourt prospect in years. The problems remain the same: consistency and attitude, with glimpses of amazing talent (like during last Euroleague game against Milan) and just a minute later a turnover or an argument with a teammate or a referee. There are no doubts that he has the physical and technical potential to become a solid NBA player, but the task left in order to reach this goal remains substantial.

Flying Below the Radar

Rade Zagorac (’95, 6-8, SG/SF, Serbia, Mega Vizura)
Zagorac is one of the most intriguing young players in Europe, and a standard member of all Serbian youth teams. Standing 6-8, he has terrific size for the role, combined with a great wingspan which makes his shot difficult to block. His lefty stroke is quick and fluid, even if the trajectory of the ball still tends to be too flat. He has a nice handle, but he has to work on his ability to attack the basket and create from the dribble. Definitely a name to track, he’s averaging 11 points and 4.4 rebounds thus far in the Adriatic League, with a season high of 19.

Furkan Korkmaz (’97, 6-6, SG, Turkey, Efes Pielsen)
Korkmaz is probably the most NBA ready ’97 born player in Europe, playing more than 10 minutes on average in Euroleague at the age of 17. Standing at 6-6, he has solid size for the position, combined with good athleticism and leaping ability. His game sytle is reminiscent of Ibrahim Kutluay (even if he’s more athletic than him but less of a pure shooter), a legendary Turkish gunner, and one of the best European shooters all time. He’s playing with maturity on a really competitive team, showing the ability to hit both from three points and attacking the basket. He had a season high of 9 points and 7 rebounds in Euroleague against Novgorod.
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DX has him as the 11th overall pick of the 2016 draft, so I don't think he is that "Under the Radar" though.
 
stitches said:
https://www.nbadraft.net/international-blog-2
nabdraft.net article about the Euro prospects:
International Blog
By Davide_Bortoluzzi on Sun, 11/30/2014 - 12:08am.

Player(s) of the Month

Moussa Diagne (’94, 6-11, C, Senegal, Fuenlabrada)
Moussa Diagne has been the breakout player of the season, thanks to his solid performances in ACB (Spanish league) with Fuenlabrada. Playing 15 minutes per game in the most competitive domestic league in Europe, he’s averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds per game, with a couple of impressive performances against Real Madrid and Barcelona, when he had 11 points and 11 rebounds in each game. The 6-10 big man from Senegal has a solid frame, combined with a great wingspan which makes him a solid defensive presence. With his excellent lateral speed and mobility, he’s really effective in P&R situations on both ends of the court. His post fundamentals and positioning are still rather raw, but he has a great motor, intensity and good hands, showing intriguing upside. Definitely the prospect who could climb several spots on the draft board.

Aleksandar Vezenkov (’95, 6-8, SF, Bulgaria, Aris)
Vezenkov is currently the top performer in Europe among the International prospects, showing impressive maturity and a complete skillset. Standing 6-foot-8, he has solid size for the role, with the ability to use his body and physical strength to outpost smaller opponents. He shows an effective turnaround jumper and hook shot from post position, both taking the baseline or the painted area. His lefty shot has range and fluidity, making him a serious threat both from midrange and beyond the arc. His game style reminds of Mirza Teletovic, but with a better handle and ability to attack off the dribble. His draft stock is really high at the moment, with a concrete likelihood to be selected if he declares for the 2015 NBA draft. He’s averaging 17.5 pts and 9 rebounds in the Greek first division.

Rising

Kristaps Porzingis (’95, 7-1, PF, Latvia, Cajasol Seville)
With an average of 8 pts and 5 rebounds thus far and playing an important role for his ACB team, the Latvian prospect is confirming his status as the frontrunner of the international platoon headed to next NBA draft. His limits are still the same, but he’s starting to face and attack the basket with better confidence and consistency, even if his narrow frame limits the effectiveness of his game in the painted area. On the other hand, his mobility and smoothness is amazing for a 7-1 big man, granting him continuous mismatches on both sides of the court. A lottery pick is likely, but he’ll have to spend considerable time in the weight room before being ready for NBA physicality.

Cedi Osman (’95, 6-8, SF, Turkey, Efes Pielsen)
Osman is one of the most improved players in Europe, especially in terms of NBA prospects. Last season he wasn’t playing a lot with Efes, but after a victorious U20 European Championship with Turkey (he was named MVP of the competition) he’s having the opportunity to play solid minutes in Euroleague under coach Dusan Ivkovic. His maturity and basketball IQ are really impressive, with Osman often playing as a point forward thanks to his nice handle and passing skills. He’s a solid athlete even if not extremely explosive, but in a couple seasons he could become a solid back up forward even for NBA standards. He’s averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds, with a season high of 16 and 7 against Real Madrid.

Falling

Tomas Dimsa (’94, 6-5, SG, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas)
Dimsa was considered one of the most solid names for next NBA draft among the prospects in the international platoon, but after a couple of months during this 2014/2015 season his draft stock has fallen. He's averaging less than 5 minutes in Euroleague, 11 minutes in the Lithuanian league with 4.4 points per game. He has the size and skills to compete at a high level, but he needs to play with consistency.

Ilimane Diop (’95, 6-10, PF/C, Spain, Laboral Kutxa Vitoria)
At the end of last season Diop was included in Vitoria’s rotation, and started this season playing a fair amount of minutes on the court. The situation has changed, and in a team struggling both in ACB and Euroleague (Vitoria recently fired their coach Marco Crespi) his minutes on the court have decreased at a steady rate, with several DNPs in the last few games.

Mario Hezonja (’95, 6-7, SG, Croatia, FC Barcelona)
2 points and 1 rebound per game in ACB in barely 10 minutes on the court, this is not what everybody was expecting from the best European backcourt prospect in years. The problems remain the same: consistency and attitude, with glimpses of amazing talent (like during last Euroleague game against Milan) and just a minute later a turnover or an argument with a teammate or a referee. There are no doubts that he has the physical and technical potential to become a solid NBA player, but the task left in order to reach this goal remains substantial.

Flying Below the Radar

Rade Zagorac (’95, 6-8, SG/SF, Serbia, Mega Vizura)
Zagorac is one of the most intriguing young players in Europe, and a standard member of all Serbian youth teams. Standing 6-8, he has terrific size for the role, combined with a great wingspan which makes his shot difficult to block. His lefty stroke is quick and fluid, even if the trajectory of the ball still tends to be too flat. He has a nice handle, but he has to work on his ability to attack the basket and create from the dribble. Definitely a name to track, he’s averaging 11 points and 4.4 rebounds thus far in the Adriatic League, with a season high of 19.

Furkan Korkmaz (’97, 6-6, SG, Turkey, Efes Pielsen)
Korkmaz is probably the most NBA ready ’97 born player in Europe, playing more than 10 minutes on average in Euroleague at the age of 17. Standing at 6-6, he has solid size for the position, combined with good athleticism and leaping ability. His game sytle is reminiscent of Ibrahim Kutluay (even if he’s more athletic than him but less of a pure shooter), a legendary Turkish gunner, and one of the best European shooters all time. He’s playing with maturity on a really competitive team, showing the ability to hit both from three points and attacking the basket. He had a season high of 9 points and 7 rebounds in Euroleague against Novgorod.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I really like Vezenkov's game. He shows great game character on the court, definitely a winner type of player with a great understanding of the game. He will be a very very good player in Europe at the least. There were rumors that several Turkish teams were after him as well. Ivkovic wanted him for Efes but I don't know why it didn't happen, maybe his contract with Aris was an obstacle. But I want him for Fener the next season, I bet he would like to play for Obradovic.

In my opinion, he should play mostly SF as long as he stays in Europe although he would do good as a PF as well. But I'm really not sure about what he could do in the NBA. He probably cannot play SF in the NBA and I'm still not convinced about his size and strength as a PF in the NBA. He looks decent as a 6-8ish with Euro measurements but I don't know for sure if he measure up to 6-9+ in shoes. If he does, I think he can have a place for himself in the NBA too. He definitely can be one of those Millsap-like players who consistently prove that the game requires more than size and athleticism.

Porzingis is no doubt one of the best Euro prospects right now with his unique traits but I expect more from him. He is still far from having NBA ready body(not even close), he still doesn't posess anything resembling of a post game, he still cannot pass the ball. His rebounding isn't impressive either and his blocking is a bit overrated. I think whichever team drafts him will need to stash him for quite a time and hope that he will pan out to his potential. Because if he does, he can be a really special strecth-big man.

Jedi Osman is a special player and he will be talked about much more as the draft days get closer. I think he will be a first round pick and even a top 20 if he continues to his current play. Actually there is a very familiar comparison for him to the Jazz fans. It's non other than our precious Gordon Hayward. Both are extremely baby-faced, huge bodied and very talented kids. Jedi posesses the same versatility of Hayward at 6-8ish height and he has the same unexpected athleticism from a white player. Any NBA team that wants a similar player to Hayward should strongly consider and closely follow this kid. One thing that make him very special is the fact that he turned out to be an exceptionally good defensive player for his age. He effectively defends all 1-2-3 positions in Euroluague level despite being only 19 and I believe he can be an above average defender in the NBA too.

I think it's way too early to talk about Furkan Korkmaz. His potential is exciting. There are very few Euro players possessing killer shooting combined with athleticism. Plus he's another all around player who can do a little bit everything. But his shooting is his best skill without a doubt. He's just a pure shooter. I like him better than both Garcia and Mykhailiuk but like I said it's way too early to speak about him. He needs to develop his body and get much stronger in order to be able to play in the NBA. He really struggles in Euroleague level physically but it's expected since he is only 17 years old.

I agree about the Hezonja disappointment. But I hope it will be good for him in the long run. He definitely needs to understand that he is not a star player until he plays at the stars' level.

I'm not surprised about Diop's recession either. Something is missing with him. He has great length and a solid frame with adequte skills and touch but that thing I feel he lacks makes me hesitant. I will be on hold about him for now.
 
PKM said:
Okafor.
Towns with more upside and Okafor more sure thing.

The one area of Towns game that is surprising me is blocks. Averaging 6.33/36.
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Do you think Towns can be an elite defender? To me that's what is holding me back on him more than the offense which hasn't been great so far. I've seen some flashes of skill in defense this year that I didn't know he possess. The thing is... I really really don't want us to miss on the next great defensive big who can pass and be good offensively... He seems to be a great passer and I've always had a thing for bigs who have elite passing ability... I think if he figures stuff out defensively he can be an awesome player...
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlm3GSYEj6o

This is the 3&D guy in the draft. Buy(trade for) a pick and draft this guy.
 
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