At 7-foot-2 barefoot, with a 7-foot-9 wingspan, a massive standing reach, winglike agility, soft touch from 3, tremendous timing as a shot-blocker and excellent feel as a passer, 17-year-old Victor Wembanyama is the world's most intriguing NBA prospect. I made the 14-hour drive from Belgrade, Serbia, to Strasbourg, France, to get an updated look at Wembanyama, whom we've been evaluating extensively since he was 13 years old and have highlighted everywhere from ESPN.com to SVP over the years. Although Wembanyama, who plays for Nanterre just outside of Paris, was handed a DNP in the first-division game against Strasbourg, we were able to watch an hourlong warm-up, evaluate his physical progression and sit down with the teenage sensation.
(ESPN also performed live evaluations of prospects including Nikola Jovic, Gabriele Procida, Filip Petrusev, Roko Prkacin, Juhann Begarin, Hugo Besson, Rokas Jokubaitis, Ariel Hukporti, Abramo Canka and Vrenz Bleijenbergh. Detailed evaluations of those players and others are below).
New on ESPN: Meet Victor Wembanyama, the top NBA draft prospect in all of Europe. https://t.co/BsWhLWbJGN pic.twitter.com/p6JANsMlAS
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) February 12, 2020
What exactly is it that Wembanyama believes is so fascinating to NBA scouts and executives?
"The word I'd say is versatile," Wembanyama said of his game. "Being able to score at any level, any moment in the game. Taking responsibilities. Maybe 'Mr. Do Everything.'"
Wembanyama isn't NBA draft-eligible until 2023, but he is widely considered one of the best long-term prospects in the world, as long as he can remain healthy and stay on his current development path. The French player isn't nearly as polished as a prospect such as Paolo Banchero, the projected No. 1 pick in 2022, or even Chet Holmgren, who sits at No. 2 in 2022. You could surely make the argument that big playmakers such as Cade Cunningham are more valuable than bigs in today's NBA.
With the stagnant development of Emoni Bates, we've also been reminded of the dangers in tabbing young prospects "the next big thing" before they produce against elite competition. But to call Wembanyama the world's most intriguing prospect is not irresponsible or exaggerated. I've never seen a prospect quite like him, one whose learning curve figures to be aided by his perfect English, dedication to his craft and understanding of where he still needs to improve.
Although Wembanyama missed 2½ months with a stress fracture in his lower leg, he is now starting to earn first-division minutes with Nanterre, most recently registering 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in just 14 minutes in a win over Orleans. Wembanyama completely changed the game in the second half with his defensive presence and floor spacing. Not only can he shoot the 3 with incredible ease for his size, he already anchors a defense like a veteran with his instincts and timing.
Wembanyama is incredibly regimented in his approach, going through his own dynamic warm-up before the game and regularly getting up to stretch on the sidelines during live action. I even ran into him at the hotel gym the morning after the contest as he was working on his body with the strength coach in a cramped room not exactly built for 7-foot-2 big men.
"My weight is the priority, really," Wembanyama said, while noting that he is up to 220 pounds. "We are really working on it. The results can already be seen on the court."
Watch Wembanyama pregame and he is full of life, firing behind-the-back passes to teammates, handling like a guard and moving around with great energy. Even after the buzzer sounded and he registered a DNP, Wembanyama left the court with a ball in his hands, slipping it under his shooting shirt and spinning it around his torso in childlike fashion. Thirty minutes later, he was back out on the court getting shots up with a teammate.
"Most bigs play basketball because they're tall," said Wembanyama, who comes from a family of athletes. "I started playing basketball before knowing I would be 7-2. I can't picture myself not playing basketball."
That joy for the game shows in his demeanor. Wembanyama is incredibly grounded, as well, telling us he doesn't pay attention to all the noise about how great of a prospect he can be: "I'm just living my life as a normal 17-year-old guy."
But NBA scouts know he has a chance to be special, thanks in part to a strong support system around him. Wembanyama has forged a great relationship with fellow 7-foot-2 Frenchman Rudy Gobert, with whom he shares the same agent. While Gobert helps him with the mental aspect of the game, Wembanyama likes to study different players at every position. Wembanyama told us he picks one specific play from a given player, puts it in slow motion and analyzes all the intricacies of what makes certain moves most effective.
"The last clip I put in slow motion earlier today was the snatch of Donovan Mitchell against Washington," he said. "You must have seen it. I really like putting it in slow motion and looked at what he did with the little hesitation, the look, the feet, the arm, he pushed back the defender's arm."
Finding the balance between being an interior presence and a perimeter threat will be important for Wembanyama, as he floats around the 3-point line a bit too often. But that he has very few holes in his game from a skill perspective is a positive, considering his age. His most projectable offensive skill is his shooting, and you'll often hear Kristaps Porzingis comparisons because of that. Wembanyama has a feathery-soft touch from 3, even showing the ability to sprint out of the corner into catch-and-shoot 3s or knockdown pull-ups in a workout setting. He is just 12-of-59 from 3 in 21 games this season, but his 79% free throw clip is more indicative of his shooting potential. His massive reach and mobility also will make him a lob threat as he fills out. Although it's a tiny sample with just five France Pro A games, Wembanyama is averaging 19.8 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 3.8 blocks per 40 minutes.
The next step will be for the French big is to continue carving out a consistent role in the first division next season, becoming more comfortable with the physicality, adjusting to the speed of the game and playing consistent minutes without endangering his long-term health. Scouts might be able to get an updated look at him this summer with the U19 French national team.
While Nanterre is his home club, Wembanyama has received interest from clubs all over the world, given his incredible talent. Whether it's in Nanterre, another French club or abroad, Wembanyama has all the ingredients to live up to the expectations we've all placed on him. Like Gobert, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic before him, will Wembanyama become the next great international prospect to eventually take the NBA by storm?
"I'm sure of it," Wembanyama said with a smile.
Nikola Jovic: The next great Serbian prospect?
So often when young international prospects know a scout or talent evaluator is coming to a game, the nerves and pressure to perform are palpable. In what has become an annual tradition of sorts, most of the players I scouted on my two-week trip in Europe underperformed relative to their season averages.
Not Nikola Jovic, the best long-term prospect other than Wembanyama I saw on my trip .
Made the drive from Zagreb to Belgrade for a full day of hoops in Serbia. First, Mega vs FMP. No Filip Petrusev today but looking forward to seeing 17-year-old sensation Nikola Jovic. The 6-10 forward dominated ANGT Belgrade (U18): 29.3 PTS, 10.3 REBS, 4.5 AST in just 29.3 MIN. pic.twitter.com/4pLkKadv8p
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 11, 2021
Despite playing in just his third career Adriatic League game -- making his first start -- Jovic was as calm as could be, smiling on the floor and playing without a care in the world, as I watched from just a few rows up in Belgrade. The fluid 6-foot-10 wing scored 12 points (nine in the first quarter) in 24 minutes against FMP, knocking down a rhythm 3, dropping in a floater out of pick-and-roll and even holding his own in the midpost before using his 7-foot wingspan to erase a turnaround jumper. He was the best player on the floor in the first quarter at age 17. Like most young prospects, he got lost off the ball defensively, was beaten off the dribble a couple of times and missed a few boxouts, but the calm demeanor, shooting touch and fluidity really stood out.
"I feel comfortable doing anything on the court," Jovic told us in an interview the day after the game.
So where did Jovic come from, why is there so much excitement around him abroad and how does he project at the next level?
Usually, the top international talents burst onto the scene as 15- or 16-year-olds playing for their junior national teams. Some, like Wembanyama, are even household names before that. Luka Doncic was a prodigy making waves in Europe by age 13. But Jovic was a prototypical late bloomer who didn't even start playing basketball seriously until he was 13, focusing instead on water polo for Serbian club Partizan while spending his summers on the seaside in Montenegro.
He eventually picked up basketball and moved to a small club called Sava in Belgrade, where some remember seeing him knock down 11 3s in a game with no shortage of confidence at around 6-foot-1.
"Just shooting, that's all," Jovic said of his game when he was young. "Because I was skinny, I didn't like to go inside and finish."
Jovic eventually sprouted to around 6-foot-5 and made the move to Mega Soccer Bet, the same club that helped produce players such as Nikola Jokic and Goga Bitadze, among others. Jovic was poised for a breakout summer at the FIBA U16 European Championships in 2019 in Udine, Italy, where Wembanyama also had his coming-out party. But in a preparation game against France, Jovic broke his right arm and had to miss the tournament. Last summer, all FIBA tournaments were canceled because of COVID-19, so Jovic was again kept under wraps.
Now listed at 6-foot-10, Jovic finally had his breakout tournament in front of NBA scouts at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (U18) in Belgrade in March. Although the level of play at the tournament was down, the rangy wing averaged an eye-opening 29.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 blocks in under 30 minutes, while shooting 66% from 2 and 17% from 3 -- and winning MVP -- in the process. Despite the shooting woes from 3, his touch was clear, and he terrorized opponents in the open court.
Whether it's catch-and-shoot 3s, midrange pull-ups or post turnarounds off one leg, the jumbo wing can score it at all three levels with incredible ease. He has a strong feel for the game and excellent scoring instincts, and he is finally growing into his body a little bit, although he thinks he might still have another inch ahead of him. Jovic surely still has room to improve his frame, ballhandling, decision-making and defense, which he'll be the first to admit. But the foundational skill set and confidence are that of a future lottery pick, and he has the pathway to playing time next season in Mega.
Though Doncic is the clear prototype for international perimeter prospects such as Jovic, he also studies players such as Kevin Durant, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Jovic is intrigued by the NBA game, and with a strong 2021-22 campaign in Belgrade, could become a household name stateside as the next great Serbian prospect to stick in the NBA.
"I like NBA playing style -- run, shoot," Jovic said. "It's like showtime. I'm big. I can run. I can shoot. I think I'm able to play at that level soon. We'll see."
Scouts who have made it out to Belgrade to see Filip Petrusev and other Balkan prospects in the 2021 draft are usually left raving about Jovic and his long-term potential. Most American scouts will likely get their first in-depth look at Jovic this July, when he makes his national team debut at the U19 World Championships in Latvia. Should he dominate his age group at the U19s, as expected, Jovic is worthy of consideration in the top 10 of 2022.
The rest of the 2021 international class
While Josh Giddey, Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba are the headliners and potential lottery picks in this 2021 international class, there's still quite a bit of depth behind them, including a couple of potential sleepers we evaluated overseas.
In addition to Istanbul, I also traveled to Croatia, Serbia, Italy, France, Belgium and Lithuania to conduct film session interviews and evaluate prospects. It's worth noting that the majority of international scouts have remained in their home markets given the COVID-19 pandemic, making this a more difficult class to get a feel for as far as team consensus goes. As Jonathan Givony reported, American-based executives were recently approved to travel abroad, if fully vaccinated, giving them the chance to see a lot of these prospects in person for the first time.
Here are some names to know that we either saw play live or conducted film sessions with
Made it to Brescia, Italy to watch 6-7 Italian wing Gabriele Procida. The 18-year-old is having an excellent season for Cantu in the Italian 1st division. Fluid athlete who can shoot it on the move: 41% from 3 on 75 attempts so far this season. pic.twitter.com/gnnhQ7pGYX
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 14, 2021
Gabriele Procida | 6-foot-8 wing | Italian | Cantu | 18.8 years old | 51st overall
Out of all the prospects I evaluated, Procida is the prospect I'd feel most comfortable stamping as a sleeper with a real chance to play in the NBA and outplay his projected draft slot -- whether he targets the 2021 draft or not. At almost 6-foot-8 with wide shoulders, a sweet shooting stroke and excellent fluidity, Procida has the ingredients to eventually carve out a role at the highest level if he can continue to improve as a ball handler, decision-maker and defender.
Watching him warm up in Brescia, Italy, for about an hour, it didn't take long to realize that he is one of the best shooters in this draft class, with the ability to knock down shots on the move and finish above the rim in space. On the season, the 18-year-old Italian player is shooting 42% from 3 on 81 attempts in his first full season at the first division level, shooting the ball with confidence, even sprinting off screens or rising into pull-ups.
As is often the case with young players, Procida was on a short leash the night I evaluated him, playing six total minutes after he was sent to the bench for the rest of the game following a missed dunk and blown defensive assignment at the end of the first half. The game can move a bit fast for him on both ends of the floor right now. and he is certainly not ready to play in an NBA playoff game tomorrow. He is still a bit slight in stature and far from a finished product physically. But from studying his film extensively, it became clear that he fits an NBA prototype and has the energy and baseline physical ability needed to hold his own defensively as his body matures.
Procida also does a lot of the little things you need from role players -- regularly crashing the offensive glass for tip dunks, jumping the passing lanes for a steal or scampering back door for an easy finish. Whether it's Kevin Huerter or Furkan Korkmaz, size and shooting is king on the wing in today's NBA, and Procida can offer both to an organization willing to invest in him long term as a draft-and-stash prospect. A late bloomer who is still somewhat unknown to most NBA executives, Procida is the type of prospect who could have broken out in a Nike Hoop Summit type of setting in a normal year without a pandemic.
With Filip Petrusev winning MVP of the Adriatic League, here's a sneak peak of our ESPN Film Session live from Belgrade, Serbia. pic.twitter.com/5LzyPcAA5j
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 28, 2021
Filip Petrusev | 7-0 C | Serbian | Mega Soccer Bet | 21 years old | 32nd overall
Unfortunately, the former Gonzaga standout and 2020 West Coast Conference Player of the Year injured his calf, so we weren't able to see Petrusev take the floor for Mega Soccer Bet in Belgrade. We were, however, able to sit down for a film session with the 21-year-old 7-footer, taking a deep dive into his tape this season. Petrusev has been nothing short of dominant for Mega Soccer Bet through 21 games, averaging 23.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 31.6 minutes, while shooting over 61% from 2 and 41.9% from 3 and winning Adriatic League MVP at just 21 years old. According to our database, the only other under-22 player to average at least 20 points and seven rebounds on over 60% from 2 and 40% from 3 was Goga Bitadze, who was drafted 18th overall in 2019 and also won ABA MVP.
Playing mostly on the interior at Gonzaga (41 threes in 65 games), Petrusev has modernized his game quite a bit since making the move from Spokane, Washington, to his hometown of Belgrade, shooting 3 treys per game at a 42% clip while maintaining his polished post-up scoring attack. He has outstanding touch on his left shoulder jump hook. He is comfortable knocking down back-shoulder turnarounds. He also is an agile roller with elite hands. Simply put, he is a bucket any time he can catch 15 feet and in, thanks to his size, footwork and touch.
Petrusev also showed off his expanded game playing with the Serbian senior national team under Igor Kokoshkov when he went for 27 points and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes against Georgia, knocking down a pair of spot-up 3s. He still has work to do as a facilitator and ball-handler to fully modernize his offensive repertoire, but he's made clear steps in the right direction with his shooting, making him a target as high as the late first-round of this draft, especially if he would be willing to do a stash year in Europe. Some intentional scouts prefer him to prospects like Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba.
Despite his growth, Petrusev -- who models his game after Nikola Vucevic -- still has quite a bit of room to improve on the defensive end. He's mobile enough to step out and guard on the perimeter in spurts, but he's not the most natural rim protector even with a wingspan around 7-0 (1.4 blocks per 40 minutes). His motor and discipline as a pick-and-roll defender could also use a boost. Corralling just 9.5 rebounds per 40 minutes, becoming more aggressive and physical on the glass would give him another outlet to impact the game when he's not scoring.
As we've seen with bigs ranging from Frank Kaminsky to Moritz Wagner to Meyers Leonard, there's a role for mobile floor-spacers in the NBA. Even with all of Gonzaga's success, Petrusev has clearly benefited from his move back to Europe, and if he can turn his improved jumper into a weapon from the NBA line, it's easy to see him solidifying a role off the bench in the NBA.
It's also worth noting that 20-year-old Croatian big man Karlo Matkovic has been excellent in Petrusev's absence. High energy and bouncy at 6-11, we saw Matkovic go for 21 points and 9 rebounds in 27 minutes in a loss to FMP. Matkovic is averaging 21.5 points, 13.4 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per 40 minutes on the season playing a Drew Eubanks type of role for Mega.
18-year-old Croatian forward Roko Prkacin warming up before Cibona takes on Zadar here in Zagreb. A highly-touted youth player known for his feel and versatility at 6-9, Prkacin has improved as a perimeter shooter. He's knocking down 35% of his 3s in 20 Adriatic League games. pic.twitter.com/xxXg5JOPYQ
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 10, 2021
Roko Prkacin | 6-9 forward | Croatian | Cibona | 18.4 years old | 39th overall
The youngest international prospect in the draft, Prkacin is a versatile forward with great size at 6-9, an excellent frame, huge hands, a strong feel for the game, and an improved shooting stroke, making him an attractive draft-and-stash option for teams in the early 2nd round. The 18-year-old battled foul trouble and turnover issues in the game I scouted live against Zadar, clearing putting pressure on himself to perform. But he bounced back with a career-best 38-point outing the following week and is in the midst of a strong statistical season for Cibona in the Adriatic League. Despite Cibona's struggles as a club at 9-16, Prkacin is averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 27.4 minutes while shooting 53% from 2 and 39% from 3 in 24 ABA League games.
Prkacin does a lot of things well on the floor as he's able to push in the open court, thread bounce passes through tight windows, and function as either a pick-and-pop big man or a ball screen initiator in spurts, with Cibona using him anywhere from 3 to 5. He's also capable of beating switches in the mid-post area. Although not overly quick or shifty with the ball, he's a good leaper in space with a big reach, which has resulted in his fair share of highlight dunks this season. With that in mind, Prkacin isn't the most fluid mover, has a lot of room to improve his defensive range, and can play with a more consistent motor, needing to put his strength and 6-11 wingspan to use with more regularity defensively. Often compared to former Cibona standout Dario Saric growing up, Prkacin could stand to show more consistency in the energy department, which was a staple of Saric's game at a young age.
Even if he's not a Saric prototype, Prkacin still has a strong résumé of his own. The son of a longtime national team standout and Euroleague player, Nikola Prkacin, Roko has been on the radar since he was a young teen and caught our eye early on thanks to his mature style of play on the FIBA circuit, knocking off Garuba and Spain to win the 2018 U16 Euros. Still in search of one elite skill to hang his hat on, turning himself into a more reliable shooter has always been the key to his NBA projection, as he won't be able to rely on his physical maturity as heavily as he does now.
New on ESPN: Croatian forward Roko Prkacin shines as the top NBA prospect at the U16 Euros. More on Prkacin and 11 other NBA prospects from Novi Sad/Sarajevo. https://t.co/1f5IG9SxlR
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) August 22, 2018
Prkacin is trending in the right direction as a shooter this season, though, boosting his percentage from 26% to 36%. He still fights an inconsistent follow through and has a tendency to shoot on the way down at times, but he has the touch to eventually become a reliable floor spacer. Despite his strong frame at 220, Prkacin shouldn't be expected to have an impact in an NBA game tomorrow, but he plays a highly coveted forward position, has a strong track record both on the FIBA circuit and in the Adriatic League, and ticks a lot of the boxes teams look for in an international prospect. Hybrid forwards get a lot of bites at the apple to prove themselves in the NBA, which bodes well for a guy like Prkacin long term. I'd be interested to see what he looks like in an NBA Combine setting, where we saw Luka Samanic turn himself into the 19th overall pick with his play in Chicago. Maybe Prkacin can find similar success.
Made the drive to Saint Quentin, France for some Pro B action. Great prospect matchup between Juhann Begarin and Hugo Besson. The 18-year-old Begarin is averaging 12 PTS in 26 MIN while shooting 58% from 2 and 34% from 3. Physically impressive at 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan. pic.twitter.com/DHcqxEdr2x
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 20, 2021
Juhann Begarin | 6-6 wing | French | Paris Basket | 18.7 years old | 45th overall
In Saint Quentin, France against fellow French prospect Hugo Besson, we saw Begarin play a similar role to one he would play in the NBA, defending the opposing team's best player and getting out in transition to make plays. Begarin limited Besson, one of France Pro B's top scorers, to 5 points on 9 shots in 30 minutes of action, showed off his dynamic speed in the open court, and even made a few impressive passes that he didn't have in his repertoire a season ago. Begarin has the most NBA-ready tools of any international perimeter prospect in the draft at close to 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan and the foot speed to defend up to three positions when fully motivated. He's an explosive athlete who can play above the rim in space.
Not as energetic of a rebounder and off-ball defender as he could be, if Begarin can buy into consistently being a lockdown defender while continuing to iron out his shooting stroke (32% from 3), it's easy to see him playing a role in the NBA in time. Fellow French wing Timothe Luwawu is proof that if you can defend a couple positions and at least be a threat to knock down open 3s, you'll have a lot of opportunities to stick in the NBA. Begarin's physical tools also closely rival Josh Okogie's at the same stage.
Begarin's handle, touch as a finisher and jumper are still a work in progress. He would benefit from improving his shot prep, speeding up his release, and minimizing the side to side movement on his shooting motion. He's also still learning when to attack, when to facilitate and when to rely on his jumper. But if a team feels the Guadalupe native has enough shooting potential to work with, he's certainly worthy of a second-round pick. Like Prkacin, scouts would be interested to evaluate Begarin in a setting like the NBA combine to see how he stacks up against other young wing prospects in this draft. A couple strong defensive games against college stars could go a long way in solidifying his draft stock.
First live look at 19-year-old French guard Hugo Besson, who is putting up big numbers for Saint Quentin: 15.8 PTS and 2.7 AST in just 28.1 MIN while shooting 61% from 2 and 31% from 3. Microwave scorer at 6-4. pic.twitter.com/VrRDw0SqM6
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 20, 2021
Hugo Besson | 6-4 combo | Saint Quentin | French | 20.0 years old
While we saw Besson's worst game of the season from a productivity standpoint (5 point on 9 shots in 30 minutes), he still caught my eye with his improved floor game, confidence and competitiveness as a 6-4 combo guard who can score it at all 3 levels. Besson has been a revelation this season in his first full year at the pro level. He ranks second in all of France's second division in scoring at 16.9 points in just 28.4 minutes while shooting 60% from 2 and 35% from 3 and moonlighting as a point guard for stretches, averaging 3.9 assists per 40 minutes.
He topped 25 points in four games this season, most recently dropping 27 on Blois while knocking down 6-of-9 3s. Although on the streaky side when sprinting off screens, he's shown the ability to shoot the ball on the move, is capable of pulling up off the bounce, and is converting a remarkable 67% of his shots at the rim, impressive when you consider his average physical profile at 6-4, 196 pounds. Often earning comparisons to Nando De Colo in France, Besson's ability to play on or off the ball and go for 20 on any given night should make him attractive to NBA teams as he climbs up the ranks in Europe.
He still needs to improve as a defender, turn himself into a knockdown shooter, and take his ball screen reads to the next level. But with the success of microwave scorers ranging from Tyler Herro to Jordan Clarkson in today's NBA, scouts would be wise to get familiar with Besson because of his confident shot-making ability and rapidly improving game at just 20 years old. Still unknown to most scouts as he was never invited to the French junior national team, Besson's peak draft stock should come in 2022, especially since he's garnering interest from clubs all over Europe and beyond for next season.
In Klaipeda, Lithuania to watch Zalgiris and 6-5 guard Rokas Jokubaitis against Neptunas. The 20-year-old is playing a big role for the Lithuanian powerhouse in both Euroleague and LKL: 7.6 PTS and 3.1 AST in 20.3 MIN while shooting 52% from 2 and 32% from 3. High energy guard. pic.twitter.com/jZqmM2RFKo
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 18, 2021
Rokas Jokubaitis | 6-5 combo | Lithuanian | Zalgiris | 20.4 years old | 41st overall
The last time we evaluated Jokubaitis in Lithuania was in January of 2018 when he put 31 points on LaMelo Ball and Vytautas in front of 100,000 fans watching on Facebook while playing the Zalgiris youth team. Jokubaitis has developed quite a bit since then, growing to 6-5, filling out his frame, and carving out a real role for Zalgiris in both the Lithuanian League and the Euroleague. It's rare for 20-year-olds to play at least 20 minutes per night at the Euroleague level, but Jokubaitis is doing exactly that, joining names like Doncic, Saric, Ricky Rubio and Beno Udrih as some of the only sub-21 prospects to have such a big role since 2000.
Playing both on and off the ball this season, Jokubaitis is a lefty combo guard who does most of his damage inside the arc with short pull-ups or scooping finishes. At his best when he can get downhill to his left hand, he's also a creative passer who can both hit the roll man from different angles or fire cross-court passes to open shooters. Shooting is his clear swing skill, as too often teams will go under ball screens against him without much consequence. He's improved off the catch, but with his best moment usually coming with the ball in his hands, boosting his off-the-dribble range will be important to his long term success, as he's shooting just 31% from 3 this season.
But Jokubaitis is a competitor on the defensive end and plays with great spirit overall. A longtime favorite of former head coach and ex-NBA player Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Jokubaitis is beloved within the Lithuanian powerhouse and is an ideal draft-and-stash candidate given his strong development situation in Kaunas, and the fact that his role should continue to grow with the Lithuanian National team. Jokubaitis, who told us he studies Goran Dragic closely, still needs to improve his right hand, shooting stroke and off ball defense, but his game and situational factors will earn him looks as high as the early 2nd round as a pick-and-roll combo guards who brings energy to the court.
Speaking of guards with great draft-and-stash situations, Carlos Alocen with Real Madrid is also a name to know. He didn't take the floor against Fenerbahce when we were evaluating Garuba, but at 6-5 with an excellent court sense and vision, he's a prospect scouts are very familiar with. Like Jokubaitis, his swing skill is his shooting.
Great to be able to watch 19-year-old 7-footer Ariel Hukporti work out with @Dgale14 out in Lithuania. Really impressed with his development as a shooter since I first evaluated him at the U16 Euros in 2017. He's shooting 32% from 3 in 15 Lithuanian League games this year. pic.twitter.com/VVnOG4KMqg
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 19, 2021
Ariel Hukporti | 7-0 center | German-Togolese | Nevezis | 19.0 years old | 44th overall
While we weren't able to see Hukporti take the floor for Nevezis in a 5 on 5 game, we did watch him go through a full individual workout with American coach David Gale in the small town of Kedainiai, Lithuania. For more on the season Hukporti is having in the Lithuanian League -- 17.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes -- here's Jonathan Givony's recent scouting report.
If NBA teams see the same 1-on-0 workout I did in Lithuania, Hukporti should garner interest in the top-40, especially with his willingness to take his time and first develop in the G League. Standing 7-0 with a 250-pound frame and a reported 7-4 wingspan, Hukporti splashed catch-and- shoot 3 after catch-and-shoot 3 with great rotation, arc and soft touch, even stepping out beyond NBA range at times.
While not the most natural shooter coming up in Germany, the Togolese-German lefty has become a legitimate weapon from beyond the arc, even showing the ability to put the ball down a little bit into floaters on occasion. His sub-50% free throw shooting will be a red flag for analytics models. The game also still moves too fast for him on both ends of the floor, and you never want to overvalue a 1-on-0 workout. Narrow-hipped for his size, he needs time to improve his lower body strength and mobility, and continue learning the nuances of team defense while bettering his offensive decision making (20 assists to 53 turnovers).
But I left Lithuania viewing Hukporti as an intriguing second-rounder for a team with a strong G League program and a history of development, largely because of his improvement as a shooter. Thomas Bryant is a great player for Hukporti to try and emulate.
Enjoyed watching 19-year-old Nevezis wing Abramo Canka work out in Lithuania. Have always been a big fan of his motor, toughness and approach to the game. Good athlete at 6-6 with an improved shooting stroke (36% from 3). Italian with roots from Senegal, Turkey and Albania. pic.twitter.com/aF2kwVFJK2
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 19, 2021
Abramo Canka | 6-6 attacking guard | Italian | Nevezis | 19.1 years old | 37th, 2022 draft
We were also able to watch Italian guard Abramo Canka go through an individual workout in Lithuania. While he's more of a gamer known for his defensive intensity at 6-6, it was good to see that his jump shot is progressing (31%) from 3 and that he's filling out his frame, somewhat resembling RJ Hampton from a physical perspective. Canka is an explosive slash-and-pass style guard who can put pressure on the rim, make basic reads, and defend with energy.
Born in Italy to a Senegalese father and Turkish-Albanian mother, Canka is a basketball encyclopedia, one of the most focused prospects I've ever been around and someone teams would be wise to learn more about as his game matures. A projected early second-round pick in 2022, Canka is a breakout candidate next season.
Vrenz Bleijenbergh getting shots up ahead of Antwerp practice in Belgium. We've been tracking his development since he made his FIBA debut at the U16 Euros B Division in Sofia, Bulgaria back in 2016. Was paper thin but skilled and confident. pic.twitter.com/l7Bj4q8fs6
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 20, 2021
Vrenz Bleijenbergh | 6-10 wing | Belgian | Antwerp | 20.5 years old
We stopped in Antwerp, Belgium for a sit-down film session Bleijenbergh, whom we've been tracking closely since we first saw him in 2016 at the U16s. Bleijenbergh has helped put himself on the map as a legitimate NBA prospect with his play this season, averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per 40 minutes in Belgian League and EuroCup play, functioning more or less as the lead ball handler for his hometown club.
The 20-year-old is an NBA-caliber passer who can play pick-and-roll at 6-10, hitting the roll man in stride or using his size to see over the top for weakside skips. A streaky 3-point shooter and average finisher in traffic, Bleijenbergh still has questions to answer about his ability to score efficiently in the half court. He's also an inconsistent defender in the energy and toughness departments. But he shows enough defensive glimpses with his positional length and fluidity when fully motivated -- 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per 40 minutes -- to instill confidence that he can hold his own on that end as his body continues to mature.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic limiting in-person evaluations, Bleijenbergh may still be a year away from maximizing his draft stock, but he's bound to garner interest because of his size and court vision, especially if he can prove he can be a more consistent shooter. Whether it's Joe Ingles, Isaac Bonga or anyone in between, tall wings who can handle and pass have a market in the NBA.
Others to Note
We evaluated Turkish guard Shemus Hazer in Istanbul as he went for 25 points in 35 minutes. Hazer is a 6-4 off guard who is in the midst of a productive season with Beskitias, averaging 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Hazer needs to produce at the highest levels of Europe before garnering true NBA interest, particularly improving his shooting stroke, but his motor, toughness and attacking style make the 22-year-old worth monitoring.
We checked in on Serbian big man Dalibor Ilic, who is starting for Igokea in the Adriatic League. Ilic has always been physically intriguing at 6-9 with a 7-0 wingspan and great feet, yet still hasn't improved his perimeter shooting and playmaking enough to be a target for the 2021 NBA draft. With that said, we'll continue tracking Ilic given his defensive versatility along with the fact that he's playing over 20 minutes per game at 21 years old.
We were able to evaluate 19-year-old French guard Malcolm Cazalon, who is in the midst of a bounce-back season for Mega in Serbia. A highly-touted youth prospect alongside Killian Hayes and Theo Maledon, Cazalon has had his ups and downs over his young career, playing in 10 games in Belgium last season before ultimately landing in Serbia. Although he still has quite a bit of room to improve defensively and as a decision-maker, the lefty is turning into a fairly reliable shooter at 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan and is evolving as a pick-and-roll passer. Cazalon is targeting the 2022 NBA draft.
French guard Jayson Tchicamboud is a hard-nosed defender at 6-4 who changed the complexion of the Strasbourg-Nanterre game we scouted with his energy. The 19-year-old needs to improve his shooting stroke and physicality, but he has positional size, good feet defensively and a strong feel for the game as a playmaker on offense.
Although we didn't see him on this trip, one of the most physically intriguing prospects in this year's draft is Ibou Badji, the Senegalese big man playing in Barcelona who stands 7-1 with a 7-9 wingspan and some of the best feet you'll see for a player his size. A lob-catching shot-blocker, we evaluated Badji and fellow Senegalese big man Khalifa Diop, who is developing nicely in Gran Canaria thanks to his motor and underrated passing, at the U18 African Championships in Cairo.
We weren't able to make it out to Cholet but French big man Yoan Makoundou is starting to generate some buzz in Europe with his high-flying dunks thanks to his leaping ability and huge standing reach at 6-9. The 20-year-old mobile big man could garner interest in the second round of 2021 or 2022 as he rounds out his skill set.
At 7-foot-2 barefoot, with a 7-foot-9 wingspan, a massive standing reach, winglike agility, soft touch from 3, tremendous timing as a shot-blocker and excellent feel as a passer, 17-year-old Victor Wembanyama is the world's most intriguing NBA prospect. I made the 14-hour drive from Belgrade, Serbia, to Strasbourg, France, to get an updated look at Wembanyama, whom we've been evaluating extensively since he was 13 years old and have highlighted everywhere from ESPN.com to SVP over the years. Although Wembanyama, who plays for Nanterre just outside of Paris, was handed a DNP in the first-division game against Strasbourg, we were able to watch an hourlong warm-up, evaluate his physical progression and sit down with the teenage sensation.
(ESPN also performed live evaluations of prospects including Nikola Jovic, Gabriele Procida, Filip Petrusev, Roko Prkacin, Juhann Begarin, Hugo Besson, Rokas Jokubaitis, Ariel Hukporti, Abramo Canka and Vrenz Bleijenbergh. Detailed evaluations of those players and others are below).
New on ESPN: Meet Victor Wembanyama, the top NBA draft prospect in all of Europe. https://t.co/BsWhLWbJGN pic.twitter.com/p6JANsMlAS
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) February 12, 2020
What exactly is it that Wembanyama believes is so fascinating to NBA scouts and executives?
"The word I'd say is versatile," Wembanyama said of his game. "Being able to score at any level, any moment in the game. Taking responsibilities. Maybe 'Mr. Do Everything.'"
Wembanyama isn't NBA draft-eligible until 2023, but he is widely considered one of the best long-term prospects in the world, as long as he can remain healthy and stay on his current development path. The French player isn't nearly as polished as a prospect such as Paolo Banchero, the projected No. 1 pick in 2022, or even Chet Holmgren, who sits at No. 2 in 2022. You could surely make the argument that big playmakers such as Cade Cunningham are more valuable than bigs in today's NBA.
With the stagnant development of Emoni Bates, we've also been reminded of the dangers in tabbing young prospects "the next big thing" before they produce against elite competition. But to call Wembanyama the world's most intriguing prospect is not irresponsible or exaggerated. I've never seen a prospect quite like him, one whose learning curve figures to be aided by his perfect English, dedication to his craft and understanding of where he still needs to improve.
Although Wembanyama missed 2½ months with a stress fracture in his lower leg, he is now starting to earn first-division minutes with Nanterre, most recently registering 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in just 14 minutes in a win over Orleans. Wembanyama completely changed the game in the second half with his defensive presence and floor spacing. Not only can he shoot the 3 with incredible ease for his size, he already anchors a defense like a veteran with his instincts and timing.
Wembanyama is incredibly regimented in his approach, going through his own dynamic warm-up before the game and regularly getting up to stretch on the sidelines during live action. I even ran into him at the hotel gym the morning after the contest as he was working on his body with the strength coach in a cramped room not exactly built for 7-foot-2 big men.
"My weight is the priority, really," Wembanyama said, while noting that he is up to 220 pounds. "We are really working on it. The results can already be seen on the court."
Watch Wembanyama pregame and he is full of life, firing behind-the-back passes to teammates, handling like a guard and moving around with great energy. Even after the buzzer sounded and he registered a DNP, Wembanyama left the court with a ball in his hands, slipping it under his shooting shirt and spinning it around his torso in childlike fashion. Thirty minutes later, he was back out on the court getting shots up with a teammate.
"Most bigs play basketball because they're tall," said Wembanyama, who comes from a family of athletes. "I started playing basketball before knowing I would be 7-2. I can't picture myself not playing basketball."
That joy for the game shows in his demeanor. Wembanyama is incredibly grounded, as well, telling us he doesn't pay attention to all the noise about how great of a prospect he can be: "I'm just living my life as a normal 17-year-old guy."
But NBA scouts know he has a chance to be special, thanks in part to a strong support system around him. Wembanyama has forged a great relationship with fellow 7-foot-2 Frenchman Rudy Gobert, with whom he shares the same agent. While Gobert helps him with the mental aspect of the game, Wembanyama likes to study different players at every position. Wembanyama told us he picks one specific play from a given player, puts it in slow motion and analyzes all the intricacies of what makes certain moves most effective.
"The last clip I put in slow motion earlier today was the snatch of Donovan Mitchell against Washington," he said. "You must have seen it. I really like putting it in slow motion and looked at what he did with the little hesitation, the look, the feet, the arm, he pushed back the defender's arm."
Finding the balance between being an interior presence and a perimeter threat will be important for Wembanyama, as he floats around the 3-point line a bit too often. But that he has very few holes in his game from a skill perspective is a positive, considering his age. His most projectable offensive skill is his shooting, and you'll often hear Kristaps Porzingis comparisons because of that. Wembanyama has a feathery-soft touch from 3, even showing the ability to sprint out of the corner into catch-and-shoot 3s or knockdown pull-ups in a workout setting. He is just 12-of-59 from 3 in 21 games this season, but his 79% free throw clip is more indicative of his shooting potential. His massive reach and mobility also will make him a lob threat as he fills out. Although it's a tiny sample with just five France Pro A games, Wembanyama is averaging 19.8 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 3.8 blocks per 40 minutes.
The next step will be for the French big is to continue carving out a consistent role in the first division next season, becoming more comfortable with the physicality, adjusting to the speed of the game and playing consistent minutes without endangering his long-term health. Scouts might be able to get an updated look at him this summer with the U19 French national team.
While Nanterre is his home club, Wembanyama has received interest from clubs all over the world, given his incredible talent. Whether it's in Nanterre, another French club or abroad, Wembanyama has all the ingredients to live up to the expectations we've all placed on him. Like Gobert, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic before him, will Wembanyama become the next great international prospect to eventually take the NBA by storm?
"I'm sure of it," Wembanyama said with a smile.
Nikola Jovic: The next great Serbian prospect?
So often when young international prospects know a scout or talent evaluator is coming to a game, the nerves and pressure to perform are palpable. In what has become an annual tradition of sorts, most of the players I scouted on my two-week trip in Europe underperformed relative to their season averages.
Not Nikola Jovic, the best long-term prospect other than Wembanyama I saw on my trip .
Made the drive from Zagreb to Belgrade for a full day of hoops in Serbia. First, Mega vs FMP. No Filip Petrusev today but looking forward to seeing 17-year-old sensation Nikola Jovic. The 6-10 forward dominated ANGT Belgrade (U18): 29.3 PTS, 10.3 REBS, 4.5 AST in just 29.3 MIN. pic.twitter.com/4pLkKadv8p
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 11, 2021
Despite playing in just his third career Adriatic League game -- making his first start -- Jovic was as calm as could be, smiling on the floor and playing without a care in the world, as I watched from just a few rows up in Belgrade. The fluid 6-foot-10 wing scored 12 points (nine in the first quarter) in 24 minutes against FMP, knocking down a rhythm 3, dropping in a floater out of pick-and-roll and even holding his own in the midpost before using his 7-foot wingspan to erase a turnaround jumper. He was the best player on the floor in the first quarter at age 17. Like most young prospects, he got lost off the ball defensively, was beaten off the dribble a couple of times and missed a few boxouts, but the calm demeanor, shooting touch and fluidity really stood out.
"I feel comfortable doing anything on the court," Jovic told us in an interview the day after the game.
So where did Jovic come from, why is there so much excitement around him abroad and how does he project at the next level?
Usually, the top international talents burst onto the scene as 15- or 16-year-olds playing for their junior national teams. Some, like Wembanyama, are even household names before that. Luka Doncic was a prodigy making waves in Europe by age 13. But Jovic was a prototypical late bloomer who didn't even start playing basketball seriously until he was 13, focusing instead on water polo for Serbian club Partizan while spending his summers on the seaside in Montenegro.
He eventually picked up basketball and moved to a small club called Sava in Belgrade, where some remember seeing him knock down 11 3s in a game with no shortage of confidence at around 6-foot-1.
"Just shooting, that's all," Jovic said of his game when he was young. "Because I was skinny, I didn't like to go inside and finish."
Jovic eventually sprouted to around 6-foot-5 and made the move to Mega Soccer Bet, the same club that helped produce players such as Nikola Jokic and Goga Bitadze, among others. Jovic was poised for a breakout summer at the FIBA U16 European Championships in 2019 in Udine, Italy, where Wembanyama also had his coming-out party. But in a preparation game against France, Jovic broke his right arm and had to miss the tournament. Last summer, all FIBA tournaments were canceled because of COVID-19, so Jovic was again kept under wraps.
Now listed at 6-foot-10, Jovic finally had his breakout tournament in front of NBA scouts at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (U18) in Belgrade in March. Although the level of play at the tournament was down, the rangy wing averaged an eye-opening 29.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 blocks in under 30 minutes, while shooting 66% from 2 and 17% from 3 -- and winning MVP -- in the process. Despite the shooting woes from 3, his touch was clear, and he terrorized opponents in the open court.
Whether it's catch-and-shoot 3s, midrange pull-ups or post turnarounds off one leg, the jumbo wing can score it at all three levels with incredible ease. He has a strong feel for the game and excellent scoring instincts, and he is finally growing into his body a little bit, although he thinks he might still have another inch ahead of him. Jovic surely still has room to improve his frame, ballhandling, decision-making and defense, which he'll be the first to admit. But the foundational skill set and confidence are that of a future lottery pick, and he has the pathway to playing time next season in Mega.
Though Doncic is the clear prototype for international perimeter prospects such as Jovic, he also studies players such as Kevin Durant, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Jovic is intrigued by the NBA game, and with a strong 2021-22 campaign in Belgrade, could become a household name stateside as the next great Serbian prospect to stick in the NBA.
"I like NBA playing style -- run, shoot," Jovic said. "It's like showtime. I'm big. I can run. I can shoot. I think I'm able to play at that level soon. We'll see."
Scouts who have made it out to Belgrade to see Filip Petrusev and other Balkan prospects in the 2021 draft are usually left raving about Jovic and his long-term potential. Most American scouts will likely get their first in-depth look at Jovic this July, when he makes his national team debut at the U19 World Championships in Latvia. Should he dominate his age group at the U19s, as expected, Jovic is worthy of consideration in the top 10 of 2022.
The rest of the 2021 international class
While Josh Giddey, Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba are the headliners and potential lottery picks in this 2021 international class, there's still quite a bit of depth behind them, including a couple of potential sleepers we evaluated overseas.
In addition to Istanbul, I also traveled to Croatia, Serbia, Italy, France, Belgium and Lithuania to conduct film session interviews and evaluate prospects. It's worth noting that the majority of international scouts have remained in their home markets given the COVID-19 pandemic, making this a more difficult class to get a feel for as far as team consensus goes. As Jonathan Givony reported, American-based executives were recently approved to travel abroad, if fully vaccinated, giving them the chance to see a lot of these prospects in person for the first time.
Here are some names to know that we either saw play live or conducted film sessions with
Made it to Brescia, Italy to watch 6-7 Italian wing Gabriele Procida. The 18-year-old is having an excellent season for Cantu in the Italian 1st division. Fluid athlete who can shoot it on the move: 41% from 3 on 75 attempts so far this season. pic.twitter.com/gnnhQ7pGYX
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 14, 2021
Gabriele Procida | 6-foot-8 wing | Italian | Cantu | 18.8 years old | 51st overall
Out of all the prospects I evaluated, Procida is the prospect I'd feel most comfortable stamping as a sleeper with a real chance to play in the NBA and outplay his projected draft slot -- whether he targets the 2021 draft or not. At almost 6-foot-8 with wide shoulders, a sweet shooting stroke and excellent fluidity, Procida has the ingredients to eventually carve out a role at the highest level if he can continue to improve as a ball handler, decision-maker and defender.
Watching him warm up in Brescia, Italy, for about an hour, it didn't take long to realize that he is one of the best shooters in this draft class, with the ability to knock down shots on the move and finish above the rim in space. On the season, the 18-year-old Italian player is shooting 42% from 3 on 81 attempts in his first full season at the first division level, shooting the ball with confidence, even sprinting off screens or rising into pull-ups.
As is often the case with young players, Procida was on a short leash the night I evaluated him, playing six total minutes after he was sent to the bench for the rest of the game following a missed dunk and blown defensive assignment at the end of the first half. The game can move a bit fast for him on both ends of the floor right now. and he is certainly not ready to play in an NBA playoff game tomorrow. He is still a bit slight in stature and far from a finished product physically. But from studying his film extensively, it became clear that he fits an NBA prototype and has the energy and baseline physical ability needed to hold his own defensively as his body matures.
Procida also does a lot of the little things you need from role players -- regularly crashing the offensive glass for tip dunks, jumping the passing lanes for a steal or scampering back door for an easy finish. Whether it's Kevin Huerter or Furkan Korkmaz, size and shooting is king on the wing in today's NBA, and Procida can offer both to an organization willing to invest in him long term as a draft-and-stash prospect. A late bloomer who is still somewhat unknown to most NBA executives, Procida is the type of prospect who could have broken out in a Nike Hoop Summit type of setting in a normal year without a pandemic.
With Filip Petrusev winning MVP of the Adriatic League, here's a sneak peak of our ESPN Film Session live from Belgrade, Serbia. pic.twitter.com/5LzyPcAA5j
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 28, 2021
Filip Petrusev | 7-0 C | Serbian | Mega Soccer Bet | 21 years old | 32nd overall
Unfortunately, the former Gonzaga standout and 2020 West Coast Conference Player of the Year injured his calf, so we weren't able to see Petrusev take the floor for Mega Soccer Bet in Belgrade. We were, however, able to sit down for a film session with the 21-year-old 7-footer, taking a deep dive into his tape this season. Petrusev has been nothing short of dominant for Mega Soccer Bet through 21 games, averaging 23.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 31.6 minutes, while shooting over 61% from 2 and 41.9% from 3 and winning Adriatic League MVP at just 21 years old. According to our database, the only other under-22 player to average at least 20 points and seven rebounds on over 60% from 2 and 40% from 3 was Goga Bitadze, who was drafted 18th overall in 2019 and also won ABA MVP.
Playing mostly on the interior at Gonzaga (41 threes in 65 games), Petrusev has modernized his game quite a bit since making the move from Spokane, Washington, to his hometown of Belgrade, shooting 3 treys per game at a 42% clip while maintaining his polished post-up scoring attack. He has outstanding touch on his left shoulder jump hook. He is comfortable knocking down back-shoulder turnarounds. He also is an agile roller with elite hands. Simply put, he is a bucket any time he can catch 15 feet and in, thanks to his size, footwork and touch.
Petrusev also showed off his expanded game playing with the Serbian senior national team under Igor Kokoshkov when he went for 27 points and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes against Georgia, knocking down a pair of spot-up 3s. He still has work to do as a facilitator and ball-handler to fully modernize his offensive repertoire, but he's made clear steps in the right direction with his shooting, making him a target as high as the late first-round of this draft, especially if he would be willing to do a stash year in Europe. Some intentional scouts prefer him to prospects like Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba.
Despite his growth, Petrusev -- who models his game after Nikola Vucevic -- still has quite a bit of room to improve on the defensive end. He's mobile enough to step out and guard on the perimeter in spurts, but he's not the most natural rim protector even with a wingspan around 7-0 (1.4 blocks per 40 minutes). His motor and discipline as a pick-and-roll defender could also use a boost. Corralling just 9.5 rebounds per 40 minutes, becoming more aggressive and physical on the glass would give him another outlet to impact the game when he's not scoring.
As we've seen with bigs ranging from Frank Kaminsky to Moritz Wagner to Meyers Leonard, there's a role for mobile floor-spacers in the NBA. Even with all of Gonzaga's success, Petrusev has clearly benefited from his move back to Europe, and if he can turn his improved jumper into a weapon from the NBA line, it's easy to see him solidifying a role off the bench in the NBA.
It's also worth noting that 20-year-old Croatian big man Karlo Matkovic has been excellent in Petrusev's absence. High energy and bouncy at 6-11, we saw Matkovic go for 21 points and 9 rebounds in 27 minutes in a loss to FMP. Matkovic is averaging 21.5 points, 13.4 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per 40 minutes on the season playing a Drew Eubanks type of role for Mega.
18-year-old Croatian forward Roko Prkacin warming up before Cibona takes on Zadar here in Zagreb. A highly-touted youth player known for his feel and versatility at 6-9, Prkacin has improved as a perimeter shooter. He's knocking down 35% of his 3s in 20 Adriatic League games. pic.twitter.com/xxXg5JOPYQ
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 10, 2021
Roko Prkacin | 6-9 forward | Croatian | Cibona | 18.4 years old | 39th overall
The youngest international prospect in the draft, Prkacin is a versatile forward with great size at 6-9, an excellent frame, huge hands, a strong feel for the game, and an improved shooting stroke, making him an attractive draft-and-stash option for teams in the early 2nd round. The 18-year-old battled foul trouble and turnover issues in the game I scouted live against Zadar, clearing putting pressure on himself to perform. But he bounced back with a career-best 38-point outing the following week and is in the midst of a strong statistical season for Cibona in the Adriatic League. Despite Cibona's struggles as a club at 9-16, Prkacin is averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 27.4 minutes while shooting 53% from 2 and 39% from 3 in 24 ABA League games.
Prkacin does a lot of things well on the floor as he's able to push in the open court, thread bounce passes through tight windows, and function as either a pick-and-pop big man or a ball screen initiator in spurts, with Cibona using him anywhere from 3 to 5. He's also capable of beating switches in the mid-post area. Although not overly quick or shifty with the ball, he's a good leaper in space with a big reach, which has resulted in his fair share of highlight dunks this season. With that in mind, Prkacin isn't the most fluid mover, has a lot of room to improve his defensive range, and can play with a more consistent motor, needing to put his strength and 6-11 wingspan to use with more regularity defensively. Often compared to former Cibona standout Dario Saric growing up, Prkacin could stand to show more consistency in the energy department, which was a staple of Saric's game at a young age.
Even if he's not a Saric prototype, Prkacin still has a strong résumé of his own. The son of a longtime national team standout and Euroleague player, Nikola Prkacin, Roko has been on the radar since he was a young teen and caught our eye early on thanks to his mature style of play on the FIBA circuit, knocking off Garuba and Spain to win the 2018 U16 Euros. Still in search of one elite skill to hang his hat on, turning himself into a more reliable shooter has always been the key to his NBA projection, as he won't be able to rely on his physical maturity as heavily as he does now.
New on ESPN: Croatian forward Roko Prkacin shines as the top NBA prospect at the U16 Euros. More on Prkacin and 11 other NBA prospects from Novi Sad/Sarajevo. https://t.co/1f5IG9SxlR
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) August 22, 2018
Prkacin is trending in the right direction as a shooter this season, though, boosting his percentage from 26% to 36%. He still fights an inconsistent follow through and has a tendency to shoot on the way down at times, but he has the touch to eventually become a reliable floor spacer. Despite his strong frame at 220, Prkacin shouldn't be expected to have an impact in an NBA game tomorrow, but he plays a highly coveted forward position, has a strong track record both on the FIBA circuit and in the Adriatic League, and ticks a lot of the boxes teams look for in an international prospect. Hybrid forwards get a lot of bites at the apple to prove themselves in the NBA, which bodes well for a guy like Prkacin long term. I'd be interested to see what he looks like in an NBA Combine setting, where we saw Luka Samanic turn himself into the 19th overall pick with his play in Chicago. Maybe Prkacin can find similar success.
Made the drive to Saint Quentin, France for some Pro B action. Great prospect matchup between Juhann Begarin and Hugo Besson. The 18-year-old Begarin is averaging 12 PTS in 26 MIN while shooting 58% from 2 and 34% from 3. Physically impressive at 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan. pic.twitter.com/DHcqxEdr2x
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 20, 2021
Juhann Begarin | 6-6 wing | French | Paris Basket | 18.7 years old | 45th overall
In Saint Quentin, France against fellow French prospect Hugo Besson, we saw Begarin play a similar role to one he would play in the NBA, defending the opposing team's best player and getting out in transition to make plays. Begarin limited Besson, one of France Pro B's top scorers, to 5 points on 9 shots in 30 minutes of action, showed off his dynamic speed in the open court, and even made a few impressive passes that he didn't have in his repertoire a season ago. Begarin has the most NBA-ready tools of any international perimeter prospect in the draft at close to 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan and the foot speed to defend up to three positions when fully motivated. He's an explosive athlete who can play above the rim in space.
Not as energetic of a rebounder and off-ball defender as he could be, if Begarin can buy into consistently being a lockdown defender while continuing to iron out his shooting stroke (32% from 3), it's easy to see him playing a role in the NBA in time. Fellow French wing Timothe Luwawu is proof that if you can defend a couple positions and at least be a threat to knock down open 3s, you'll have a lot of opportunities to stick in the NBA. Begarin's physical tools also closely rival Josh Okogie's at the same stage.
Begarin's handle, touch as a finisher and jumper are still a work in progress. He would benefit from improving his shot prep, speeding up his release, and minimizing the side to side movement on his shooting motion. He's also still learning when to attack, when to facilitate and when to rely on his jumper. But if a team feels the Guadalupe native has enough shooting potential to work with, he's certainly worthy of a second-round pick. Like Prkacin, scouts would be interested to evaluate Begarin in a setting like the NBA combine to see how he stacks up against other young wing prospects in this draft. A couple strong defensive games against college stars could go a long way in solidifying his draft stock.
First live look at 19-year-old French guard Hugo Besson, who is putting up big numbers for Saint Quentin: 15.8 PTS and 2.7 AST in just 28.1 MIN while shooting 61% from 2 and 31% from 3. Microwave scorer at 6-4. pic.twitter.com/VrRDw0SqM6
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 20, 2021
Hugo Besson | 6-4 combo | Saint Quentin | French | 20.0 years old
While we saw Besson's worst game of the season from a productivity standpoint (5 point on 9 shots in 30 minutes), he still caught my eye with his improved floor game, confidence and competitiveness as a 6-4 combo guard who can score it at all 3 levels. Besson has been a revelation this season in his first full year at the pro level. He ranks second in all of France's second division in scoring at 16.9 points in just 28.4 minutes while shooting 60% from 2 and 35% from 3 and moonlighting as a point guard for stretches, averaging 3.9 assists per 40 minutes.
He topped 25 points in four games this season, most recently dropping 27 on Blois while knocking down 6-of-9 3s. Although on the streaky side when sprinting off screens, he's shown the ability to shoot the ball on the move, is capable of pulling up off the bounce, and is converting a remarkable 67% of his shots at the rim, impressive when you consider his average physical profile at 6-4, 196 pounds. Often earning comparisons to Nando De Colo in France, Besson's ability to play on or off the ball and go for 20 on any given night should make him attractive to NBA teams as he climbs up the ranks in Europe.
He still needs to improve as a defender, turn himself into a knockdown shooter, and take his ball screen reads to the next level. But with the success of microwave scorers ranging from Tyler Herro to Jordan Clarkson in today's NBA, scouts would be wise to get familiar with Besson because of his confident shot-making ability and rapidly improving game at just 20 years old. Still unknown to most scouts as he was never invited to the French junior national team, Besson's peak draft stock should come in 2022, especially since he's garnering interest from clubs all over Europe and beyond for next season.
In Klaipeda, Lithuania to watch Zalgiris and 6-5 guard Rokas Jokubaitis against Neptunas. The 20-year-old is playing a big role for the Lithuanian powerhouse in both Euroleague and LKL: 7.6 PTS and 3.1 AST in 20.3 MIN while shooting 52% from 2 and 32% from 3. High energy guard. pic.twitter.com/jZqmM2RFKo
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 18, 2021
Rokas Jokubaitis | 6-5 combo | Lithuanian | Zalgiris | 20.4 years old | 41st overall
The last time we evaluated Jokubaitis in Lithuania was in January of 2018 when he put 31 points on LaMelo Ball and Vytautas in front of 100,000 fans watching on Facebook while playing the Zalgiris youth team. Jokubaitis has developed quite a bit since then, growing to 6-5, filling out his frame, and carving out a real role for Zalgiris in both the Lithuanian League and the Euroleague. It's rare for 20-year-olds to play at least 20 minutes per night at the Euroleague level, but Jokubaitis is doing exactly that, joining names like Doncic, Saric, Ricky Rubio and Beno Udrih as some of the only sub-21 prospects to have such a big role since 2000.
Playing both on and off the ball this season, Jokubaitis is a lefty combo guard who does most of his damage inside the arc with short pull-ups or scooping finishes. At his best when he can get downhill to his left hand, he's also a creative passer who can both hit the roll man from different angles or fire cross-court passes to open shooters. Shooting is his clear swing skill, as too often teams will go under ball screens against him without much consequence. He's improved off the catch, but with his best moment usually coming with the ball in his hands, boosting his off-the-dribble range will be important to his long term success, as he's shooting just 31% from 3 this season.
But Jokubaitis is a competitor on the defensive end and plays with great spirit overall. A longtime favorite of former head coach and ex-NBA player Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Jokubaitis is beloved within the Lithuanian powerhouse and is an ideal draft-and-stash candidate given his strong development situation in Kaunas, and the fact that his role should continue to grow with the Lithuanian National team. Jokubaitis, who told us he studies Goran Dragic closely, still needs to improve his right hand, shooting stroke and off ball defense, but his game and situational factors will earn him looks as high as the early 2nd round as a pick-and-roll combo guards who brings energy to the court.
Speaking of guards with great draft-and-stash situations, Carlos Alocen with Real Madrid is also a name to know. He didn't take the floor against Fenerbahce when we were evaluating Garuba, but at 6-5 with an excellent court sense and vision, he's a prospect scouts are very familiar with. Like Jokubaitis, his swing skill is his shooting.
Great to be able to watch 19-year-old 7-footer Ariel Hukporti work out with @Dgale14 out in Lithuania. Really impressed with his development as a shooter since I first evaluated him at the U16 Euros in 2017. He's shooting 32% from 3 in 15 Lithuanian League games this year. pic.twitter.com/VVnOG4KMqg
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 19, 2021
Ariel Hukporti | 7-0 center | German-Togolese | Nevezis | 19.0 years old | 44th overall
While we weren't able to see Hukporti take the floor for Nevezis in a 5 on 5 game, we did watch him go through a full individual workout with American coach David Gale in the small town of Kedainiai, Lithuania. For more on the season Hukporti is having in the Lithuanian League -- 17.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes -- here's Jonathan Givony's recent scouting report.
If NBA teams see the same 1-on-0 workout I did in Lithuania, Hukporti should garner interest in the top-40, especially with his willingness to take his time and first develop in the G League. Standing 7-0 with a 250-pound frame and a reported 7-4 wingspan, Hukporti splashed catch-and- shoot 3 after catch-and-shoot 3 with great rotation, arc and soft touch, even stepping out beyond NBA range at times.
While not the most natural shooter coming up in Germany, the Togolese-German lefty has become a legitimate weapon from beyond the arc, even showing the ability to put the ball down a little bit into floaters on occasion. His sub-50% free throw shooting will be a red flag for analytics models. The game also still moves too fast for him on both ends of the floor, and you never want to overvalue a 1-on-0 workout. Narrow-hipped for his size, he needs time to improve his lower body strength and mobility, and continue learning the nuances of team defense while bettering his offensive decision making (20 assists to 53 turnovers).
But I left Lithuania viewing Hukporti as an intriguing second-rounder for a team with a strong G League program and a history of development, largely because of his improvement as a shooter. Thomas Bryant is a great player for Hukporti to try and emulate.
Enjoyed watching 19-year-old Nevezis wing Abramo Canka work out in Lithuania. Have always been a big fan of his motor, toughness and approach to the game. Good athlete at 6-6 with an improved shooting stroke (36% from 3). Italian with roots from Senegal, Turkey and Albania. pic.twitter.com/aF2kwVFJK2
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 19, 2021
Abramo Canka | 6-6 attacking guard | Italian | Nevezis | 19.1 years old | 37th, 2022 draft
We were also able to watch Italian guard Abramo Canka go through an individual workout in Lithuania. While he's more of a gamer known for his defensive intensity at 6-6, it was good to see that his jump shot is progressing (31%) from 3 and that he's filling out his frame, somewhat resembling RJ Hampton from a physical perspective. Canka is an explosive slash-and-pass style guard who can put pressure on the rim, make basic reads, and defend with energy.
Born in Italy to a Senegalese father and Turkish-Albanian mother, Canka is a basketball encyclopedia, one of the most focused prospects I've ever been around and someone teams would be wise to learn more about as his game matures. A projected early second-round pick in 2022, Canka is a breakout candidate next season.
Vrenz Bleijenbergh getting shots up ahead of Antwerp practice in Belgium. We've been tracking his development since he made his FIBA debut at the U16 Euros B Division in Sofia, Bulgaria back in 2016. Was paper thin but skilled and confident. pic.twitter.com/l7Bj4q8fs6
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 20, 2021
Vrenz Bleijenbergh | 6-10 wing | Belgian | Antwerp | 20.5 years old
We stopped in Antwerp, Belgium for a sit-down film session Bleijenbergh, whom we've been tracking closely since we first saw him in 2016 at the U16s. Bleijenbergh has helped put himself on the map as a legitimate NBA prospect with his play this season, averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per 40 minutes in Belgian League and EuroCup play, functioning more or less as the lead ball handler for his hometown club.
The 20-year-old is an NBA-caliber passer who can play pick-and-roll at 6-10, hitting the roll man in stride or using his size to see over the top for weakside skips. A streaky 3-point shooter and average finisher in traffic, Bleijenbergh still has questions to answer about his ability to score efficiently in the half court. He's also an inconsistent defender in the energy and toughness departments. But he shows enough defensive glimpses with his positional length and fluidity when fully motivated -- 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per 40 minutes -- to instill confidence that he can hold his own on that end as his body continues to mature.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic limiting in-person evaluations, Bleijenbergh may still be a year away from maximizing his draft stock, but he's bound to garner interest because of his size and court vision, especially if he can prove he can be a more consistent shooter. Whether it's Joe Ingles, Isaac Bonga or anyone in between, tall wings who can handle and pass have a market in the NBA.
Others to Note
We evaluated Turkish guard Shemus Hazer in Istanbul as he went for 25 points in 35 minutes. Hazer is a 6-4 off guard who is in the midst of a productive season with Beskitias, averaging 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Hazer needs to produce at the highest levels of Europe before garnering true NBA interest, particularly improving his shooting stroke, but his motor, toughness and attacking style make the 22-year-old worth monitoring.
We checked in on Serbian big man Dalibor Ilic, who is starting for Igokea in the Adriatic League. Ilic has always been physically intriguing at 6-9 with a 7-0 wingspan and great feet, yet still hasn't improved his perimeter shooting and playmaking enough to be a target for the 2021 NBA draft. With that said, we'll continue tracking Ilic given his defensive versatility along with the fact that he's playing over 20 minutes per game at 21 years old.
We were able to evaluate 19-year-old French guard Malcolm Cazalon, who is in the midst of a bounce-back season for Mega in Serbia. A highly-touted youth prospect alongside Killian Hayes and Theo Maledon, Cazalon has had his ups and downs over his young career, playing in 10 games in Belgium last season before ultimately landing in Serbia. Although he still has quite a bit of room to improve defensively and as a decision-maker, the lefty is turning into a fairly reliable shooter at 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan and is evolving as a pick-and-roll passer. Cazalon is targeting the 2022 NBA draft.
French guard Jayson Tchicamboud is a hard-nosed defender at 6-4 who changed the complexion of the Strasbourg-Nanterre game we scouted with his energy. The 19-year-old needs to improve his shooting stroke and physicality, but he has positional size, good feet defensively and a strong feel for the game as a playmaker on offense.
Although we didn't see him on this trip, one of the most physically intriguing prospects in this year's draft is Ibou Badji, the Senegalese big man playing in Barcelona who stands 7-1 with a 7-9 wingspan and some of the best feet you'll see for a player his size. A lob-catching shot-blocker, we evaluated Badji and fellow Senegalese big man Khalifa Diop, who is developing nicely in Gran Canaria thanks to his motor and underrated passing, at the U18 African Championships in Cairo.
We weren't able to make it out to Cholet but French big man Yoan Makoundou is starting to generate some buzz in Europe with his high-flying dunks thanks to his leaping ability and huge standing reach at 6-9. The 20-year-old mobile big man could garner interest in the second round of 2021 or 2022 as he rounds out his skill set.
