Top Prospects and Takeaways from FIBA's Under-18, Under-20 Tournaments
The 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and FIBA U20 European Championship each featured a number of NBA prospects on the radar for the 2017 and 2018 drafts.
USA and its loaded roster of future pros took gold in Chile at the FIBA Americas, while Spain came out on top in Finland at the European Championship.
Most of the top prospects in the events were unsurprisingly American, including two potential No. 1 overall picks (one in 2017, one in 2018).
But there were also a handful of 2017 draft-eligible international players who'll draw NBA interest over the next year. And there is a good chance we'll see three of them play big roles next season in the NCAA.
Washington-Bound Markelle Fultz Is the Best NBA Prospect in the Country
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MVP of U18 FIBA Americas
Key stats (five games): 13.8 points per game, four rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.2 steals
It looked too easy for Markelle Fultz, who'll now start the year No. 1 on my 2017 big board.
He went for 23 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals in USA's final win over Canada. Fultz opened and closed the game strong, showing the ability to take over on demand in a lead-guard role.
He also flashed some exciting explosiveness on a few showtime dunks in traffic.
Fultz has good size (6'4"), quickness and athleticism for a point guard. He's terrific at changing speeds and getting to his spots on the floor.
His skill level is also exceptionally high, from his ball-handling and passing to his finishing repertoire and perimeter game. Fultz even made a defensive impact, racking up 16 total steals (through five games) with pressure and anticipation.
Throughout the week, Fultz, MVP, managed to control the game whenever coach Shaka Smart featured him as the primary decision-maker.
Between his physical tools, athleticism, scoring, playmaking, defense and basketball IQ, he's the complete package at the position. And in a Washington offense that ranked No. 2 in adjusted tempo last year, per KenPom.com, he's poised for a monster freshman year statistically.
There are a few other big-name prospects who'll enter the No. 1 overall conversation, including Duke's Harry Giles and Kansas' Josh Jackson. But to start the 2016-17 college hoops season, it's Fultz who'll sit atop our prospect pyramid. He's my early No. 1 overall favorite for the 2017 NBA draft.
Washington Commit Michael Porter Jr. Will Be a No. 1 Overall Candidate in 2018
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U18 FIBA Americas key stats (five games): 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals
Though Michael Porter Jr. won't be eligible for the draft until 2018, his NBA potential is a talking point that's difficult to set aside.
He averaged 15.8 points on 53.3 percent shooting in effortless fashion.
With 6'9" size and plenty of bounce, Porter emerged as a potent transition weapon and target above the rim.
More than just an athlete, he also showcased a face-up one-on-one game that fuels significant offensive upside. We saw crossovers into drives and jab steps into jumpers, as well as the ability to finish on the move with difficult layups and floaters.
Porter knocked down three three-pointers against Brazil, two against the U.S. Virgin Islands and a big one against Canada. And he flashed some passing and playmaking (4.5 assists per 40 minutes), as well.
He'll need to put on bulk, but Porter looks like a superstar prospect in the making. A way-too-early 2018 draft board should have him pegged as a top-three pick with room to rise.
Hamidou Diallo Will Have Fans Wherever He Goes
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U18 FIBA Americas key stats (five games): 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Hamidou Diallo's athleticism and motor will win him fans at every level.
He isn't the most skilled guard, but he finds ways to score by putting pressure on the rim, whether it's in the open floor, in the drive-and-slash game or under the boards (10.7 per 40 minutes in Chile).
The type of competitor who can make plays without needing any run to him, Diallo was active and productive around the basket in Chile.
He fits the mold of a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Justise Winslow type of energizer valued for defense, hustle, transition offense and attacking. Assuming he can tighten up his jumper and sharpen his ball-handling over the next two seasons, Diallo should eventually find his way onto the 2018 lottery radar.
Make Germany's Kostja Mushidi a 1st-Round Prospect to Track
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It wasn't the smoothest tournament for Kostja Mushidi, who's only 18 years old playing in the U20 European Championship. He struggled against Spain, Ukraine and Israel.
But he was electric in a one-point win over Lithuania, scoring 26 points in 22 minutes and hitting the game-winning free throw.
It was one of those memorable, eye-opening performances that enhances the intrigue surrounding one's potential.
Mushidi, a strong 6'5" 2-guard, flashed ball-handling, attacking ability and three-point shooting (going 4-of-7). And he possesses the athleticism and motor to match developing offense and defensive versatility.
Recently named MVP of Germany's Albert Schweitzer Tournament, Mushidi, who played mostly for Strasbourg IG's developmental team in 2015-16, will be a must-watch name this year with Mega Leks in the Adriatic League.
He'll start the year as a mid-first-round prospect on my 2017 board.
Finland's Lauri Markkanen Could Be 1-and-Done at Arizona
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U20 European Championship key stats (seven games): 24.9 points, 8.6 rebounds
I wouldn't count on Lauri Markkanen to stay at Arizona long based on what we saw during the U20 European Championship. Finland finished with a 3-4 record, but Markkanen looked like the best player in the tournament, which he led in scoring.
Listed at 6'11", he flashed signature stretch-big potential by hitting 13 threes through seven games (38.2 percent). Markkanen has a smooth jumper with range but also the ability to make defenders pay for playing up tight. He showed off a quick first step and ability to score off dribble drives.
Markkanen hammered home a few poster dunks after blowing by his man. He even rebounded strongly and comfortably defended around the perimeter.
Already 19 years old, expect Markkanen to play big minutes next year at Arizona. His size, shooting stroke, athleticism and polish should generate first-round-to-lottery draft buzz in 2017.
Kansas' Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (Ukraine) Flashes Potential and Weaknesses
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U20 European Championship key stats (seven games): 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk wasn't shy in Finland, where he took 16.3 shots per game for Ukraine. He attempted only 4.3 per contest at Kansas, up from the 3.3 he took as a freshman, which makes the U20 European Championship a good opportunity for both Mykhailiuk and scouts.
The results were mixed, with the 19-year-old college veteran averaging 14.9 points on 36.8 percent shooting.
He was brutally inaccurate from behind the arc, where he shot 19 percent on 42 attempts. Looking at a glass half full, however, it's good to see Mykhailiuk finding ways to score when the jumper isn't working.
He did some nice things as a scorer inside the arc and as a passer off the dribble. And his athleticism showed up a few times at the rim.
Still, to generate first-round interest, Mykhailiuk needs to be sharper in every aspect of the game. Though capable in all of them, he's been inconsistent with each. This will be a key year for his development and draft stock.
Jarrett Allen Has Limitations but Can Star in His Own Role
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U18 FIBA Americas key stats (five games): 10.6 points, nine rebounds, 1.4 assists
Jarrett Allen was an impact player for USA, though his weaknesses and limitations were exposed throughout the week.
He missed a good amount of high-percentage looks in the paint, showing average explosiveness and shaky touch. We didn't see any shot creativity, while his 44 percent mark from the line highlighted minimal shooting range.
His 46.7 percent field-goal mark wasn't overly impressive either when you consider his size, mobility and motor.
However, Allen's constant pursuit of the ball led to active rebounding and frequent scoring opportunities as a finisher and putback machine on the offensive glass. He ran the floor hard and showcased a strong nose for the ball (15.1 boards per 40 minutes).
Allen even dished out a number of savvy passes that illuminated surprising vision and awareness.
He's a hustler who projects as an interior specialist and high-activity big in the paint. Don't count on Allen for volume scoring next year at Texas; instead, expect plenty of energy, easy buckets and defensive disruption.
Mohamed Bamba Can Be an Elite 2018 NBA Prospect
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U18 FIBA Americas key stats (five games): Seven points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
Mohamed Bamba's potential lit up in just 13.5 minutes per game.
You can't beat his physical tools, particularly his 7' ½" size, unprecedented 7'9 ½" wingspan and 9'6" standing reach. He could practically touch the rim standing on his heels.
Athletic, tough and abnormally long, Bamba compensates for a relatively thin frame that should fill out more in time.
He didn't receive too many post scoring opportunities, but Bamba showcased soft hands around the basket. And he completely dominated under the boards, averaging 6.6 rebounds, or 19.6 per 40 minutes.
Bamba's upside in rim protection is another obvious selling point given how much ground he covers with his quick feet and absurd length.
He's still raw and unpolished offensively, but with two years before Bamba becomes eligible for the NBA draft, there is plenty of time for him to develop his skills, scoring and body.
Turkey's Omer Yurtseven Would Have Something to Offer NC State Right Away
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U20 European Championship key stats (seven games): 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Omer Yurtseven is clearly a project without much polish or skill. He was still a force inside for Turkey, averaging 23 points and 12.4 boards per 40 minutes.
And with 7-foot size, effortless mobility and soft hands, he should be able to give North Carolina State an easy-bucket target right away.
In Finland, he scored with both hands in the paint on hooks and other one-handers in traffic. They came off low-post feeds, catch-and-finishes, putbacks, rolls, dives and cuts.
Yurtseven must get tougher down low at both ends, but if the NCAA clears him at North Carolina State (there are questions over whether he was payed by his Turkish club), he'll have something to offer right away.
P.J. Washington Is Trending Upward
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U18 FIBA Americas key stats (five games): 10 points, four rebounds, 1.6 assists
Though P.J. Washington is not the flashiest athlete or biggest 4-man at 6'8", there was a lot to like about him in Chile. Averaging 10 points in just 17.9 minutes on 61.8 percent shooting, he did a terrific job of picking up baskets within the flow of USA's offense.
He consistently found himself in position to catch and finish around the basket by timing his cuts and crashes. With a strong 233-pound frame and long 7'2" wingspan, he used his body to fight for position and his length to drop in hooks over the defense.
Washington only had big games against Canada (19 points) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (19 points), but he was efficient throughout the five-game run.
When the time comes after his final season at Findlay Prep, he'll be a 2018 one-and-done freshman to watch.
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