Part One: U-18 European Championships Prospects: Point Guards
Part Two: U-18 European Championships Prospects: The Wings
Part Three: U-18 European Championships Prospects: Power Forwards
This is the last chapter of DraftExpress.coms extensive coverage of the European Junior Championships. Centers are usually the most tracked and desired pieces in the international market, and we could see some guys here that could develop into very valuable inside players in the future.
Alexis Ajinca
France, PF/C, 7-1, 06/05/1988; 6.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg
We were really looking forward to checking out Ajincas stage of development after the intrigue he delivered last year in Belgrade, but came away with mixed feelings about his performance. Hes the same old physical freak, a super long and skinny guy, although not as dramatically skinny as last summer. Ajinca has gained a bit of weight that has allowed him to operate near the basket, even if he still gets regularly outmuscled.
Indeed this year he has looked much more of a post guy than last summer. Perhaps were let our imagination go too much, though, as after all, he got little playing time back in Belgrade. But with that athleticism, those surprisingly good hands, his jumper, and the way he handled the ball the few times he showed it, we certainly got the feeling that he could evolve into a power forward with a significant face-up game.
You cant really rely on just one competition, on one setting. Many factors chime in, like his coachs mindset, for example. But in this championship, enjoying consistent playing time, some of that intrigue seems gone. Particularly, we have found little trace of his ball handling skills. I dont think he faced a matchup and attacked him off the dribble even once. His shooting was still there; he regularly delivered a static jumpshot, although with quite limited accuracy.
So for the moment, were left with his low post game, which could be great if he managed to develop enough strength to battle with bigs at a pro stage (thats still quite a big if). After all, theres no better way to capitalize size (and wingspan) than sticking near the basket. Not being any low post dancer, the big French shows some moves to take advantage of his length, and whats perhaps even more important, he doesnt fear contact at all, which doesnt mean that his game doesnt suffer by getting regularly outmuscled. Anyway, it was a bit frustrating to see the problems he showed finishing near the basket. He rarely dunks the ball, and doesnt feel comfortable at all releasing the ball while suffering contact. However, he will likely resolve this problem as he gets stronger, although he might lack a bit of a soft touch near the hoop.
On defense, he has surely made great strides from last summer. Now he shows decent lateral quickness (well, he has basically learned to move laterally), and delivers great intimidation that, anyway, could still be a lot better. Ajinca didnt manage to become an intimidator against his rivals. He was a few times outsmarted by quick and skilled guys, while also outmuscled by stronger ones, although he often gets the job done regardless thanks to his incredible length.
Last summer we predicted that it would take at least two years to start figuring out where his development will take him. Its one year already and, despite the notable improvement in some areas, its still awfully complicated to make any kind of prediction.
Indeed this year he has looked much more of a post guy than last summer. Perhaps were let our imagination go too much, though, as after all, he got little playing time back in Belgrade. But with that athleticism, those surprisingly good hands, his jumper, and the way he handled the ball the few times he showed it, we certainly got the feeling that he could evolve into a power forward with a significant face-up game.
You cant really rely on just one competition, on one setting. Many factors chime in, like his coachs mindset, for example. But in this championship, enjoying consistent playing time, some of that intrigue seems gone. Particularly, we have found little trace of his ball handling skills. I dont think he faced a matchup and attacked him off the dribble even once. His shooting was still there; he regularly delivered a static jumpshot, although with quite limited accuracy.
So for the moment, were left with his low post game, which could be great if he managed to develop enough strength to battle with bigs at a pro stage (thats still quite a big if). After all, theres no better way to capitalize size (and wingspan) than sticking near the basket. Not being any low post dancer, the big French shows some moves to take advantage of his length, and whats perhaps even more important, he doesnt fear contact at all, which doesnt mean that his game doesnt suffer by getting regularly outmuscled. Anyway, it was a bit frustrating to see the problems he showed finishing near the basket. He rarely dunks the ball, and doesnt feel comfortable at all releasing the ball while suffering contact. However, he will likely resolve this problem as he gets stronger, although he might lack a bit of a soft touch near the hoop.
On defense, he has surely made great strides from last summer. Now he shows decent lateral quickness (well, he has basically learned to move laterally), and delivers great intimidation that, anyway, could still be a lot better. Ajinca didnt manage to become an intimidator against his rivals. He was a few times outsmarted by quick and skilled guys, while also outmuscled by stronger ones, although he often gets the job done regardless thanks to his incredible length.
Last summer we predicted that it would take at least two years to start figuring out where his development will take him. Its one year already and, despite the notable improvement in some areas, its still awfully complicated to make any kind of prediction.