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FIBA/International Basketball Discussion

Jean Montero 6-2 172 PG (Dominican Republic) Overtime Elite

Measured: 6’2″ 1/2 in shoes, 172 lbs, 6’4″ 1/2 wingspan, 8’1″ standing reach

23 points / 7-15 FG / 4-8 3P / 1 rebounds / 3 assists / 2 steals /1 turnover

Montero shined under the bright lights, putting up a game high 23 for the World Team and proving to be impossible for the USA team to stay in front of. He created looks well, starting with the game’s first basket, a step back three off a screen. He hit 4-of-8 from three, and even knocked down a desperation shot with the clock winding down from a few feet beyond the arch. He also showed nice passing ability, finding teammates in favorable positions near the basket. Jean (pronounced: Yan) was solid though not particularly a stand out in practices, but really shined in the game, showing polished ball handling and an ability to create and knock down shots off the dribble. With a lot of professional experience at a young age, he was one of the more experienced players in the event from a competitive team standpoint. He’s a smooth operator with the ball, showing the ability to pull up and knock down shots with a slick handle and concise shooting form. While he showed flashes in practices, he didn’t have quite the buzz going into the game as he did coming out of it. He lacks size and physicality, and while he’s got great quickness, he’s not an explosive athlete. He’s a small scoring guard but after a tremendous Hoop Summit performance, he is likely to recapture some first round buzz from media and scouts.

Omaha Biliew 6-8 215 PF/SF (South Sudan), Link Year Prep (MO)

Measured: 6’8 in shoes, 213 lbs, 7’2″ wingspan, 8’11” 3/4 standing reach

12 points / 5-12 FG / 0-3 3P / 6 rebounds / 1 assist / 1 steal / 2 turnovers

Biliew was the most impressive World team prospect in practices showing great energy and an intriguing package of top shelf athleticism and developing skills. While it wasn’t there in the game, he showed the ability to attack the rim off the bounce with a number of moves including use of the Eurostep as well as setting defenders up with fakes. With Link he’s used more as a bigman, but seems he could transition into being a wing over time. He’s got solid form on his jumper and can knock down the three point shot, though at times his form breaks down from distance. He’s got an alpha type of personality showing natural leadership and seemed to really be in his element in the team environment. He also has a great feel for the game with good decision making, moving the ball quickly and choosing proper angles on entry passes. He’s the one World team player with a +6 ape index, at 6-8 in shoes with a 7-2 wingspan. Really impressive physical profile with a motor and confidence that gives him a really high ceiling if he works to get there. Kansas appears to be the likely destination for him as a college player. The sky is the limit for Biliew if he can continue to develop his skill set, and the makings are there for him to become a star.

Matas Buzelis 6-10 185 SF (Lithuania) Brewster Academy (NH)

Measured: 6’10” 1/4 in shoes, 183 lbs, 6’10 wingspan, 8’9″ 3/4 standing reach
Was announced as a scratch for the game after participating in the first few days of practices and missed the Thursday practice and game. Buzelis is just a junior with a long, lean frame and solid agility and skill. While neither an overwhelming athlete (his wingspan matches his height at 6-10), nor the most explosive athlete, his skill set at his age is intriguing. He shows solid form on his shot and just needs to add weight to become a better defender and more physical player around the rim. It’s optimistic to rank him as a top 10-20 player in his high school class, but he could certainly be among the top 50 prospects in his class by the end of his high school career. At just 17, turning 18 in October, he seems to have a solid feel for the game. He needs to add more strength and toughness to compete with the best in his age group.

Sidy Cissoko 6-7 210 SF/PF (France) Baskonia/Spain

Measured: 6’7″ 1/4 in shoes, 208 lbs, 6’9′ 1/4 wingspan, 8’7″ standing reach

3 points / 1-4 FG / 0-2 3P / 7 rebounds / 4 assists / 3 steals / 4 turnovers

Turned 18 just a week ago. Cissoko has an intriguing combination of length and athleticism and shows an impressive package of skills as well. He’s got a powerful frame with good leg strength, and does a solid job of attacking the rim off the dribble. He still needs to become more consistent shooting and develop his offensive game but there’s some legitimate reason for intrigue with him. He’s got an impressive 8’7 standing reach and a 6’9″ wingspan. Cissoko has experience at the professional level in Spain playing for Baskonia, and has a very impressive highlight reel already. He’s very versatile and makes a lot of flashy plays with his creative passing ability, as he showed in the game with his wrap around behind the back dish for a basket in the early second half. Not an exact match, but has shades of Draymond with his great length, feel and versatility.

London Johnson 6-3 165 PG (Jamaica) Norcross High School (GA)

Measured: 6’3″ in shoes, 166 lbs, 6’5″ wingspan, 8’1″ 1/2 standing reach

3 points / 1-4 FG / 0-1 3P / 2 rebounds / 1 assist / 1 steal / 4 turnovers

Johnson is a Junior point guard with good size at 6’3 and a 6’5 wingspan and shows solid playmaking ability. His shot from outside is solid and he has a good feel for the game. Despite not being a standout athlete, he’s steady. He’s also one of the youngest kids on the World team at just 17 years of age. A flashy ball handler and a good shooter. Really struggled in the game however hitting just 1-6 from the field for 4 points. Seemed to rush a number of his shots and may have been a little overwhelmed playing against the top kids that are all in the class ahead of him. Regardless, Johnson should really benefit from the experience of playing at Hoop Summit, and should make a push to be among the top 10-15 players in his class next year.

Tyrese Proctor 6-5 180 SG/PG (Australia) NBA Global Academy *Duke


Measured: 6’5″ 1/2 in shoes, 180 lbs, 6’6″ 1/2 wingspan, 8’4″ 1/4 standing reach

4 points / 1-4 FG / 1-2 3P / 1 rebound / 1 assist / 1 steal / 1 turnovers

Like Cissoko, Proctor celebrated his 18th birthday just a week ago. The combo guard out of Sydney is an impressive prospect with his combination of size and scoring along with ability to play as a lead guard. He’s seen as a possible first round pick by some scouts as early as next year, when he’s first possibly eligible. Proctor is part of the NBA Global Academy and just announced he will play for Duke next season, giving the Blue Devils an international player to bolster their backcourt. Proctor measured 6’5″ 1/2 in shoes and with a 6’6″ 1/2 wingspan, and a 8’4′ 1/4 standing reach, all very solid measurements for a combo guard. He had a disappointing showing in the game but made a couple of very impressive passes, showing vision and a good feel for playmaking. He’s got a lot of upside but it remains to be seen how well he develops at Duke. Some scouts mentioned they prefer him to projected first rounder this year Dyson Daniels

Michael Sharavjamts 6-9 180 SF (Mongolia) Andrews Osborne Academy (OH) *Dayton
Measured: 6’8″ 3/4 in shoes, 182 lbs, 6’8″ 3/4 wingspan, 8’7″ 1/4 standing reach

2 points / 1-3 FG / 0-2 3P / 1 rebounds / 1 assists / 2 steal / 1 turnovers

The Dayton commit has a really nice feel for the game and intriguing skills. He’s been impressive in other events we have covered, having spent a year at Prolific Prep when Jalen Green was there. Known as a big point guard due to his tremendous passing and ball handling at 6’9. Was really impressive as scouts mentioned him along with Montero as possibly the top two shooters on the World Select team. He had one practice where he hit a string of threes in front of scouts, “he never misses”. Needs to focus on gaining strength in order to become more confident and able to play with contact, but he’s an intriguing talent for the college level and could get to the NBA over time if he continues developing.

Mackenzie Mgbako 6-9 215 SF (Nigeria) St. Bernard’s School (NJ)

Measured: 6’8″ 3/4 in shoes, 213 lbs, 6’10” wingspan, 8’9″ 1/4 standing reach

2 points / 1-7 FG / 0-3 3P / 2 rebounds/ 2 assists / 1 steal / 3 turnovers

Mgbako came in with a huge reputation as perhaps one of the top three kids in his 2023 class. He’s clearly a skilled player for his age and plays a controlled game with impressive shooting ability. His athleticism never really stood out as being elite in practices however. He’s a solid athlete with a developed frame. he came in as one of the most hyped players on either squad, but really struggled in the game hitting just 1-7 from the field. And turning the ball over three times. He’s obviously still got a ways to go and just doesn’t appear to have the long term potential of some of the other kids due to limited athleticism. Perhaps he was a bit overwhelmed by the event and needs some time to better utilize his shooting ability.

 
Hey, I was just talking about him, lol. What are your thoughts? Think he can stick in the NBA?
I admittedly don’t know much about him (would have to look into him more)

I do remember seeing before he could be better on the boards but one of his strengths was his mobility. That vid really shows his ability to switch onto smaller players a bit.

Do I think he can stick? Yeah but I don’t think his first year he’s gonna do much of anything in the NBA. I feel like but he’s going to play in the G league a bit


Lol I can see him going to the raptors
 
@thefrenchwood is there any hype for Victor Wembanyama in France yet? Or will the general masses only pay attention when he produces in the NBA?
All things considered, yes. He's looked at the one for us. Out of all the young guys (even over a lot of pros), he gets a lot of attention. Compared to his football counterparts, it's borderline nonexistent but basketball coverage took a hit, for whatever reasons, when Jordan retired the first time and France won the WC. There's been a big mainstream media switch.
 
All things considered, yes. He's looked at the one for us. Out of all the young guys (even over a lot of pros), he gets a lot of attention. Compared to his football counterparts, it's borderline nonexistent but basketball coverage took a hit, for whatever reasons, when Jordan retired the first time and France won the WC. There's been a big mainstream media switch.
Tony Parker did not rejuvenate basketball interest?
 
Diabate might be one of those bigger sleepers in this draft. Or he could maybe even getting drafted higher than some draft pundits think He didn't play well at Michigan but he has some talent.

He gets with the right coaches before the combine I wouldnt have be surprised to hear him moving up draft boards
 
That’s my guy I hope it works out for him in the league

excited to see him get drafted

i am a fan of his game also. He balled out in the under 19 FIBA tournament, but started off slow in his leagues this year. Then he got hurt, but recovered and has played better up until now.

his Shooting splits haven’t been the best, but he has showed more versatility offensively also. One of the big questions is what position can he guard in the NBA though?
 
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