Adidas NextGen Belgrade | Recap
We wrapped up the Adidas NextGen Tournament Belgrade Qualifier with a final showdown between Insep Paris and Olimpia Milan. The French powerhouse secured the top spot, defeating Milan 74-60. Noa Kouakou-Heugue was named MVP of the tournament, while his teammate Hugo Yimga-Moukori also delivered a standout performance, earning a spot on the All-Star Team. Here’s a breakdown of the All-Tournament Team from the Belgrade qualifier.
Article by Ata Toprak Koşal | Tuesday March 25, 2025
Diego Garavaglia (2007, W, 🇮🇹, 6’7)
Diego Garavaglia has established himself over the last couple of years in Italian basketball both in National Team and club competitions. The 2007-born wing delivered another strong tournament showing in Belgrade, averaging 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Garavaglia’s physical tools stand out among the players at the Adidas NextGen Tournament. Standing at 6-foot-7, Garavaglia has a strong frame with well-developed muscle wise. He effectively utilizes his body when attacking the rim, whether slashing or dragging defenders in the low post. He drew 4.2 fouls per game, making him a key presence at the free-throw line, where he averaged 4.8 free throw attempts per game. Italian wing also showcased his progress as a playmaker, effectively operating offense and feeding teammates from different spots on the floor, averaging 4.2 assists per game. However, Garavaglia struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 15% on 3.2 attempts per game. This marked a drop from his performance at the FIBA U17 World Cup last summer, where he converted 33% on 5.1 attempts per game.
On the defensive end, Garavaglia is well known for his toughness and physicality, and this tournament was no exception. He applied solid on-ball pressure, making it difficult for opponents to drive against him by utilizing his strength and positioning effectively. Additionally, he excelled at disrupting passing lanes, averaging 3 steals per game. Overall, Garavaglia one more time showcased his defensive presence, using his physicality and toughness to make an impact.
Aaron Towo-Nansi (2009, G, 🇫🇷, 5’10)
Aaron Towo-Nansi was arguably the biggest surprise of the tournament. Almost every Adidas NextGen Team this season featured one ‘small’ guard - Isaac Guedegbe in Istanbul, Gabriel Veras in Munich, and in Belgrade, it was Aaron. Despite standing just 5-foot-10, Towo-Nansi delivered two 30+ point performances and nearly led his team to the finals, edging past INSEP after a thrilling double-overtime battle. His performance becomes even more impressive when considering that the French prospect was competing against players two years older.
2009-born Aaron Towo-Nansi showcased exceptional creativity and playmaking ability on the offensive end. He combines quickness and refined footwork inside the perimeter to generate open looks and create his own shots. He consistently found ways to sneak into the paint, finishing effectively in tight spaces. Beyond the arc, he demonstrated his shooting range and composure under pressure, converting 38% of his 6.5 attempts per game. Aaron impressed with his relentless energy and high motor, bringing intensity to both ends of the floor while maintaining durability and balance during long stints. Defensively, he was highly effective, displaying great anticipation in passing lanes, strong positional awareness, and good timing - leading to an average of 3 steals per game.
Aaron Towo-Nansi's future success will primarily depend on his physical development and ability to adapt his game to the professional level. If he can prove his skills against higher competition, he has the potential to become Europe's next TJ Shorts.
Hugo Yimga-Moukouri (2007, SF, 🇫🇷, 6’8)
Hugo Yimga-Moukori's outstanding physicality and athleticism played a crucial role in Insep's first-place finish in Belgrade. He delivered solid performances, averaging 17 points, 1.8 assists, and 5.8 rebounds in 28 minutes.
Standing at 6-foot-8 French small forward combines a solid frame with exceptional athleticism. He dominated the paint through his athletic ability and refined footwork, navigating tight spaces effectively while creating for his own. In Belgrade, he demonstrated his improved ability to stretch the floor, operating PnR’s as a handler, attacking close outs, and increasing his three-point shooting volume compared to the FIBA U17 World Cup. Defensively, Hugo Yimga-Moukouri displays decent lateral movement, though his slower reaction time hampers his one-on-one defense. He shows good awareness of help defense and cuts, maintaining solid positioning on the defensive end. If Hugo Yimga-Moukouri continues to expand his game beyond the perimeter and improves his on-ball movements, there's no reason he won't compete at the highest levels in Europe.
Ian Platteeuw (2007, C, 🇪🇸, 6’11)
Ian Platteeuw delivered his strongest international tournament performance in Belgrade, averaging a double-double with 16.2 points, 15 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. 2007-born big man demonstrated his versatility and exceptional rebounding ability, particularly against Milan where he grabbed 22 rebounds in a single game.
Ian Platteeuw stands as one of the most productive big men this season across all four Adidas NextGen Tournaments. Beyond his rebounding prowess, the Spanish prospect possesses sharp court vision and excellent passing skills - evidenced by his 4.2 assists across 4 games in Belgrade and his superb awareness of cuts and open looks. Standing at 6-foot-11 center has a good frame and overall strength, sets effective screens and shows excellent timing when slipping to the rim after PnR’s. Platteeuw's biggest gap on the offensive end is his shooting volume. He attempted only 2 three-pointers and no midrange shots during the tournament. His shooting development will be decisional in his career path.
Defensively, Platteeuw moves well laterally and on stance despite his height. He disrupts shots with his long arms and defends closeout attacks effectively with his mobility. Platteeuw's biggest weakness on defense is his lack of strength - he struggles to defend in the low post, especially against stronger bigs in the paint. Ian Platteeuw is truly NBA material, and he proved that once again on the big stage.
Noa Kouakou-Heugue (2007, F, 🇫🇷, 6’9)
Like Ian Platteeuw, Noa Kouakou-Heugue delivered his strongest international tournament performance yet and named as the MVP of the qualifiers in Belgrade. French prospect showcased his versatility and mobility, averaged 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 4 games.
The 2007-born prospect combines his quickness and court vision in PnR’s, consistently finding scoring opportunities with quick rolls. Noa Kouakou-Heugue showcases impressive ball-handling skills, playing face-up basketball and can go coast to coast - qualities highly valued in modern basketball. While Kouakou-Heugue isn't a traditional post player, he utilized his frame decently and exceled at driving to the rim from the high post. Despite his athletic build and potential for physical development, he faced challenges in half-court offensively and defensively.
On the defensive end, Noa Kouakou-Heugue displayed good lateral quickness and effectively defended guards, disrupting shots with his long arms. His athleticism and positioning in the paint helped him on rebounds, leading to his 8.0 rebounds per game average. Kouakou-Heugue's future development will depend heavily on his physical development and shooting range.
