Adidas NextGen Istanbul | Preview
Same time of the year has came and Adidas Next Generation Tournaments Qualification Round starting on November 29th 2024. Three countries and four tournaments will decide the clubs for the final battle on May, 2025. Turkey returns to the tour and hosts the first tournament in this year’s edition. So, let’s take a look at some prospects and details before the tournament.
Article by Ata Toprak Koşal | Thursday November 28, 2024
Turkish teams are back
Turkish teams are back in action after one year hosted by Bahcesehir. Most of the promising guys in this tournament will compete such a high level international like NGT for the first time and this will be a good chance to demonstrate what they got the inside.
Mert Kocagozoglu (TUR / 2007 / 6’4’’)
Mert Kocagozoglu was one of the standout players last couple of years among his generation in Turkey. After a successful summer with Turkish National Team in the FIBA U17 WC, Kocagozoglu started a busy season in both Turkish U19 League and Turkish 2nd Division and had a decent start to the U19 League (Averaged 8.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 4 games). Standing 6-foot-4 swingman brings energy both ends of the court. On the offensive side, he can use his size well and can play low-post actions against backcourt match-ups. He had a above average shooting performance in U17 WC and recorded 40.7% behind the arc with 3.9 attempts per game, he can make both pull-ups and catch and shoots. I’m sure of that Kocagozoglu will take serious role in Efes’ defensive and offensive plan.
Omer Ziyaettin (TUR / 2008 / 6’1’’)
Omer Ziyaettin is one of the most popular prospects here in Istanbul after he made his senior league debut with Fenerbahce last season. Undersized scorer standing at 6-foot-1 and has well-developed shape of body. No doubts on his shooting abilities especially in the last one year, recorded some tremendous individual performances in U16 championships or competitions. Additionally, I’ve seen some good catch&drives and floaters during the Turkish U16 Championship from him. In the other hand, defense is the biggest gap in his game and this a sought-after trait in a player who under 6’2’’.
Darius Karutasu (TUR / 2009 / 6’5’’)
Darius Karutasu is one of the most promising talents among the 2009 born Turkish players and will be playing for his first official international experience. He is 2 years younger than tournament’s generation but, can make his mark on the court even he get a little minutes of play.
Romanian-Turkish guard has a decent shape of body with long arms and muscle wise undeveloped body. So, It seems his development on the court quite depends on his physical development. Karutasu’s family has a noteworthy sports background and also worth mention that his sister is a voleyball player.
On the offensive end, Karutasu is well trusted shooter and can identify him as an athletic finisher on the open court. Shoots with high volume behind the arc and Efes’s game seems pretty suitable for this. However, still a lot of rooms to improve. Karutasu effects more like “stretch” guard and plays less inside. According to my insights, he has a lot of potential with his size (6’5’’ - 201 cm).
Honorable Mentions:
Yavuz Kara (TUR / 2007 / 6’4’’): Bahcesehir’s 6-foot-4 forward was the member of Turkish NT at FIBA U17 WC. He has started Turkish U19 League quite solidly with averaging 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.
Omer Sik (TUR / 2009 / 6’2’’)
Ulas Urunlu (TUR / 2007 / 6’6’’)
Kaan Belgutay (TUR / 2009 / 6’4’’)
Atahan Akbas (TUR / 2007 / 6’6’’)
Mega MIS will be in Istanbul
One of the best talent polishers of the Europe, KK Mega, goes on stage in Istanbul for this year’s qualification round. As every year, they’re one of the favorites of the tournament this year as well.
Ognjen Srzentic (SRB / 2007 / 6’6’’)
Ognjen Srzentic is coming to Istanbul for his 3rd NextGen experienced, and now he is more mature and experienced player than ever. Standing 6-foot-6 swingman has long wingspan that leading him to being impactful on defensive end. Additionally, has a smooth handles which is exceptional for his height and leading him to excel on catch & drives and being slasher on offensive end. Last couple of tournaments, including FIBA U18 EuroBasket and other NextGen Tournaments, biggest flaw in his game was perimeter shooting until this season. 17 years old Serbian had quite successful start to the ABA U19 League behind the perimeter averaging 50.0% with 3.5 attempts per game in 4 games. Istanbul will be a good test for to see what Srzentic can do against international prospects.
Vuk Danilovic (SRB / 2008 / 6’3’’)
Vuk Danilovic started to make more and more noise after his tremendous performance in FIBA U16 EuroBasket. 2008-born Serbian scored double-digits every single game, averaged 15.7 points and played a crucial role for his country to claim bronze medal. Danilovic is really talented on on-ball movements, has crafty handles, and it seems like the ball sticks on his hand while he penetrates or finishes lay-ups. Averaged 1.7 steals with his individual defensive intensity on opponents ball handlers and with his quick hands.
Serbia’s on-ball creator made 37.5% with 4.6 attempts per game behind the arc entire tournament and operated 31.2% of his team’s PnR’s. So, no doubts on he will take a big role on Mega’s offensive creativity in Istanbul.
Honoroble Mentions:
Andrej Pavlovic (FIN-SRB / 2008 / 7’0’’)
Nikola Karalic (SRB / 2008 / 6’6’’)
2024-25 Next Gen Team will lead by former player Dogus Balbay
As the continuation of tradition, Next Gen teams will lead by a former EuroLeague player again. Former Anadolu Efes and Turkish NT captain, Dogus Balbay, will coach 2024-25 edition of Next Gen mixed teams. Also Serbian former player Duško Savanović and former Turkish U16 NT head coach Ozan Havuzlu will be on the sideline. Team kicked off their first practice session last Tuesday, so It’s difficult to create something special on the tactical and team chemistry side. However, It’s still a remarkable stage to watch talents from all over the Europe.
NGT Istanbul Team united by 12 players from 8 countries. Naturally, this squad made up of the best talents around the Europe and it's difficult to highlight some of them. However, I want to mention some of them based on previous competitions and experiences.
Christopher Ebunangombe (FRA / 2007 / 6’6’’)
Christopher Ebunangombe is another player coming for his 3rd NextGen Tournament experience to Istanbul. Ebunangombe, who selected to French NT for FIBA U17 WC, had a decent summer averaging 5.6 points, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes of play. French guard getting major minutes in French U21 League with Le Portel and averages 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.6 steals so far.
Standing 6-foot-5 guard has a long wingspan with a bunch of athleticism that leads him to attack to the close-outs well-balanced. He stands out more around the rim than inside & outside shooting, so probably he won’t be the first option for stretching the floor. However, as I mentioned, this squad have been together for the just 3 days before the tip-off. So, Ebunangombe would be more effective on transitions for Balbay’s game plan which probably will have less half-court tactical formations.
Louka Letailleur (FRA / 2008 / 6'6'')
Louka Letailleur played a crucial role for France to claim gold medal last summer in the FIBA U16 EuroBasket and named for All-Star 5 of the tournament. No doubts on BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque's young star will affect on the court.
Letailleur excels in the paint with his power and athleticism, especially on second chances and offensive rebound, he was effective for his team, and finds buckets from off-cuts. Lefty forward plays with low volume behind the perimeter and stretching his game more to the three-point line will be crucial for his developement.
Djordje Djukanovic (MNE / 2008 / 6'4'')
Djordje Djukanovic led Montenegro in FIBA U16 B Division, averaged 12.0 points and 14.0 rebounds. Undersized forward helped his team on paint defense with his toughness and size. Leading rebounder of the tournament is dependable on positioning, he uses his body well and always follows the ball in the paint. He stands out on PnR's and also has PnPop three pointers in his pocket.
Also Jahel Trefle (FRA, 2007), Rrezon Elezay (TUR, 2007) and Roman Avdejev (EST, 2008) other worth mentioning prospects in this squad.