Indeed, there are many prospects at positions 3-5, only few of them at 1-2. But the guy I've noticed is already mentioned by @Katastroika - Nikola Đurišić. Only 16, playing at OKK Beograd in KLS right now (KLS is pretty underwhelming league quality wise, but for those young players at that age it might be beneficial form physical perspective because they are up against tougher and physically much stronger competition), he gives me vibes of those old school Serbian/Yugo guards (forwards) with tons of skills and superb feel for the game. Kind of players not necessarily athletic, even look slow, but so skilled that they play the game in their own pace and just making teams adjust to them rather than adjusting to opposition. Probably the best prospect in his generation, enormous potential.
Nakić projects to be a really good/elite shooter with excellent ball handling skills. Has a great size for a guard. We'll see how he develops in Oostende, he had a great game recently, scored 25 points, tons of rebounds and couple of assists. I'm not sure if he will choose to represent Serbia though, there were indications like it's going that way, but Croatia and even Spain can still be in the play for him. This bubble for European qualifiers was a good chance to invite him, but he still might be undecided.
We'll see about Pokuševski, incredible ceiling, but he is still a long shot.
Need to see more to be able to comment about Tristan Vukčević, from what I've seen he's got a great size, nice shooting stroke, ability to put the ball on the floor and lead transition after securing defensive possession. Very fluid for his size.
Smailagić is kinda stuck between PF and C. Very intriguing skill set, he loves attacking on close-outs, which makes him a valuable asset in some small ball lineups against more traditional slow foot centers. It would be great for him if he profiles himself as an adequate player at both PF and C positions, not to mention it would be great for our NT to have a possibility to throw in some small ball lineups. He is also sneaky athletic, loves to play with the ball in his hands. Not much of a post up player though, defense is a work in progress.
Petrušev is built for European/Euroleague basketball much more than NBA, in my opinion. He is not a rim protector and so far he is not showing a lot of range in his game. That hurts a lot his NBA potential. His strengths are post ups and finishing around the basket as a roll guy. Also a fairly good rebounder. He excels at those skills, and I think his future is in Europe, probably Euroleague basketball. He has the potential to be an elite offensive center in this competition. Also, Milutinov will be a part of our frontcourt rotation for another 5-6 years.
Now, when it comes to some other not necessarily young or wide known prospects who can make a jump to NT, I would predict that Ognjen Jaramaz might become a very valuable piece of our guard rotation in the near future, if he keeps developing like in past two seasons. I see him as a perfect replacement for Jović when retires form NT. Not as good playmaker as Jović, but better ability to create his own shot, really good slasher (able to finish through contact, something that Nedović for example has missed his entire career), and an aggressive on ball defender with excellent lateral quickness. Guys like Avramović, Peno, Dobrić, Davidovac, Kravić etc. are good to have, especially in these circumstances, but they are probably not close to make a serious consideration for the best team.
I thought Radanov would get a chance at Zvezda this season, but apparently it isn't happening. Why is that so, I have no idea. It baffles me that Zvezda hasn't been able to produce one single domestic Euroleague level player since they became regular participant. When you take into consideration that they have by far the best conditions to develop younger players, very good infrastructure, one entire ABA league club – FMP is basically their affiliate, it just can’t be that there aren’t younger players worthy of chance to compete for a playing time at Zvezda’s roster. It’s a waste of all resources that they have been enjoying for years due to a very favorable political ambiance in Serbia. And that’s very gutless. I don’t believe it’s all about lack of domestic talent, but rather unwillingness to really invest in younger players due to pressure to make a noisy result in Euroleague. A lack of daring mentality, it looks to me.
All in all, right now, Pokuševski, Vukčević and Đurišić (two years younger) are probably the brightest Serbian prospects, followed by Nakić. Smailagić and Petrušev, I think they have a high floor, but not too high ceiling. Definitely potential to become valuable NT material.
Guards with scoring ability or playmaking skills are definitely missing here, but with Micić, Bogdan, potentially Pokuševski who is basically point forward, and of course Jokić, I don’t feel like we will be experiencing problems in our guard rotation due to lack of playmaking, or lack of scoring guards.
I began to laugh during the video. Flashback. (Of course if we take into consideration that Zeljko would have rather died than shoot outside the three point line - but those post ups and moves are like a copy).