Very nice scouting on Topic. I also think he is being slept on a lot. I have no doubt that he is going to make it at senior level. After this Olimpic cycle he should be able to contribute in NT and I don't think it's too soon at all.
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Big congrats to U18 team. Much more important than gold medal is the amount of talent in this generation which is varying from excellent role players to star players. Also, great character and mentality from this generation. It's important to mention coach Stefanovic. So young but already displaying some serious coaching ability. His game management was fantastic. Bright future for him.
Now, about individuals. Topic is ready for serious senior basketball. I already said, as far as I'm concerned he can take a spot in senior NT right now. The way he dominated entire Spanish backcourt, and especially how he scored over Aday Mara around the basket in every way imaginable is the clear indicator that he is ready for the next level. I mean, Mara is like 220cm tower and played serious basketball in ACB league last season, and was quite good. Topic was just too quick and too crafty for Mara. Topic in full speed with ball in his hands is like a wrecking bull. His acceleration with variety of ways finishing around the basket reminds me a lot of Tony Parker. Not to mention how he manipulates P&R, always keeps you guessing what his next move will be. Just great offensive awareness. He didn't shoot well this tournament, but considering that he shot close to 40% from three in all competitions last season, don't think that will be an issue going forward. Also, his defensive upside was on full display tonight. The best trait about him is his head. Such a great composure and mentality. Impressive considering his age. True floor general in the making.
Bosnjakovic also saved the best for the last. He dominated in both ways against Gonzalez who is considered to be top prospect in 2006 generation. Great upside as a two way player. Showing great character.
Markovic is in the best 5 of the tournament. He didn't have good game on offense, but great job on Mara (along with Misic who had a great game defensively). Ultra talented forward with great upside once he hits the gym and get stronger.
Couple of players that I think can be excellent role players - Musicki and Nikolic. Musicki is basically a pit bull on defense. He just sticks to his guy until he cracks under pressure. Great knack for stealing the ball and looks to be ready for big moments.
Nikolic is a solid defender. Nice shooting stroke and surprisingly good face up game, especially in missmatch situations. He can play bully ball. Very nice option at PF.
Basically, all players in this generation have upside for senior basketball.
Jovic is of course another player with bright future, too bad he got injured.
03, 04, 05, 06 generations have immensely talented players. Hard to project how things will develop but I will be very surprised if at least few of these players don't make it at senior level.
This gold medal for Topic and co. could be a great foundation in building champion mentality going forward. Topic is the type of leader with great mindset.
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NIS (Serbia) - Nikola Topic was crowned as the MVP of the FIBA U18 European Championship, after leading Serbia to its third title since 2017.
Good analysis of Topic's game. The only question mark is his shooting but I think he will be good enough shooter to earn respect from oppossing defense and not allow them to go under screen. He will most likely vary around 36-38% from the three point range considering he is taking a lot of contested, off the dribble shots from the perimeter. Needs to get higher arc on his shot as it seems to be too flat. Basically, I don't see any real concerns right now, we'll see when he gets big minutes next season at senior level.
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Topic with 20/11/7 in friendly game against Cluj (Eurocup team). I didn't watch it, but this is looking nice. Gonna be a blast to watch this kid in senior basketball next season and in NT during those windows.
Djurisic seems to be in some kind of isolation, not playing with Mega. I suposse he is working individually on his game. Sky is the limit for this kid if he improves his shot and get it all together.
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Topic with 21/5 against Cedevita. After weaker game vs Partizan, completely dominated team which is suppossed to be 4th best team in ABA league. Filip Jovic also with great game in limited minutes. Djurisic had strong game vs Partizan, his shot looks improved with higher arc. Saranovic from FMP continues to display very intriguing skill set. Very nice SF in the making.
A lot of talents to watch this season in ABA league.
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In my opinion Topic should have been playing at World Cup. I wish he went there instead of Simanic. That was my hope before the tournament have started , maybe tragedy would have been prevented and Topic would have had great experience, he's the future of the Serbian NT at pg position. We have some interesting prospects at pg, sg positions Topic,Stankovic,Bosnjakovic,Radosic,Srnzetic etc. If two or three of them pan out we should be alright for the next decade.UZEO SI TROFEJ MACVANE MACVANE MACVANE!!!
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Coming back for a second campaign with the Miami Heat, Nikola Jovic carries useful experience from representing Serbia during the offseason
If he was able to have such impact in his rookie campaign with NT, that only tells how much upside he has and I assume he is going to be really difficult to contain as soon as next year at Olympics. Jovic/Jokic frontcourt could be just devastating. I don't see how you can stop that with helping on Jokic of off Jovic for example. With Bogdan in the back. Jovic is a no brainer NT fan and if he is healthy, his commitment is not questionable.
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Topic is just ridiculous. 25 pts vs Cedevita in 1st round of ABA league in a very competitive game. I don't remember if we have ever had a point guard with that kind of skill set. Aggressive scoring combined with great passing vision. Some scouts compared him to Josh Giddey, probably true in some aspects, but the way he gets to the rim with such speed and all kinds of crafty finishing around the basket reminds me very much of Tony Parker.
Djurisic also with good game, his shot looks better. Watching him and Topic playing for NT in upcoming windows is going to be so fun. Great opportunity to integrate a few more top prospects.
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Originally posted by Serbian_Layup View PostTopic is just ridiculous. 25 pts vs Cedevita in 1st round of ABA league in a very competitive game. I don't remember if we have ever had a point guard with that kind of skill set. Aggressive scoring combined with great passing vision. Some scouts compared him to Josh Giddey, probably true in some aspects, but the way he gets to the rim with such speed and all kinds of crafty finishing around the basket reminds me very much of Tony Parker.LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
Buzelis, Lelevicius
Murauskas, Sirvydis
Tubelis, Krivas
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Originally posted by Straight forward View Post
Indeed looks impressive. I was thinking he may be early bloomer who might struggle at PRO, but his transition at the moment is sensational. Lower gravity center, shorter legs seem to be working as an advantage for him (much like for K. Leonard in a way I guess) in terms of the explosive feet work, coordination, mobility, shiftness. Seems like he has NBA fit guard physicality which is rare for white Euros. He still will need to get a bit stronger and to add weight and if that doesn't take anything from him, he will be a strong NBA guard. The shot is still a question though. Nevertheless his slashing, touch, ability to make super quick decisions even in an air is ridiculous for18yo. We need to see him in at least EL or NBA environment first, but seems like Serbia might have the best guard in Europe after Doncic.
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Mitar Bosnjakovic averaging 19 ppg playing in Spanish EBA league with Real Madrid 2. Gonzalez is also playing in this league and occasionally suiting up for senior team in the last couple of games. I think it won't be too long before we see Bosnjakovic in Real's senior team. Potential to be a great modern two way player.
There are a lot of hot prospects currently playing in KLS. Bogoljub Markovic (211 cm forward) had 27/17 game a few days ago. Radosic doing really well in Dynamic so far, a prototype of aggressive SG with great scoring instincts. Musicki also had a great game, his ceiling is a very good defensive guard with potential to be a reliable spot up shooter. Filip Malesevic (220 cm center) with great shooting touch also very interesting to follow.
2005/2006 are filled with great talents led by Topic.
2008/2009 are even more stacked with highest level prospects such as Danilovic, Karalic, Kusturica (Barcelona) who are all top 3 Euro prospects in their generations. They are way too young to make any projections right now but talent is there.
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