Turkish Prospects

[Toruko]

Very fun game in Bursa between Tofas and Efes. Very good game of Berk Ugurlu who ended the game with 7 points and 10 assists. Unfortunately he got injured because of a chair but it didnt look very severe. He is not a good passer but his penetration abilities and his clear spot up shooting makes him very useful. Defense is also very solid. Would be an upgrade from the bench for the nt.

Desperately looking for a play maker for the future...

[Toruko]

First game in ANGT of Tofas against Barcelona. Tofas without a decent big gave Barcelona a very hard time. Even Though Batin Tuna had a bad day scoringwise with 2/12 he showed that he is a complete guard/forward. With 15 rebounds and 6 steals he showed his specialty defensively, added 4 assists (could be 10 if the team finished easy layups) and 11 points. I also want to mention that Batin is 2003 born and thats why he can also play next season in ANGT.

Ă–mer Ege Peksari showed also some skills, was very efficient scoringwise with 16 points (5/8 from the field) and added 6 assists in addition. I am positively surprised and will love watching him in the U17 wc in sofia.

[Toruko]

Tibet Görener had 39 points in a game 2 days ago. Very nice stroke, is also much more aggressive defensively, ball handling improved significantly. Cant wait to see his progress in Bursa. I will be there during U18 EC.

[CoachZ]

Ulubay had an OK showing for FMP in a 95-91 loss to Mega. He scored 13 points, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, only one turnover. The bad part was his outside shooting with 0/6 for 3pt, he shot 4/7 for 2pts and was perfect from the line 5/5 FT. He played 27 minutes which is team high like Reath with 28 minutes.

It is obvious that the coach loves him and has a lot of respect from the teammates. He should continue to play a lot all through.

[Katastroika]

He had very bad decisions in crucial moments of the game and this happens again and again. I like that he is taking responsibility but he does it overmotivated. Hope this issue will be solved soon as FMP has real chances on making the playoffs.

[TurkfromGermany]

Watched a very interesting game of Bandirma kirmizi against Fethiye the current leader of TBL. Kirmizi lost in the last seconds unfortunately and i was very positively surprised by Eray AkyĂ¼z who astonishingly controlled the game and speed very well. He has been playing the floor general in the second division for years now. I think he is ready to be tested in BSL...

Ercan Osmani again had a solid game with 18 points and 12 rebounds, Eray AkyĂ¼z made 26 points and 6 assists and played almost 40 minutes. He is the best pg prospect that we have right now including mert akay but i am not sure about his usability for the highest league, he is talented but his body is still very skinny shooting seems to improve but i am not convinced yet.

This is typical way of turkish thinking, today is Ahmet the best, tomorrow Mehmet etc. No way that Eray AkyĂ¼z is the best pg-prospect. He has some talent but no chance for high level bb.

I had watched the last game of Bandirma-Anadolu Basket because of the real important prospects for turkish bb. For Sadik Kabaca and Burak Gözeneli(Anadolu Basket). 3 important prospects are in 2nd division, Burak Gözeneli, Sadik Kabaca(Bandirma), Mert Konuk(Balikesir), the rest is trash. Stats are not important, Eray Aydogan has stats but he is garbage etc.

U14 NT

Berk GĂ¼ner, Muhammed Emin Kara, Yağız Uraslı, Konukhan Konuk, – Anadolu Efes
Ali Ayan, Salih Altuntaş, Deniz Gökpınar

Arda Esmerdağ, Kaan Hazan, Barış Turan, Kuzey Bakkalbaşıoğlu – Bahçeşehir Okulları
Demir Doğan, Yağız Aksu, Berkay KaraişĂ§i – Bandırma Basketbol İhtisas
Ufuktan Doğan – Beykoz Gençlik
Ege Akçay, Batuhan Yiğit, Cem Derofe, Deniz Karabulut – DarĂ¼şşafaka
Ege Ediz, Kartal Erolan – Ege Asist
Baki Can Kapan – Emlak Konut
Seyit Cemal Cindoruk – Erciyes Koleji
Deniz Kocaman, Enver Bora Pazarlı, Mustafa Kaymaz, Mustafa Eskici, – Fenerbahçe
Semih Kerem Varoğlu

Kerim Aydemir, Ruşen Kerem Erden, Oğuz Atamer – Galatasaray
Barış Barakacı, Muzaffer Mert Kağıtçıoğlu, Taylan George Warren – Genç Karşıyakalılar
Kemal Efe Yılmaz – İTO Eğitim ve Sosyal Hiz.
Batu Eryurtlu – Mavişehir Sk.
Yiğit Gökay Kaba – Servergazi Basketbol
Volkan Berke Aştı – TED Ankara Kolejliler
Denizhan Ceylan – Tofaş
Mert Kodaman, HĂ¼seyin Ege Baytaroğlu – Yeni Ufuklar

The pearls of TeksĂ¼t Bandirma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYDIFpU6iZE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hwkxnEyAEA

[c-myers]

Ulubay had an OK showing for FMP in a 95-91 loss to Mega. He scored 13 points, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, only one turnover. The bad part was his outside shooting with 0/6 for 3pt, he shot 4/7 for 2pts and was perfect from the line 5/5 FT. He played 27 minutes which is team high like Reath with 28 minutes.

It is obvious that the coach loves him and has a lot of respect from the teammates. He should continue to play a lot all through.

Coach what are your thoughts on Ulubay. Actually he was huge prospect but never meet the expectation. I would like to read at least a brief breakdown from you.

[TurkfromGermany]

Ă–mer Yurtseven was destroyed again in an important game. Unfortunately but that is the reality. This guy has 0 good games against good competition, really zero.....Even in Turkey Berke Atar destroyed Ă–mer Yurtseven although he is 1 year younger, even Deniz Celen destroyed him in 1 game in Turkey. Ă–mer Yurtseven could never led Fener to a title or even 3rd place in Turkey, he always outplayed in important games. In Fiba tournaments he was a joke too in important games, Papagiannis killed him everytime etc. etc......unfortunately but that are facts......really bad for turkish bb but that is the reality.

Böyle seyler unutulmaz, TĂ¼rk insaninda hafiza diye bir sey olmadigi icin ve kendimizi kandirmak istedigimiz icin böyle seyleri unutuyoruz ama sonra gerceklerle karsilastigimiz zaman sasirmamamiz lazim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFYcj_EWeNA

It´s not big surprise that Tibet Görener is best player at this level but better this low level as high level for him. In this low level he has the ball in his hands and that is the most important thing for him now. In Montverde he would stay in the corners and take the 3 and then in college the same and as PF etc. Again........he is a SF, he is as big as Okben-Furkan, also 200-201, not more, it´s not important that he is listed as 206 on Fiba, this is just a joke, we are not blind. Anyway it´s better that he is 200 because he hasn´t the ability to play PF, he is a clear cut SF and his body is just perfect, it´s not important that he is thin, next season or after summer 2021 he has the best body of turkish players. Yavuz GĂ¼ltekin has perfect body too but with the difference Yavuz has slow feet. Tibet´s problem is not his body, his softnes is his problem.

[Toruko]

Worst game of Yurtseven so far in the league. He took too many fade away jumper instead of using his legs. He obviously struggles more in faster games. Romaro Gill is stronger, older and more athletic and has a much bigger wingspan. So its normal that he struggles but he should learn from this game.

[CoachZ]

Coach what are your thoughts on Ulubay. Actually he was huge prospect but never meet the expectation. I would like to read at least a brief breakdown from you.

I like Ulubay because he has a very diverse skill set and can find many ways to be useful on the court. The one thing that irritates me when I watch him play is that he seems to lack that top-gear intensity when he is in the zone and killing it. I haven't seen him go all out in a single game so far. This concerns me, because it is similar to what Borisa Simanic has in mental make up and it frustrates the hell out of us. His mental make up might be more of a follower, not a leader. Which is a pity since he has a lot of skills that could make him one of the key guys in the team.

The good

- He has a solid all-around skillset for a SF. He can rebound at a solid rate, both offensively or defensively, he can put the ball on the floor, he can move the ball and pass at a great rate for his position etc.
- He has upside as a PnR ball-handler for a big PnR with him and a center. Not often seen at his position in Europe. In many ways reminds me of Davidovac in Zvezda in that sense.
- Fantastic defensive upside if he is focused. He has an incredible feel for team defense and can move well in passing lanes, use his body against smaller players etc.
- He can post up smaller players and has a lot of ways to finish from the post up. Similar to Kalinic in that sense.
- He doesn't use it as much, but his handle should allow him to get to the free throw line often, where he converts at 85%.
- Solid in up-tempo style offense

Bad

- Inconsistent shooter. The arc of the ball is low to convert at a high percentage. The shoot looks a bit flat and this is why the rotation varies and it is difficult for him to find a consistent stroke.
- Shoots too many 3s for the quality of his shoot.
- He often forgets his midrange game and the ability to slash/post up smaller guards/forwards
- Needs to get stronger on contact. Despite his size, tends to be a bit soft around the rim. He should follow Kalinic example in that sense. Work on his body.

That is most obvious to me. The key is intensity and consistency. He has made great strides this season with FMP. He has a future and I belive that he already would be a solid player in the Eurocup. A year or two of this pace of development and work, he would be playing in EL without problems and contribute serious minuts.

[Toruko]

I read an interview with Okben for a turkish source and he is obviousĺy very happy in Serbia. Its also good he is out of focus for us Turks. He should concentrate on his development in Serbia, maybe try to make a jump to bigger teams in two years (Partizan, Zvezda) and then he can come back to Turkey. Efes would love to use him.

[Toruko]

Very very entertaining game in Izmir between Karsiyaka and Efes. Metecan birsen had a good all around game and stood up in crunch time but Karsiyaka lost in the first overtime with the help of Tuncer and Larkin had the last word. As I said Metecans body is made for playing basketball but he needs to work on shot creation and iso play. 16 points with 3/5 from 3 pointer. I trust him more and more.

[c-myers]

I like Ulubay because he has a very diverse skill set and can find many ways to be useful on the court. The one thing that irritates me when I watch him play is that he seems to lack that top-gear intensity when he is in the zone and killing it. I haven't seen him go all out in a single game so far. This concerns me, because it is similar to what Borisa Simanic has in mental make up and it frustrates the hell out of us. His mental make up might be more of a follower, not a leader. Which is a pity since he has a lot of skills that could make him one of the key guys in the team.

The good

- He has a solid all-around skillset for a SF. He can rebound at a solid rate, both offensively or defensively, he can put the ball on the floor, he can move the ball and pass at a great rate for his position etc.
- He has upside as a PnR ball-handler for a big PnR with him and a center. Not often seen at his position in Europe. In many ways reminds me of Davidovac in Zvezda in that sense.
- Fantastic defensive upside if he is focused. He has an incredible feel for team defense and can move well in passing lanes, use his body against smaller players etc.
- He can post up smaller players and has a lot of ways to finish from the post up. Similar to Kalinic in that sense.
- He doesn't use it as much, but his handle should allow him to get to the free throw line often, where he converts at 85%.
- Solid in up-tempo style offense

Bad

- Inconsistent shooter. The arc of the ball is low to convert at a high percentage. The shoot looks a bit flat and this is why the rotation varies and it is difficult for him to find a consistent stroke.
- Shoots too many 3s for the quality of his shoot.
- He often forgets his midrange game and the ability to slash/post up smaller guards/forwards
- Needs to get stronger on contact. Despite his size, tends to be a bit soft around the rim. He should follow Kalinic example in that sense. Work on his body.

That is most obvious to me. The key is intensity and consistency. He has made great strides this season with FMP. He has a future and I belive that he already would be a solid player in the Eurocup. A year or two of this pace of development and work, he would be playing in EL without problems and contribute serious minuts.

Thanks coach its always good to ready that player breakdown from you. People have always criticized Okben for lack that top-gear intensity. if he can maximize his potential defensively and become a consistent outside shooter he is gonna be solid player. its really enjoy to watch his all around skillset. Hope he will stay in Serbia next year too. Zvezda might be best option for him.

[TurkfromGermany]

Very very entertaining game in Izmir between Karsiyaka and Efes. Metecan birsen had a good all around game and stood up in crunch time but Karsiyaka lost in the first overtime with the help of Tuncer and Larkin had the last word. As I said Metecans body is made for playing basketball but he needs to work on shot creation and iso play. 16 points with 3/5 from 3 pointer. I trust him more and more.

What would happen with Metecan if Tolga Gecim would play for KSK?

Tolga would be one of the stars, probably the main creater etc.

And what would happen with Metecan? 15mpg-guy with zero impact, this is the real potential of Metecan......

Metecan is only as PF interesting for turkish bb because we have no PF´s.

The biggest problem of the NT is Ufuk Sarica. With Semih Erden, Dogus Balbay as main rotation players, Cedi Osman as "star" you can´t be successful.

A team with Larkin, Bugrahan Tuncer, Berk Ugurlu, Melih Mahmutoglu, Furkan Korkmaz, Yigit Arslan, Tolga Gecim, Cedi Osman, Ersan Ilyasova, Sertac Sanli, Ă–mer Yurtseven, Muhsin Yasar is the best turkish team since 2013-4
The biggest problem is Ufuk Sarica, Sarica´s roster would look like this....Larkin, Dogus Balbay, Melih Mahmutoglu, Furkan Korkmaz, Cedi Osman, Ersan Ilyasova, Semih Erden, Sertac Sanli as main rotation, then Bugrahan Tuncer, Tolga Gecim, Metecan Birsen, Ömer Yurtseven(but if he ends up in NBA he will not come), Ege Arar etc.
If you are a limited team then Sertac must be one of your main wappens on offense and then you need players like Bugrahan, Tolga. But for Ufuk Sarica, Dogus Balbay is a 25mpg-guy etc.......

[Toruko]

Ugurlu saved the ass of Tofas against Malaga and ruined my bet but a very solid performance of him. A really pesky and strong guy although just 190 cm. Needs to work on his passing skills but i would take him over than turnover machine Bugrahan Tuncer with no defense. Can make the game really speedy and go to the rim. No ability to create some shots but the open shot is very very clear.

And with him you dont need bum Dogus Balbay.