Turkish Prospects

[Levenspiel]

Alperen Sengün had a workout with Orlando Magic and it is said that Orlando was so satisfied that they could take him at 8.

this reminds me of Detroit and Milicic story. According to Chad Ford, they were also "blown away" by him at the workouts.

The kid is getting praises from everyone, and he did well at senior level, which is already a lot better level than I had expected him to reach since his u16 days. I truly hope he turns out to be a fine player.

[Toruko]

Ok, since we have the draft in approximately two days I will try to take a realistic picture of Sengun, his strength, swing factors and deficiencies etc.

What will translate from day one?

Sengün is a superb low post scorer with many many counter movements if its necessary. The opponents are surely a different level of athletes with huge wingspans etc but he also has more space to operate. He might struggle a bit at the start but I expect him to adjust very quickly.

He is also a very good passer especially from the low post which will help him create for himself and for his teammates.

Another strength that he has is his natural rolling routine as a big man. His timing and the ability making himself available in the right angles are also great but he is athletically not very gifted so how this ability will translate is not quite clear.

The last but not least ability I expect to be effective from day one is rebounding. He is a prolific rebounder on both ends

What are his swing skills?

Shooting will clearly define his potential. Shooting touch is there but he is too slow for now and his mechanics need work. It will take some years but I am confident that hell make the open ones for sure with some work.

Weaknesses

Defense is his biggest weakness. He is a bad pick and roll defender but in time this part of his game could improve. Hell never be a good defender but he surely is also not Enes Kanter level defender. A lost case guarding NBA guards and probably also against wings. He also doesnt have the wingspan guarding NBA center or neither the ability protecting the rim and right now he is too slow for guarding power forwards.

If he works with angles and good positioning and uses his BBIQ he could be an average defender after all. Timing and positioning are the keys to be an ok bearable guy on defense for him.

He is according to himself 6'10 with a 6'11 wingspan. Those measures are Domantas Sabonis measures with similar skill set. Offensively, I think Sabonis should be his role model and ceiling but defensively Sengün has a bit longer wingspan and he is also the better athlete. In other words he has the tools to become a better slightly better defender than Sabonis.

His draft range is between 8 and 12 imo. Orlando Magic on 8 would give him many minutes since the magic are in a rebuilding process but the best fit would be SA Spurs on 12.

BTW I wouldnt mind OKC on 16 as well although i dont expect him to fall that behind that far.

[Toruko]

After a bad start in Konya/Turkey the U18 Turkish NT beat Poland 81:74.

The Turkish NT solely uses 2004 born Player in a tournament where 2003 born player are allowed.

After a devistating start in the first half the guys decided to play some defense in the second half. Unnecessary TO were a pain in the butt but the guys did a good job on rebounding and ball sharing. The Guys made 26 assists despite turned over the ball 18 times and dominated rebounds with 20 plus

Berke Büyüktuncel did a great job on both ends with 29 points (6/7 from three), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Being almost 2 years younger he has developed very well this season. He has also started creating for himself a bit. Still a very grounded and heavy player but slides very well and can guard multiple positions. You cant expect being this effective from three but he has a very high and one of the quickest release i have ever seen. Gravity passing, defense, shooting look promising. Has to work on his athleticism and ball control. Looks like a second round pick in two years right now.

Ege Tan Yildizoglu was disappointing. Too many unnecessary TOs even though he was able to let his team play with 8 assists but made 6 TO. Very smart guy, can handle pressure very well but he has a very long way to go.

Zekeriya Yigit Tekin is such a flashy ball handler. Amazing fun to watch his ball control in tight spaces. Did a really good job today.

[Toruko]

A heartbreaking loss against Slovenia due to some mistakes at the end. Today, we defended much better, except Samet Yigitoglu who was a big liability in the defense again. Bad positioning, bad focus on defense, stupid unnecessary fouls. One year difference at this age is really a big issue.

Berke Büyüktuncel was great again. 19 points with some really clutch shots and a very good percentage. I wished he would slash a bit more to the rim. He trusts his shot and its really developing but diversifying his game more is better. Gravity passing and rebounding looks very promising. If he gets a bit stronger in this summer we can expect him to take some minutes with Tofas.

Yigit Hamza Mestoglu played also very well. He is a kinda positionless player, was educated as a true center but far too undersized although he has a very solid footwork. Made 15 points

[Toruko]

Turkey wins the first game in the FIBA U16 challenger tournament in Serbia against Belgium. It was also the first chance to watch the Turkish 2006 born progidy Demir Dogan.FIBA listed him as 201 cm but he is at least 204 or taller and he is equipped with a huge wingspan and very quick feet.

He finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. Boi looks like he can guard 1 to 5 everyone at least he will be able to when he is finished growing but the most astonishing skill that he inherits is his handle in tight spaces. He can handle the ball like a solid guard and he also sees what happens around him. I see a clear point combo forward who has very good slashing fundamentals.

He also is very mobile in the low post and can create for himself, turns around from the base line like Sengün but he is by far not that skilled.

His shot needs work, his touch is neither good nor bad. Is not the most explosive guy and not a good passer right now.

Potantial: NBA first round pick.

[Toruko]

https://twitter.com/caine_purnell/status/1427463120218251266

[Straight forward]

https://twitter.com/caine_purnell/st...63120218251266

He excels at transition offense impressively and seem to be very quick decision maker. Interesting player.

[Toruko]

The more I watch Dogan the more it becomes clearer to me. He still has loads of work to do. He has a low focus and doesnt like contact so much and isnt able to create for himself although he has everything to do it but an unbelievably gifted player, who shows flashes of a point forward. Shot doesnt look so broken but there is still work to do. He finished the game with 15 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 1 block and just 1 TO.

Although the rebound numbers are good. Its just at this level. He knows nothing about positioning right now. He just has long arms. Rebound timing is also bad.

[Toruko]

Adem Bona got an offer from the power House of Kentucky. Kallipari knows how to use guys who will stay just 1 year.

[Straight forward]

Adem Bona got an offer from the power House of Kentucky. Kallipari knows how to use guys who will stay just 1 year.

He had fairly disappointing U19 though.

[Toruko]

He had fairly disappointing U19 though.

Almost every guy disappointed during the youth tournaments. One reason is playing with 1-2-3 years younger guys partly or entirely. He has a weak but constantly developing arsenal offensive arsenal and a huge upside on the defensive end which makes him a locked first round pick already. One year Kentucky program will help him developing his game even further so U19 doesnt say much.

[Toruko]

Here is a clip of Berke Büyüktuncels highlights. He really finished the U18 tournaments being almost 2 years younger with 63% from the perimeter at high volume. He has a very fast and smooth stroke and is a great gravity passer. He reminds me of a taller Cedi Osman with better wingspan and shot and less athleticism. Very fast on his feet and can surely defend all 5 positions at this stage.

[Toruko]

Demir Dogan, what a special talent are you? His game is made for NBA Basketball. This speed with ball control and degree of self creation is special. He must be a locked first round pick right now with the combination of length wingspan and speed. If shooting comes around in two years top 5 pick. Next big thing in Europe and his agent wants to take him to Serbia.

20 Points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks with high percentage. If he had been demanding he could have doubled these numbers.

A very solid weak side blocker but he is thin as toothpick and cant handle contact right now.

https://twitter.com/Mike_Schmitz/status/1428729555368521734

Mike has already two eyes on him

[Straight forward]

August 18

He has a low focus and doesnt like contact so much and isnt able to create for himself although he has everything to do it but an unbelievably gifted player, who shows flashes of a point forward.

August 20

This speed with ball control and degree of self creation is special.

[Toruko]

August 18



August 20

There is no contradiction. He was passive but today he showed more, thats all.