Turkish Prospects

[TurkfromGermany]

The U14 championship ended. 3 2007 born players dominated the stats in the tournament, what a surprise. Dacka Forward Alp Kerem Yücetürk was 1 of those players https://www.anadoluefessk.org/haber/...me-sonuclari-5 And the other 2 players were the Göztepe twins Hasoglu, you can see the maturity easy. I saw a photo of the twins on instagram with a date on the photo, 01/01/200(the last digit was not on the post but it´s not very difficult to interpret the last digit and it is of course 9 and the kids looked like 1,5 years old, never ever 0,5 years old)

Disgusting, disgusting, simply disgusting.........

Besiktas won the championship. MVP was the SG Umut Altilar but this player has no future because too mature, no potential. Atilla Oktay Gülecyildiz is a very interesting player for Besiktas, a project and he even understands the game.

Tofas has some decent guards. The most talented guard at this stage was Fener-player Ömer Ege Ziyaettin, he has clear above average talent. But more SG as PG and even for a PG too small body but kid has real talent......

A bit unremarkable but the Dacka-forward Ahmet Arda Ene is very interesting, it should not be a big surprise if we will see this kid with a major role in our U16 NT in 2 years. Eryaman Tofas(Ankara) has a interesting big with Muhammet Efe Sevim. And some other names from the 08 generation i mentioned before......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAtpCnaW6ZI

I watched some games of this physical sensation. He plays now for the U16 team. He has very good hands. Next year we should see him in Istanbul or at least for a serious club in Izmir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An5uDXL4-9Q

Ibrahim Kutluay´s son with no 10 Ömer Kutluay. This kid has big talent. He is since few weeks with Efes. I saw 1 highlight video of him and he impressed me and in this game you can see the big talent of him, very high future.

Fener has a very talented scorer in the 09 generation. Ömer Yusuf Şık impressed me very much because of his incredibly 1v1 talent, very very rare in turkish bb. But i don´t now if this is because of pure talent or because of maturity. Ömer Kutluay will be a big time talent. This kid is maybe even more talented but we must see if this comes because of maturity.

[Toruko]

I became more and more of a Fan of Emir Arda Sivas. Being 05 born he is putting his heart on the court and dominating 03 born player and outgrow the Turkish Youth League in his first year. He is very short and his shot were a question mark but he really turned out to be a guy with a killer scoring instinct. 30 points against FB in Istanbul

[TurkfromGermany]

The SG-position is the weakest spot in the turkish youth teams, not PG.

Ozan Yilmaz(03) is a very solid prospect, with a better shot he has real good chances at pro level, real fan of him. A huge disappointment is Berkay Yilmaz(03), this kid impressed me at U14 turkish championship very much and led his team win the title and was clar cut MVP and was very childish and zero maturity in his game but couldn´t take his talent to the next levels.

The 04 generation has Yigit Tekin, Ege Tan Yildizoglu, Kutay Günes(Türk Telekom), Derin Saran(USA) etc.

Emir Arda Sivas(Gaziantep) is a very braveful kid. Last year he lost his mother. He bulked up, this is negative. Özgür Cengiz(Gelisim) is the other talented PG in the generation. Melih Tunca(Efes) is the biggest G-talent in the 04-05 generations, this kid has huge potential. He has the full packege for pro level. It´s not important if he will get less playing time in the U-NT´s as the other names.

Yagiz Aksu is SG therefore not in the list.

Derin Can ÜSTÜN(Bahcesehir, 07) is the biggest G-talent in the turkish bb. He could be a generational talent for turkish bb like Alperen Sengün, Demir Dogan. Türk basketbolunun kaderini degistirebilecek cocuk. Türk cocuklarina basketbol nasil oynanacagini ögretecek cocuk. The small club Titan has Kuzey Mumcu, i saw 1 game of him and he impressed me very much, he showed maybe even more brutal drives as Derin Can. We must see him next year for a serious club and he is born in Dezember 07, very very young. Kaan Onat(Efes) is like Yagiz Aksu more SG as PG. This kid is another very interesting G-talent in turkish bb and he has the special IQ like Derin Can ÜSTÜN and Ömer Ege Ziyaettin(Fener, 08). Berkay Yilmaz(03) was more dominant as Ömer Ege at U14 but Ömer Ege is too talented.

But if you don´t get playing time and more important not a real role then you can´t expect much from a prospect.

[Toruko]

Samet Yigitoglu was chosen in the ANGT Next Generation finals team.

[Toruko]

https://twitter.com/ProlificPrep/status/1525188543273807872

Adem Bona is developing greatly. He didnt show a glimps of the passing abilities he is showing now and his jumper even if not taking many looks very smooth and remembers me of Ibaka. If he becomes the player I can see in him, we will be a top 5 team in Europe very soon.

[Straight forward]

https://twitter.com/ProlificPrep/sta...88543273807872

Adem Bona is developing greatly. He didnt show a glimps of the passing abilities he is showing now and his jumper even if not taking many looks very smooth and remembers me of Ibaka. If he becomes the player I can see in him, we will be a top 5 team in Europe very soon.

Bona looks nicely. That athleticism. Will be an interesting big.

Which guards will lead you to this glory though?

[Toruko]

Bona looks nicely. That athleticism. Will be an interesting big.

Which guards will lead you to this glory though?

I expect 2-3 guys to pop up in the next two years but when Bona develops like I expect him to develop it will be the most deadly big rotation in Europe so we dont need a star potential play maker to be good and Larkin doesnt look like he would stop playing but I dont want him to take over. I like his commitment and his fire to represent Turkey but if we want to call ourselves basketball nations we have to solve this play making problem.

You already know about Mert Akay (2000). Yes, he had two injuries but I am convinced he will come back strong. There isnt any rush for him.

197cm guard with a solid wingspan to defend even wings (not all but some) and a great passer who can is a born pick and roll initiator is exactly what this turkish NT needs but we will need to wait how he comes back.

Ömercan Ilyasoglu (2001), also a tall guard with 196cm with insane court vision and passing abilities. Unfortunately has been lacking effort so far defensively and can be a TO prone from time to time. His attitude is really questionable like the most of the Turkish player but he is waking up you could see it at the end of this season. I dont like guards who cant defend well but this is a guy who resembles Teodosic the most.

https://twitter.com/serhatkoymen5/status/1326934874515779587

Ömer Yasir Kücük (2001) who has been playing in the Turkish second league TBL is a long term guy who I believe the most after Mert Akay. Unfortunately his body is not ready at all to compete in higher levels but in some years he will pop up for sure and with popping up I dont mean something like the next CP3 we just need someone who can defend and make plays and secures the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uht8DPThDtA

Like I said he needs 2-3 years to pop up but there isnt any rush either

There are still two guys I like very much. One is 2004 born a true play maker Ege Tan Yildizoglu. He has many tools you can work with. First of all he is an superb ball handler and can pass with both hands. Reminds me of a young Ricky Rubio with all his strength and weaknesses. This is the most protected and hoped play maker prospect in whole Turkey right now and the captain of the U18 team. Needs to put some strength as well and shooting is a big problem. He was also in the ANGT next generation mixed team in Varese Italy. We dont expect him to pop up next season but he is grinding. Good work ethic.

There is a 16 year old guy who is playing minutes for Besiktas being born 2006 but there is no need for his name now.

Actually its Mert Akay we are waiting for till his readyness which will be end of the next season Larkin will continue. For the backup position there are enough candidates. Two solid play maker who can defend are enough for this coming team for the future but of course more is better.

[Straight forward]

FOA, the claim that Turkey will have the most deadly bigs rotation in Europe is highly controversial at least and absolute gamble statement at most Aside Sengun, no-one is even at the doorstep of the NT. Sengun, yes, he's a star prospect, but even he is not the best big prospect in Europe. There's Victor, Banchero and others.

SOA, we Lithuanians also thought that JV, D-Mo, Sabonis (all lottery picks basically) will bring glory and we had the most disappointing decade instead... Not that I want to reduce your optimism, but the backcourt is the key. To have star prospect bigs (Sengun, Bona and maybe some others) is a nice thing, off course.

From what you say, even fn the positive scenario it wouldn't be "soon". Not a single guard is at the doorstep of NT, not even Mert Akay who is likely the best Turkish guard.

More like what you saying that there might be good things for Turkey at the mid and second phase of 20's, but it based on rather abstract (ATM) projections. I like Ilyasoglu from little I seen, but Kukuc fails to impress. Unimpressive frame, physicality. Rigid handles and super slow (and bad) shooting mechanics, not explosive, not smooth, takes time to make a decision. Mediocre by all means from what I see and usually first glimpse tell the bigger stint of the story nevertheless.

Again, not a single Turkish guard showed anything at real PRO level (like Eurocup/Euroleague) this year and thus far. Not even Biberovic who is not a true guard, but a wing. If there's bright future for Turkish backcourt, "soon" is not the word to use.

Larkin alone won't do it. And I doubt he will continue too long. 2-3 more years would be great, but he's definitely won't change Turkish BB culture. He exactly fits the mold. Brings wildness instead of discipline to make a general statement.

Today there's no objective claim that Turkey has an upside to become top 5 in Europe. If there would be obvious high IQ floor generals and true guards on the map already (like real EC/EL map) who could bring things that Turkey lacks, then we could consider it as possibility. Now it's hell of lack. There's no single true point guard on the roster of Turkey. More like today Turkey stands at the solid positions to make some noise with offensive, opportunistic, pace and space kinda basketball, but it's not really sustainable to claim for top 5 rankings.

[Toruko]

FOA, the claim that Turkey will have the most deadly bigs rotation in Europe is highly controversial at least and absolute gamble statement at most Aside Sengun, no-one is even at the doorstep of the NT. Sengun, yes, he's a star prospect, but even he is not the best big prospect in Europe. There's Victor, Banchero and others.

You didnt get what I meant. Every player has its weak and strong sides. Off course I expect every player to get better in time but more important if player on the court can cover their weaknesses. Lets take Alperen Sengün, a great post player who can create in the post for himself or for others and his face up game is nearly as good as his post game but he is small, lacks atheticism and lateral quickness which will get better in time but never vanish fully so what do we need to cover his weaknesses? Its an athletic defender who can protect the rim on nba level, can stay in front of any guard or forward and reaches every big after a pick and roll action. This is the best duo you can have on the court and if one guy develops a shot in time its perfect and this is whats gonna happen in 2-3 years then you have another 7 footer who showed great rebounding, action as a rolling big and a midrange jumper in an NBA team, then a big who can stretch the floor with Sanli. In terms of skills of the modern basketball I cant imagine a better combination of bigs.

I dont take random names say "yeah these are great names whose skills doesnt support each other on the court.

SOA, we Lithuanians also thought that JV, D-Mo, Sabonis (all lottery picks basically) will bring glory and we had the most disappointing decade instead... Not that I want to reduce your optimism, but the backcourt is the key. To have star prospect bigs (Sengun, Bona and maybe some others) is a nice thing, off course.

Its like I said the guys on the court must cover their weaknesses and support themselves on the court. Motiejunas is a tragic story. In my terms the most skillful big that Lithuania has but he didnt have this fire in him to compete and now his legs are slow as hell.
What you need is a Domantas Sabonis who can shoot. This would make you really good. Your team has 2 major problems. Defense of your backcourt and shooting, a smaller problem is rim protection but this is it. I am sorry to say but your bigs doesnt fit on the court.

From what you say, even fn the positive scenario it wouldn't be "soon". Not a single guard is at the doorstep of NT, not even Mert Akay who is likely the best Turkish guard.

Youll see Akay playing for the NT at the end of the next season if he stays healthy of course but it doesnt mean hell be prime Calathes or Micic. Its more like hell be like Bayern Munich Micic or Zalgiris Micic which is considering Larkin will keep playing enough with a deep roster.

More like what you saying that there might be good things for Turkey at the mid and second phase of 20's, but it based on rather abstract (ATM) projections. I like Ilyasoglu from little I seen, but Kukuc fails to impress. Unimpressive frame, physicality. Rigid handles and super slow (and bad) shooting mechanics, not explosive, not smooth, takes time to make a decision. Mediocre by all means from what I see and usually first glimpse tell the bigger stint of the story nevertheless.

"soon" means for me in 2-3 years. Right now the team can compete and has a certain deepness. The guards will need time for sure but there are other guys who are indeed on the verge of popping up.

First of all a stretch four is needed, a prime Ersan Ilyasova if you like and there are tons of names I am expecting sooner or later to come, the list goes from Bona to Demir Dogan.

Again, not a single Turkish guard showed anything at real PRO level (like Eurocup/Euroleague) this year and thus far. Not even Biberovic who is not a true guard, but a wing. If there's bright future for Turkish backcourt, "soon" is not the word to use.

Yes, thats correct and I dont expect anyone except maybe Akay to show anything in that area but this is not my expectation for next season. I expect those guys to play major roles in lower levels. I simply want someone who can secure the ball, defend and pass with a court vision so the Vasa Micic of Zalgiris is more than enough for now premised Larkin will keep playing.

Biberovic is another story and his next step must be playing at BSL level in a major role and defend. He is a horrible defender positioning and reading is horrible but nothing that cant be learned.

Larkin alone won't do it. And I doubt he will continue too long. 2-3 more years would be great, but he's definitely won't change Turkish BB culture. He exactly fits the mold. Brings wildness instead of discipline to make a general statement.

I think you have a wrong picture of him but I think differently. He is a scoring first athletic guy who depends very on his athleticism which can be a problem but he is also a very good play maker himself. Wilbekin would cause problems and Mike James for sure but Larkin can find the balance between scoring and making plays. He is pure luxury right now and a cheating code but in one point i could agree with you. For this team I would prefer having Calathes on this team. Calathes of 2 years ago.

Today there's no objective claim that Turkey has an upside to become top 5 in Europe. If there would be obvious high IQ floor generals and true guards on the map already (like real EC/EL map) who could bring things that Turkey lacks, then we could consider it as possibility. Now it's hell of lack. There's no single true point guard on the roster of Turkey. More like today Turkey stands at the solid positions to make some noise with offensive, opportunistic, pace and space kinda basketball, but it's not really sustainable to claim for top 5 rankings.

If this would happen Turkey would have been already a top 5 team. Thats why expecting all members getting better I will stay optimistic. Your picture will change after Eurobasket...

[TurkfromGermany]

Very good post from SF but your opinion about Sengüns situation for turkish NT is not correct. Sengün will be clear cut the main player of this team(maybe not this year but in the next years). He brings the well needed leadership, IQ, passion, charisma to this team. He will make very big difference for turkish team.

The problem for turkish NT is that there is no perimeter player with a role in the Euroleague(ok Larkin but its not enough). If you don´t have players in EL which control the tempo, then your NT will not have success. Turkish players with roles in the EL for the next years are Sehmus Hazer & Onuralp Bitim. This is a good step for turkish bb but not enough and both aren´t players that can control the tempo(yet).

The problem is that turkish coaches will not give roles to turkish players in EL, therefore turkish bb will always have big problems to have good perimeter players.

Ege Tan Yildizoglu. This is the most protected and hoped play maker prospect in whole Turkey right now and the captain of the U18 team.

I follow your tweets on twitter too, your love for this kid is immense and you are the reason for this hype

But i totally agree about your opinion about the duo Valanciunas and Sabonis.

[Straight forward]

OK, I agree that to have elite offensive center in Sengan and likely elite defensive center Bona is a nice thing. It would be a nice 5 rotation.

Nor Akay, not any other is even close Micic in Zalgiris. I mean, it's a looong shot if that ever happens. It's completely wild take that Akay will be in the NT next year, IMO. 3 years is a long stretch, it's not soon. It's basically an Olympic cycle. And Akay didn't show anything to have a relative point. If he showed something in Eurocup we could say that, yeah, he might be 2-3 years away from decent EL player. Now he has been injured, that's all. Wish him luck though, but we don't know at all where he stands real basketball wise at all.

Another problem is PF. Who is close to solve it? Mentioning some-one as Dogan is just out of hand, he's way distant ATM.

Maybe I will, but unlikely. The backcourt with Larkin, Korkmaz, Cedi will be somewhat opportunistic, somewhat chucking, somewhat too individualistic, somewhat lacking higher IQ and the decision making. The success is possible, but generally unlikely when you will be facing more fundamentally sound teams as France, Serbia, Spain, Slovenia, Lithuania, Greece (all de facto and by official ranking top 6 Fiba Europe teams).

[Straight forward]

The problem for turkish NT is that there is no perimeter player with a role in the Euroleague(ok Larkin but its not enough). If you don´t have players in EL which control the tempo, then your NT will not have success. Turkish players with roles in the EL for the next years are Sehmus Hazer & Onuralp Bitim. This is a good step for turkish bb but not enough and both aren´t players that can control the tempo(yet).
.

You nailed it.

[okanial]

OK, I agree that to have elite offensive center in Sengan and likely elite defensive center Bona is a nice thing. It would be a nice 5 rotation.

Nor Akay, not any other is even close Micic in Zalgiris. I mean, it's a looong shot if that ever happens. It's completely wild take that Akay will be in the NT next year, IMO. 3 years is a long stretch, it's not soon. It's basically an Olympic cycle. And Akay didn't show anything to have a relative point. If he showed something in Eurocup we could say that, yeah, he might be 2-3 years away from decent EL player. Now he has been injured, that's all. Wish him luck though, but we don't know at all where he stands real basketball wise at all.

Another problem is PF. Who is close to solve it? Mentioning some-one as Dogan is just out of hand, he's way distant ATM.

Maybe I will, but unlikely. The backcourt with Larkin, Korkmaz, Cedi will be somewhat opportunistic, somewhat chucking, somewhat too individualistic, somewhat lacking higher IQ and the decision making. The success is possible, but generally unlikely when you will be facing more fundamentally sound teams as France, Serbia, Spain, Slovenia, Lithuania, Greece (all de facto and by official ranking top 6 Fiba Europe teams).

Currently I'd have Metecan Birsen on the roster as PF but he shouldn't get much time. We will probably play a lot of 2 centers line up with Şengün Yurtseven and Şanlı. And playing small worked good for us especially under Ataman system so Cedi can play 4 for some stretches with a lot of shooters. I'd have Yurtseven at 5 when we try that.

[Toruko]

Nor Akay, not any other is even close Micic in Zalgiris. I mean, it's a looong shot if that ever happens. It's completely wild take that Akay will be in the NT next year, IMO. 3 years is a long stretch, it's not soon. It's basically an Olympic cycle. And Akay didn't show anything to have a relative point. If he showed something in Eurocup we could say that, yeah, he might be 2-3 years away from decent EL player. Now he has been injured, that's all. Wish him luck though, but we don't know at all where he stands real basketball wise at all.

You understandably expect to see something from him and it appears to you that he is far away from the NT. I acknowledge it because I would think similarly but youll see it anyway because there is no better guy so we will live with his mistakes and depending on how he will come back from the injury I expect him to take the next step in the CL/Eurocup level. This is my claim which has to be proven.

"Another problem is PF. Who is close to solve it? Mentioning some-one as Dogan is just out of hand, he's way distant ATM."

Dogan was mentioned by me to tell you how many guys are on the verge of making the jump. Unlike the poorer play maker situation, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic.

My favorite guy who I expect to make a similar jump next season is Kerem Kuthan Konan. He is ready to take of and brings everything what I expect from a power forward.

He already made 3-4 very convincing BSL games being October 2004 born. He fights for every ball, can rebound, defend, create from post, dunk and shoot. He cant create shots for now but is exactly what we need. Next season will be his breakout season with Besiktas.

The second guy who is the near the NT level is Sadik Emir Kabaca of Galatasaray. Almost 2001 born between 6'10 and 6'11 Idk with a huge wingspan and a clear shot and solid contact defense responds to most of the needs of the NT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXno4rly08

He has some coordination problems but could make his jump next season.

The next guy should be 2002 born stretch four of University of Miami Tibet Görener who will need 2-3 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW0q5GbfO3g

To give an impression

Next is my favorite guy who plays in the second team in Murcia (2004) 6'7 to 6'8 Yigit Hamza Mestoglu. A hell of a fighter. Has a polished body and a similar good post game to Alperen Sengün when he was at his age. He has started to shoot and has already taken minutes with the A team. I love him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoEmpXjK20I&t=38s

The next both are Berke Büyüktuncel also 2004 born probably 6'10 with great defensive tools and shot but this kid has mental issues and needs couple of years but is a legit talent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqWrGUC8LV4&t=106s

Lacks explosiveness and vertical pop but is a great defender and can create his shot.

Last but not least is Demir Dogan.

I recognize problems and try to measure talent objectively. All those mentioned guys except Berke Büyüktuncel are clear (at least) Euroleague material.

[Straight forward]

And playing small worked good for us especially under Ataman system so Cedi can play 4 for some stretches with a lot of shooters. I'd have Yurtseven at 5 when we try that.

That's actually interesting, but only as a short stretches solution probably.