Turkish Prospects

[Toruko]

Watched the game of Yigitoglu and I am really amazed about his development of just 3 month. He is a serious player right now with strength and weaknesses but the most pleasant point is that we are getting a big with fast legs. He really moves like a wing. Has still loads to learn about positioning and defence nevertheless he outgrew to a serious player. I would even say he is the most impactful player on his team. Still too weak for his opponents but he doesnt shy away at all which is very good.

[Toruko]

An evaluation from the U19 ABA Championship. Didnt watch any game but the transfer to Derby seems to pay off.

Demir Dogan (PF | 208 cm | ’06) ~ SC Derby

Demir did not stand out with his stats at this tournament and he had a smaller role in offense but there were some improvements in his performances in comparison to the tournaments before so he deserves and update. His body language was better and he was way more active and focused in defense than before. He made a lot of good defensive plays which is positive for his future. In offense he played mostly on perimeter and attacked with drives where he showed decent handles and mobility. There were some sloppy mistakes like bad passes or he stepped out of bounds on drives and he needs to become more careful and limit those mistakes. It looks like the decision of moving to Podgorica worked for him and that his development goes in the right direction.

[Toruko]

https://twitter.com/Dorukaraca/status/1599394191699689472

When we compare Buyuktuncel now with him at the start of the season the development is really frightening. He looked without any weapon offensively. Was taking open shots and tried to attack the rim. Now he is showing play making and finishing abilities from post up situations. This kid has no speciality so far but also no weaknesses. There is nothing he cant do on the court.

I am very high on him now and the situation in Bursa with Tofas cant be better for him. There is no money and they will have to build the team around him starting next season. If he can develop a reliable offense we can really talk about a Toni Kukoc light player. His defense will be great but his offense will be the key for greatness. I expect at least a Deck level player.

[Straight forward]

Deck comparison much more appropriate TBH. Kukoc is an alien. Buyuktuncel not even close in terms of skill, craftiness.

[janketa]

Deck comparison much more appropriate TBH. Kukoc is an alien. Buyuktuncel not even close in terms of skill, craftiness.

We don't even need him, beside Kabaca and Osmani. PF is our strongest position in this moment

We need PG and SG prospects

[Toruko]

Deck comparison much more appropriate TBH. Kukoc is an alien. Buyuktuncel not even close in terms of skill, craftiness.

You sometimes misunderstand what I mean. If you look at a player there is always a range between his floor and his ceiling. Comparing him with Kukoc doesnt mean he is the next Toni Kukoc. It just underlines that he is a complete player and can do everything to a certain level like Kukoc. Its a profile comparison.

Anyway he is a very valuable piece in any case. Such glue guys who can play on both ends of the game with such a perimeter defense skill set are always useful for the NT. His ceiling will be decided by the growth of his offensive game and this is what makes some of us here very optimistic. If Tofas manages to give him the role of the leader like Besiktas did it with Seng?n or Bursaspor with Bitim he can be a great player. His growing rate is superb so far.

[Toruko]

Berke Buyuktuncel wasnt very effective in the offense today and made few crucial mistakes but 4 minutes before game ending he defended 3 crucial rim attacks and secured the win for his team. A real difference maker on the defensive end with serious offensive upside even though still very raw in terms of finishing.

I am sure that the Turkish NT will be an elite defensive team with Bona and Buyuktuncel on the court. I would call him right away to the NT FIBA windows.

[Straight forward]

Watched Bitim more closely tonight (not only Eurocup game, but some highs too) as he got more hype recently. I think his upside is a role player in EL. Can't see where the hype is coming from. FOA, instantly eyes are catching not a perfect physicality. Rather thin and short legs, just strong upper body. Rather rigid feet work, more of straight line slasher, not too shifty. I mean by no means you would ever call Bitim "smooth". Not a great athlete, thought has a great motor. His best attribute is shootings, at other aspects average. To claim that he's better than Korkmaz is completely out of hands. The latter is at least 2 times more talented. I'm not even sure Bitim will become true small role material for top clubs as Fener/Efes. Maybe. Anyway, I'm surprised I've seen a guy with such an obvious limited upside (that average player's physicality and limited skill everywhere other than shooting) to get so much hype. I don't think he's reaching Nedovic or Grigonis soild as a player generally. He may score because of shooting, but not as talented. Badly over-hyped.

[Toruko]

Rather rigid feet work, more of straight line slasher, not too shifty. I mean by no means you would ever call Bitim "smooth".

Thats correct, he is working mostly with his athleticism and explosiveness rather than being smart or shifty.

Not a great athlete, thought has a great motor.

His athleticism is a true difference making tool in Europe. Compared to the NBA he is nothing special.

To claim that he's better than Korkmaz is completely out of hands.

No, its the truth. Korkmaz is an below average defender and is not very aggressive nor has he a high motor. When you look at the impact on both ends he is the better player.

I'm not even sure Bitim will become true small role material for top clubs as Fener/Efes. Maybe.

The next step is showing that he can take a similar role from the bench for a EL team.

Anyway, I'm surprised I've seen a guy with such an obvious limited upside (that average player's physicality and limited skill everywhere other than shooting) to get so much hype.

You surely havent got the right picture of him.

I don't think he's reaching Nedovic or Grigonis soild as a player generally. He may score because of shooting, but not as talented. Badly over-hyped.

Grigonis cant even dream about his physical attributes and Nedovic is a scoring first play maker. Bitim is a pure scorer with some pick and roll upside. Not quite the comparison.

[Straight forward]

No, its the truth. Korkmaz is an below average defender and is not very aggressive nor has he a high motor. When you look at the impact on both ends he is the better player.

OK, fair enough. My point was that Korkmaz is 2 times more talented. That's the point. I find Bitim of the kind as a key player for average teams. I'm not even sure how he deals with small roles in top clubs. Maybe he'll be OK because of his high motor, great effort and attitude, but he can't be primarily scorer for any EL team and essentially that's what he is. To me Bitim seems like a Eurocup level volume scorer who lacks intangibles in his game to be role player of elite EL clubs. But maybe I'm wrong.

[Toruko]

2007 born play maker Derin Can Ustun hit a game winning step back 3 point shot against Tofas Bursa in the Turkish U19 league against up to 3 year older guys. He has some trouble finishing near the rim because he is 15 year old but he has a very nice overall game.

https://twitter.com/Dorukaraca/status/1604186722526498816

[Toruko]

Best Young Player: Sadik Emir Kabaca

Stats: 11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg

Plenty of promising upstarts to choose from, but Sadik Emir Kabaca delivering big stats and helping Galatasaray Nef top Group C edged out the remaining candidates.

Kabaca, 22, introduced himself to the Champions League playing for Teksut Bandirma back in the 2019-20 season. Following a FIBA Europe Cup spell with Besiktas Icrypex in 2020-21, he moved to the Lions and resurfaced in the BCL last season.

From three double-digit scoring showings in 2021-22 to four over six 2022-23 games, a huge improvement behind gradually expanding his shooting range. Besides building confidence in offensive duties, he has been brilliant in defense as well sharing a team-high of 1.5 steals per contest with Dee Bost.

The Istanbul outfit seeking an extended run will be back in late January competing in Group K alongside Unicaja and a couple of teams surviving the Play-Ins.

https://balkanforum.info/threads/der-ukraine-sammelthread.234269/page-2737#post-6294957

The best young player in the FIBA CL in the first group stage by far. Turned to a carrying pillar of his team in this season from just a role player. Great upside can be a starting PF for a contending EL team in a couple of years. Even NBA is possible since his game suits more the NBA than Europe. Great shooter with range, doesnt have anything he cant do offensively. Needs to work on his D especially in space.

[Toruko]

Interesting case of Derin Mark Saran (04) who was listed 5'7 and several month later asheville lists him 6'4 and he seems to be very successful in North Carolina. I have no clue about the ranking system but i suppose he is one of the best play makers there.

Cant say much about his level either since the competition is shit but he has loads of offers from colleges

https://www.hudl.com/profile/14764105/Derin-Saran

I just know AD who grew 20 cm in just one year. This guy grew from 1,75m to 1,94m. We finally have several play maker promising prospects

[Toruko]

Berke Buyuktuncel had an ok game against Petkim. Tofas number of quality players are almost 0 and Buyuktuncel is still very hesitant using balls. He made some mistakes in pick and roll defense but the team defense is beyond shit so Idk if I can blame him. He doesnt trust his shot and tries to force tough drives. He needs to create more shots for him. Thats his key.

[Toruko]

Derin Can Ustun had 24 points and 5 assists with great percentages being 15 year old and dominating the game against up to 3 year older guys is not a common thing. He is a born play maker who tries to make the right play in each position. His on ball defense against his opponent is ok but I love his touch. He creates his shot especially from the top at a very high level.