adidas Eurocamp: Day 1 RecapBy: Aran_Smith

2013 Eurocamp Day 1

The annual adidas Eurocamp began on Saturday in Treviso, Italy with numerous NBA GMs and international scouts in attendance, once again. This is the 11th year the event has taken place here in Treviso and the 8th time that I have covered it. It remains one of the absolute can’t miss events from an NBA draft scouting perspective.

The roster ended up being a bit of a disappointment as a number of high profile prospects that were expected to participate ended up having to pull out for various reasons: Rudy Gobert (food poisoning), Dante Exum (stress fracture), and Livio Jean-Charles (unknown). Also, 2nd round dark horse Bojan Dubljevic is on the roster and is expected to participate tomorrow. It is a little surprising that so few prospects from a very strong international class decided to participate. But as always getting players to come is never easy.

Bebe’s Redemption

Lucas Nogueira was easily the stand out performer from day one and the top overall prospect in the event by a long shot. After such a dreadful showing in 2011, it was good to see "Bebe" exorcise the demons from his past performance here with such a great day.

Bebe finished with 13 points (6/7 from the field), 4 blocks, 3 boards and also converted 1/2 free throws showing solid form. His talent is unmistakable and scouts were unanimous that he’s a first rounder with some saying they felt that he would be gone by the 20th pick after such an impressive performance. The situation that he lands in figures to factor big into his future.

He blocked shots, showing rim protector potential and had a number of impressive dunks on ally oops and athletic finishes at the rim. His combination of length (7-foot-6 wingspan, 7-foot-1 height) plus agility and speed running the floor make his ceiling considerable. He also shows good ability to react to plays, something that often sets apart bigmen that can and can’t make it in the NBA. He’s got all the talent one could want to make it big in the NBA, it’s really a matter of how much he wants to be great.

The biggest knock from scouts against Nogueira is that he’s lazy and lacks the focus and feel for the game to maximize his abilities, but he had a solid season playing in the ACB, widely considered the top league in Europe following the Euroleague

Before today’s game a sense of negativity surrounding Bebe was lingering among scouts as it’s difficult to forget his performance in 2011, (going from a possible late 1st to likely undrafted prospect) yet those that followed his progression and improvement this year are extremely intrigued by him. It’s easy to forget that he was once thought to be a potential top 5 pick type of talent when he was 18 years old.

Nogueira’s agent confirmed that this was his one game and that they would shut him down tomorrow. This is typical for the top prospects to only play one day, particularly following a strong performance. If Bebe can improve his motor, he could end up being a Joakim Noah type of contributor at the NBA level.

There were GMs in attendance from a few of the late lotto teams (Sam Hinkie, Philadelphia 76ers – 11), (Donnie Nelson, Dallas Mavericks – 13) and (Dennis Lindsay Utah Jazz – 14). And after such a strong performance in front of the entire league, there appears to be a legit possibility that Bebe could land in the late lotto.

Breakout Performer

The prospect who may ultimately end up as the 2nd best player, at least out of those that participated in Day 1 is 7’1 Czech center Ondrej Balvin. Balvin is a massive, somewhat lumbering center who projects to 1985 NBA much better than today’s NBA, and some scouts are quick to write him off due to his lack of speed.

But his size and tremendous feel for the game and skill level drew comparisons to Marc Gasol from scouts. He’s a gifted passer showing on more than one occasion the ability to create shots for teammates with passes from the high post. He also appears to be very nimble and light on his feet for someone as big as he is.

The NBA has really shifted to a league of quickness over size and players like Aaron Grey, who Balvin probably most closely compares to are few and far between in today’s NBA. He’ll need to tone his body some and continue to work on becoming quicker to defend the pick and roll to make it, but he’s caught the eye of scouts and seems to have the attributes to succeed if he dedicates himself.

Balvin did not declare his name, so he is not eligible for this year’s draft. He is 1992 born so he’ll be automatically eligible next year.

Giannis Adetokoubo Game

Word came late in the afternoon that there was a chance to catch Greek prospect Giannis Adetokoubo in a town called Jesolo in an U20 match up between Greece and Croatia.
 
Davide Bortoluzzi, Nate Duncan, Rick Pietro and I jumped in a car and headed 45 minutes East for a chance to watch the highly intriguing, and mysterious young Greek phenom. This was the first ever game that Giannis had played with the national team after finally getting his Greek passport, and a good half of the scouts/GMs made it down.

Our consensus was that he was a little more skilled and less athletic than advertised, and while a potential starter in the NBA someday, certainly not worthy of  selecting before"Bebe" in our estimation.

He’s not likely to ever fill out into a strong body but his length helps him make up for some of his strength and explosiveness shortcomings. He shows a willingness to play team ball and has a very intriguing set of passing and ball handling skills. His lack of foot speed and explosiveness limits his long term upside to an extent, and the fact that he’s so many years away from contributing probably makes him a pick in the 20s as opposed to a lottery/teens pick.

He showed flashes of what has made him a projected first round prospect, with a huge wingspan and smooth movements. He’s surely 2-3 years away from being an NBA contributor, but in a draft with limited depth and potential, he appears to be an excellent late first round pick to stash for a number of seasons.