The final Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament qualifier of the season will take place in Slovenia this weekend. The ANGT Ljubljana tips off on Friday, April 15. Here are some of the young talents to keep an eye on.
ANGT Ljubljana players to watch
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Moussa Bamba, U18 Orange1 Bassano
Bamba will be playing his first ANGT event. The forward from Mali is averaging 13.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in the Italian U19 championship. He stands 2.04 meters, has elite athleticism and plays with confidence in the low post. Offensively, he mainly plays down low and shows nice touch around the basket with some flashes of creativity. Bamba is a versatile defender who can switch and defend multiple positions thanks to his quick feet and good hand-eye coordination. He finishes above the rim and is a high-level shot blocker.
Killian Brockhoff, U18 Next Generation Team Ljubljana
Brockhoff plays for German club Rasta Vechta, where he is averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks in the fourth division and 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks at the U19 level. The 2.06-meter forward has twice played for Germany at the youth national team level at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2019 as well as the FIBA U18 European Challengers 2021. At the latter of those, he averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds. Brockhoff has good shooting range for his size and also has good passing abilities. He is active on defense and can protect the rim.
Motiejus Krivas, U18 Zalgiris Kaunas
Krivas will be competing in the ANGT for a second season after averaging 10.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks at the ANGT Istanbul and then 4.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks at the ANGT Finals. The 2.15-meter center made his EuroLeague debut, playing 2:02 minutes against AX Armani Exchange Milan in Round 23. He is averaging 10.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in the Lithuanian second league. Krivas played at the 2021 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup where he posted 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks. Krivas has great size including a wingspan of 2.24 meters. He has a good basketball IQ for a player his size and very good hands. Krivas is a good shot-blocker and has good control of his body, though he remains somewhat foul prone.
Lon Lican, U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
Lican will be making his ANGT debut for Cedevita. The 2005-born combo guard averaged 9.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals at the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021 to help Slovenia qualify for the 2022 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. The 1.94-meter Lican is playing a very important role on the club’s U17, U19 and senior B teams, the latter of which competes in the Slovenian third division. At the U19 ABA tournament in Bar, Lican was one of the key players in helping Cedevita qualify for the final four. Lican has great passing, shooting and penetrating abilities and is also a good rebounder. He is an all-around player who excels at finding his role on the court.
Eli John Ndiaye, U18 Real Madrid
Ndiaye will be playing his third ANGT campaign and comes into the season as a reigning champion. He averaged 19.0 points, 13.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in last season’s ANGT Finals, including 17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals in the championship game. The Senegalese big man debuted this season with Real’s first team in September in the Super Cup final and has also appeared in four EuroLeague games. Ndiaye is an excellent athlete who can cover a lot of ground defensively and gets out in transition quickly. He can finish around the basket with good balance and is improving his shooting and extending his range. Ndiaye also has a decent handle and can play the face-up game.
Jakub Necas, U18 Basket Brno
Necas will be playing his second ANGT after he posted 13.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks at the ANGT Istanbul last season. The forward is currently averaging 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in the Czech League as well as 16.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks in the country’s U19 league. Necas has played twice for his national team, at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2019, Division B and then the FIBA U18 European Challenger 2021. He likes to play up-tempo, to attack and create and he can finish with both hands. Necas can defend multiple positions and anticipates well.
Szymon Nowicki, U18 Basketball Academy Gydnia
Nowicki will be playing at the ANGT for the first time. The 2005-born forward is averaging 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks in the Polish third division. He played for Poland at the FIBA U16 European Challenger 2021 and helped the country qualify for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 with 17.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks. Nowicki is a versatile wing who can put the ball on the floor, even as a secondary ball-handler. He also feels comfortable in the post and can rebound well for his position.
Rikus Schulte, U18 ALBA Berlin
Schulte will be playing in his first ANGT event this season. The 2.06-meter forward is averaging 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in the German third division as well as 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals in the country’s U19 league. Schulte contributed 3.0 points and 3.8 rebounds at the FIBA U18 European Challenger 2021. He is an all-around versatile forward who can play multiple positions. His perimeter game is improving and he has above-average decision-making. Schulte has nice offensive rebounding instincts with a tough mentality.