Event Recap: Adidas Next Generation Tournament Patras
The Adidas Next Generation Tournament is likely the top club competition in the world when it comes to the Under-18 age category.
After Real Madrid won the Munich qualifiers handedly last month, it was time for the second qualifying stage which took place in Patras, Greece over the weekend. Spanish side Joventut Badalona came away with the win, earning an automatic berth for the ANGT Finals, which will be held in Kaunas, Lithuania, during the month of May.
Here are four prospects who made an impression in the tournament and should be considered as potential picks in the 2024 and 2025 NBA Drafts.
Ruben Prey
6’11” Forward | 18.0 Years Old | Portugal | Joventut Badalona
Prey was one of the most anticipated prospects coming into the tournament and he definitely lived up to the hype, leading his team to victory and taking MVP honors in the process.
Listed at 6-foot-11, Prey wreaked havoc in the paint with his combination of size, standing reach and relentless motor, making an impact by finishing plays, crashing the offensive glass at a good rate (3.8 offensive rebounds per game) and protecting the rim, blocking 3.2 shots per contest.
While the perimeter game wasn't the focus for him at the tournament, he has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor, get to the rim and convert catch-and-shoot jumpers. He also makes an impact with his versatile defensive profile, as his combination of size and lateral mobility allows him to stay in front of smaller, quicker players.
Considering his dominance in this tournament, his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor and the tremendous level of energy he plays with, Prey is on the right track to get drafted in the first round of the 2024 Draft. It's easy to project Prey as an impact player at the NBA level, despite some uncertainty about his positional fit, as he's not exactly a true center with his skinny frame and his lack of lower body strength.
Tidjane Salaun
6’9” Wing | 17.5 Years Old | France | Cholet Basket
Salaun has been putting up impressive performances in the French U21 League for the past two years, and the ANGT qualifiers made it possible for scouts to see how he stacks up against other top-level players in Europe as he lead a Cholet team that proved to be as competitive as it was talented.
The first thing that stands out about Salaun is his polished scoring ability for his 6-foot-9 size, as he shows impressive fluidity with the ball in his hands to create space both for drives and pull-up jumpers. His scoring touch on all levels of the floor is impressive, as he's able to drain jumpers off-movement and finish difficult layups in the paint with a tremendous level of efficiency, as shown by the 20.5 points per game on 64% true shooting that he put up at Patras.
Defensively, Salaun contributes with his size and length in the perimeter by containing opposing wings. With his impressive tools and polished scoring arsenal, he is an intriguing, high-ceiling prospect from an NBA standpoint despite his lack of high-level experience. Could become the boom-or-bust prospect from the international ranks in 2024.
Johann Gruenloh
6’11” Big | 17.5 Years Old | Germany | RASTA Vechta
Gruenloh had a dominant performance in the paint, putting up 13 rebounds and 6.2 blocks per game during the tournament. Standing at 6-foot-11 with a strong frame and long arms, Gruenloh seems ready to take a leap to a better level of competition from a physical standpoint. Beyond his size and strength, he is also extremely coordinated, showing excellent footwork on the post which he utilizes in combination with his length and touch around the basket to create shots in the paint against defensive pressure.
His flashes of shooting potential were intriguing as well, as Gruenloh was able to space the floor in pick-and-pop scenarios, showing his touch from beyond the arc.
Overall, it was an impressive performance for Gruenloh who seems ready to contribute for a high-level team whether it is as a pro or in the college ranks. Despite his productivity in the event, Gruenloh did show some physical limitations in terms of quickness and explosiveness, and it's likely that his archetype as a traditional back-to-the-basket big won't be that enticing for NBA teams with him not being exactly an explosive rim protector. Continuing to develop those flashes as a spot-up shooter would likely do wonders for him in terms of draft stock.
Ben Saraf
6’6” Wing | 16.8 Years Old | Israel | Next Generation Team Patras
Saraf has the prototypical size and tools for a wing, standing at 6-foot-6 with long arms and an impressive level of open court athleticism, which allows him to attack the rim both in transition and in the half-court.
The 16-year-old's level of shot-making in the tournament was nothing short of impressive. In drives, he plays with a great level of pace and is effective at utilizing different dribble moves and changes of speeds to get to the rim. He's also a versatile shooter from the perimeter, where he uses his footwork and handling ability to create space for pull-up jumpers.
Despite playing one year up in age, Saraf was the clear-cut best player in the Next Generation team, a squad composed of some of the top talents in Europe who play for teams that didn't get a tournament invite. With his scoring instincts, positional size and athleticism, he is certainly on the right track to be a potential draft pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Other Prospects of Note:
While the Patras qualifiers weren't as loaded with talent as the Munich qualifiers were, there were multiple players, besides the ones previously mentioned in this article, who could contribute in the future for NBA, college or professional teams overseas. Some of the top prospects in attendance were:
Yohann Sissoko (ASVEL) was the final member of the All-Tournament Team. A 6-foot-4 guard who gets to the rim with his fluidity and handling ability, Sissoko also uses his gravity as a driver to manipulate defenders and create open shots for teammates. Sissoko attempted just three 3-point shots during the tournament: he will need to prove he can be effective as a shooter on higher volume before being considered as an NBA prospect.
Dwayne Aristode (Joventut) played one year up in age but was still productive in his role as an athletic and strong wing who can space the floor, attack the rim with power and make plays as a perimeter defender. An early prospect to include in the 2025 NBA Draft prospect watchlist with his optimal tools and his productivity in a low usage role.
Mathis Courbon (ASVEL) plays for Roanne in the French U21 league, but received a special invite to join ASVEL for this tournament. Offensive versatility is the name of the game for Courbon, who shows proficiency as a passer, shooter and slasher. His lack of one elite skill and his lack of contributions on defense might keep him from NBA consideration, but his optimal size for a wing and the multiple roles he could play on offense make him an intriguing player for the college and professional ranks overseas.
• Djiguiba Traore (Cholet) is a 6-foot-8 big who, despite his lack of elite size for the position, is impressively fluid to create his own shot in the post and to put the ball on the floor to attack in a straight line. Traore is not likely to become an NBA prospect unless he develops a jumper, but could be a high-level player in college or in the professional ranks overseas.
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