The U18 European Championship offers the opportunity to discover a multitude of talented international prospects and future NBA players. Now in the playoff tournament stage, let’s evaluate the best players in the quarter-final clash between Serbia and Israel.
Bogoljub Markovic I Big I Serbia I 6’1″
Averaging 17.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in five games, Markovic notched his first double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds (3 offensive). His performance was highlighted by his functional movement skills, touch from the free throw line (8 of 10), stationary play (three assists), second effort and lateral assist blocks.
Nikola Topic I Guard point guard I Serbia I 6’5″
Topic has shown versatility throughout the tournament and this match was no different. The big point guard finished with a line of 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes.
He buried two of his five 3-point attempts, one catch-and-shoot and the other a pick-and-roll pull-up, showed use of his size/strength development with a contact finish downhill and created for others from a live dribbler.
Defensively, his length and activity produced his most remarkable streak. First, enter the passing lane to make a steal, then remove the ball at the point of attack to score consecutive points.
Omer Mayer I Chief of the Guard I Israel I 6’2″
Despite the tough shooting game (4 of 13 overall, 0 of 7 from deep), Mayer’s moments of smooth shooting, live dribble play (four assists) and pick-and-roll feel continue to arouse intrigue.
Shachar Doron I Chief of the Guard I Israel I 6’3″
Israel’s leading scorer with 19 points per game, Doron paced the game by scoring what appeared to be a sneaky 20 points. He was an efficient scorer who primarily got his points through the flow of the offense, including making shots from multiple levels, and capitalizing at the free throw line by sinking all eight of his attempts.
Pavle Misic I Big I Serbia I 6’10”
There was nothing extraordinary about Misic’s outing with 14 points and five rebounds (three offensive), but he found success as a play-finisher under the rim and a physical presence against the smaller front line Israeli to produce his best match of the tournament.
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