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          Which players from FIBA's U16 events are on the NBA draft radar?

          The U16 level includes several standouts with a chance to one day make an NBA impact. Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images
          • Mike SchmitzSep 7, 2021, 08:00 AM ET

          The under-16 level is where we've first evaluated most of the top international prospects over the last decade or so. Whether 2021 draft picks such as Usman Garuba and Alperen Sengun, 2020 prospects including Deni Avdija and Killian Hayes or childhood phenoms like Luka Doncic, international prospects at age 16 are already on the radars of a majority of NBA scouts, who gauge how they perform within their age group while periodically checking in on their development with their respective club teams after that.

          With that in mind, we traveled to Cairo, Egypt, Sofia, Bulgaria, Novi Sad, Serbia and Skopje, North Macedonia to scout under-16 prospects from 26 different countries worldwide. Given the COVID-19 global pandemic, heralded national team programs such as Spain pulled out of its competition, while the U16 African Championship was missing powerhouse West African countries like Nigeria and Senegal. Even so, there were at least 11 prospects we scouted that have a chance to emerge as legitimate NBA hopefuls should they continue to develop as expected.

          1. Egor Demin | 6-7 | Guard | Russia | Real Madrid | Birth year: 2006

          Despite playing up a year at age 15, Demin shined as one of the top long-term prospects we saw abroad. Standing 6-foot-7 with long arms, big feet and clear growth potential, the Russian guard has ideal size for a modern playmaker and the type of focus, intensity and poise you look for in an international prospect. The leader of a U16 team that finished 3-2, Demin was constantly talking defensively and directing traffic offensively, showcasing a feel for the game and maturity you rarely see from a player his age outside of young phenoms like Doncic.

          Despite coming off the bench early in the tournament, Demin finished the U16s with per-40-minute averages of 21.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.8 steals while playing a healthy dose of point guard. He might not have the burst or vertical explosion of a traditional lead guard, but his size allows him to see over the top of the defense to make most of the necessary reads, and his overall court sense helps him control the game when the ball is in his hands. Even if he doesn't ultimately play the point guard position, he'll have more than ample size to operate as a floor-spacing, shot-creating wing.

          Although a bit on the streaky side (30% from 3), Demin has all the makings of a big-time shotmaker. He has excellent balance and touch -- both off the catch and off the bounce -- and has no shortage of confidence, knocking down 13 triples in just 116 minutes with several coming from beyond the NBA line. On top of his passing and shooting, he's a competitive defender with a clear "care" factor on that end of the floor.

          There hasn't been a great track record for Russian prospects over the last decade or so, yet Demin figures to buck that trend, in part because he's agreed to a six-year deal with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. Regarded by some as the best Russian prospect since Andrei Kirilenko, expect to hear a lot more from Demin in the future, as he's clearly one of the best NBA prospects in his 2006 class.

          2. Ruben Prey | 6-9 | Center | Portugal | Joventut Badalona | 2005

          Prey made an emphatic introduction to NBA scouts with his play in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he averaged a remarkable 17 points, 18.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 5.3 blocks in 32.2 minutes over four games, standing out as the best big man prospect we evaluated. Prey is the only player in FIBA history to concurrently reach those marks.

          Although very light at this stage with a narrow waist and skinny legs, Prey is highly intriguing physically, standing 6-9 with huge hands, long arms, impressive agility and quite a bit of untapped athletic and growth potential. Aside from his length, what stood out most about Prey was his combination of hands, touch, defensive instincts and feel. Prey has outstanding timing around the rim as a shot-blocker, which figures to be his initial value-add at the highest level. On top of that, Prey catches virtually every pass thrown his way and has the ability to finish from all different angles with either hand, despite not being the most explosive leaper on the floor. He sees the floor well and has projectable shooting mechanics that should allow him to step out and shoot 3s with consistency -- he's a career 28% on 57 attempts.

          Prey is still growing into his body and can improve his consistency on both ends of the floor. It also remains to be seen if he will sprout from 6-9 to 7-1 like fellow Portuguese big Neemias Queta did after I first saw him as a 17-year-old. Looking back at where Queta was around this age compared to where Prey is, it's fair to say that Prey is further along in terms of his offensive polish and defensive instincts. On top of all that, Prey, who grew up in Portugal, is in an excellent development situation with Joventut, one of the best programs in all of Spain and one that emphasizes giving prospects the opportunity to play through mistakes. Simply put, Prey looked the part of a future NBA big man, but must continue to progress physically.

          3. Demir Dogan | 6-8 | Forward | Turkey | Besiktas | 2006

          The 15-year-old Dogan proved why he's considered one of the top prospects in all of Turkey with his play in Novi Sad, averaging 16.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.4 blocks and 1.4 steals in 33.1 minutes while playing up a year. Dogan has clear physical upside standing close to 6-9 in shoes with big hands and feet, long arms, and a lean yet projectable frame that should fill out in time. Reminiscent of a young Aleksej Pokusevski physically (all arms and legs), Dogan figures to get to at least 6-10 or 6-11 by the time he reaches his physical peak.

          As a player, Dogan is a Swiss-Army-knife prospect who does most of his damage at the four, either pushing aggressively in transition, playing out of the post or attacking closeouts with his long strides. He's a capable passer who also brings considerable intensity and versatility on the defensive end of the floor, rotating for blocks and making plays in the passing lanes thanks to his length and instincts. Dogan's clear swing skill is his shooting, as he knocked down just 3-of-18 3s in five games and could stand to fine-tune his mechanics. Should he continue to improve his shooting and passing, Dogan could evolve into a Deni Avdija-caliber prospect as a versatile forward who can push in transition, straight-line drive, facilitate and defend a few positions, even if he's not as good a facilitator as Avdija was at this stage. He'll have no shortage of opportunities to prove himself, as his club, Besiktas, is known for showcasing young prospects by allowing them to play big minutes at the pro level -- like we saw from Sengun.

          4. Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 | Wing | France | ASVEL | 2005

          Risacher shined as the top prospect on a strong U16 France team given his physical upside at 6-8, shooting potential and quiet toughness on the defensive end. Basketball is in his blood -- his father, Stephane Risacher, won a silver medal with France in the 2000 Olympics. Risacher also played over 200 games in the Spanish ACB and almost 100 games in the Euroleague. The 16-year-old Risacher plays like the son of a longtime pro, as he brings no shortage of confidence along with a competitive edge that counters his light frame. Despite weighing no more than 180 pounds, Risacher finished the tournament averaging 12.1 rebounds, 6.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per 40 minutes on a France team that went undefeated against Russia, Lithuania and Romania.

          Offensively, Risacher projects as a floor-spacing wing given his sound shooting mechanics and touch. He knocked down just 4 of 14 triples in Skopje and can stand to turn his jumper into more of a consistent weapon, but that appears to be his offensive superpower at the next level. He's also comfortable attacking the rim in a straight line, not shying away from contact in the process. While he may not yet be the shiftiest ball handler, given his growth potential, shooting foundation, and defensive toughness, along with the NBA's need for floor-spacing wings who can defend, Risacher is a clear NBA prospect who should be firmly on the radar over the next few years. He'll be developing with Tony Parker's French club, ASVEL in Lyon, France.

          5. Martin Kalu | 6-5 | Guard | Germany | Bayern Munich | 2005

          Kalu stole the show in Sofia, Bulgaria, exploding for a remarkable 27 points per game in just 28.8 minutes and becoming just the second player in tournament history to reach such a scoring mark. I sat courtside as Kalu went for 28 points in the first half alone against host Bulgaria (36 on the game), knocking down a barrage of on-the-move 3s, leaping off the floor for dunks in transition and showing a level of confidence you don't always see from 16-year-olds. Born in Germany to a Nigerian father and Polish mother, Kalu looks the part of a high-major American guard, sharing some similarities to newly anointed No. 1 high school prospect Shaedon Sharpe at around 6-5 with a strong 205-pound frame, long arms and impressive bounce. Kalu led the entire U16s in PER at 46.4 (second-best ever behind Killian Tillie in 2014) while making 14 of his 28 triples out of a variety of different actions.

          On one hand, the NCAA has no shortage of scoring guards in Kalu's mold, as his straight-line power and explosive leaping ability stand out more in Europe than in the U.S. He also can refine his ball-handling, decision making and defensive consistency. A career 29.2% shooter from 3 (120 attempts) and 53% from the free throw line (99 attempts), it's fair to wonder if he just got video game hot over the course of four games. But with all that said, Kalu solidified himself as a clear NBA prospect with his shot-making ability, powerful downhill attacks, rim-rattling dunks and glimpses of potential defensively.

          Kalu agreed to a long-term deal with Bayern Munich, where NBA scouts will surely spend time over the next few years getting to know the scoring guard.

          6. Alexander Sarr | 6-11 | Center | France | Overtime Elite | 2005

          From a physical perspective, Sarr -- the younger brother of former Wake Forest and Kentucky big man Olivier Sarr -- is everything teams look for in an NBA center. Standing around 6-11 with wide shoulders, long arms, a projectable frame and outstanding agility, Sarr moves like a young Jaxson Hayes. He changes ends gracefully, glides on the floor and can finish above the rim with ease. Sarr put his stellar tools to good use in Skopje, North Macedonia, averaging 27.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.5 blocks per 40 minutes. He caught a handful of lobs thanks to his fluidity and quick leaping, and projects as a versatile defender at the highest level given his ability to step out and switch and protect the rim in spurts.

          While he has solid shooting mechanics for his size, Sarr's inconsistency in the feel department showed at times on both ends of the floor. He plays a sped-up style, resembling former Texas big man Kai Jones at times, both in terms of how incredibly fluid he is along with his 2-to-9 assist to turnover ratio and fluctuating defensive discipline. Learning how to play in a crowd offensively, stay down on shot fakes defensively, and making the right reads as a passer will go a long way in helping Sarr maximize his potential.

          The 16-year-old will be a highly interesting case study for Overtime Elite, as it's not often you see teenagers leave a program like Real Madrid -- by my estimation the best youth development program outside of the United States.

          7. Declan Duru | 6-8 | Forward | Germany | Real Madrid | 2007

          Although he wasn't overly productive at the U16s, the 14-year-old German-Nigerian forward Duru was one of the more intriguing long-term prospects to take the floor at the event. Playing two years up, Duru, who was born in Germany to Nigerian parents, averaged 14.3 points and 11.6 rebounds per 40 minutes on a loaded German team. For reference, Usman Garuba -- who shares some physical similarities -- won tournament MVP at the 2016 U16s at 14 years old, averaging 22.5 points, 17.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 steals and 3.9 blocks per 40 minutes.

          The majority of Duru's intrigue revolves around his physical tools at 6-8 with a huge standing reach, a strong frame and solid all-around agility, which, along with his sound positional handle, has allowed him to put up big numbers at the youth levels with Real Madrid. Already generating considerable buzz in Europe, it will be interesting to see how Duru's skill level -- particularly his shooting (41% from the free throw line) -- evolves, as that will play a key role in his NBA chances. But Duru's 17-point, 13-rebound showing in a win over Croatia, highlighted by a poster dunk off a baseline drive, was enough to suggest that he'll elicit NBA intrigue at the coveted combo forward spot. Likely in more of a featured role, I'd expect Duru to truly break out at next summer's U16 European Championships.

          8. Killian Malwaya | 6-6 | Guard | France | ASVEL | 2005

          Considered one of the better long-term prospects in France entering the tournament, Malwaya showed both what makes him effective at the youth levels and where he can still improve to separate himself from the glut of guards in his mold in the States. Malwaya led France in scoring at 13.4 points in just 21.4 minutes per game, but it's his defensive toughness that could ultimately be his calling card should he make it to the highest level. While not overly long, Malwaya is quick and competitive with great balance, showing the ability to sit down and slide against any perimeter position. How Malwaya develops offensively will be the determining factor in his NBA upside. He's a relentless downhill driver with a great first step and little fear of physicality. He can also make most basic reads in the halfcourt.

          Malwaya is still improving his floor game as he's more of a slashing guard than a true combo. On top of that, he doesn't have the most fluid jumper (even if improved) and will likely have an adjustment to make when he starts seeing more length and athleticism as the competition stiffens throughout his career. Malwaya might not be the can't-miss NBA prospect he was labeled in France as a young teen, but he has a baseline toughness, defense, competitive spirit and relentlessness that will keep him on the NBA radar as he develops with ASVEL.

          9. Ladji Coulibaly | 6-9 | Center | Mali | Manresa | 2006

          I was able to evaluate players from Mali, Chad, Egypt and Algeria over the course of three days in Cairo, Egypt, and Coulibaly proved to be the most enticing long-term prospect to take the floor. While he may not have been the most outwardly productive player on a loaded Mali team that was 7-0 before falling to Egypt in the gold-medal game, Coulibaly offers the best combination of physical tools, defensive instincts, touch and youth, as he won't turn 16 until July 15th. He also ranked second in defensive rating, third in rebounds per 40 minutes and fourth in PER in the seven-team tournament.

          Coulibaly stands around 6-9 with a tremendous frame that still has room to fill out, big hands, long arms, and outstanding agility that allows him to change ends, roll to the rim gracefully, and step out and switch onto the perimeter. The defensive end is where Coulibaly made his presence felt most, as he collected 20 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.7 blocks per 40 minutes over the course of eight games.

          Despite shooting just 55% from the free throw line, Coulibaly has very sound shooting mechanics and a solid understanding of who he is as a player, even consistently making long outlet passes that suggest he has considerable upside as a passer. He doesn't have the best feel for how to finish with finesse in a crowd, isn't all that gifted of a ball handler on the perimeter, and would surely be more enticing if he were to grow to 6-11 or 7-0, given that his best long-term position appears to be center. But even if he doesn't grow, Coulibaly could potentially play a Serge Ibaka-type role if his shooting continues to evolve, when factoring in his ability to switch defensively and protect the rim at a high level. Coulibaly has a lot of the ingredients you look for in a young big, and he's in a solid developmental situation already with Manresa in Spain.

          10. Malick Diallo | 6-9 | Power Forward/Center | Mali | Juan Diego High School (UT) | 2005

          Diallo was far and away the most dominant player to take the floor in Cairo, averaging a remarkable 24.3 points, 21.3 rebounds, 6 assists, 5.0 steals and 3.2 blocks per 40 minutes while posting a tournament best 46.7 PER. While part of that stellar production is a product of Diallo's mature frame and early success against teams like Gabon (28-13) and Uganda (32-17), Diallo does have more to his game than most early-bloomer bruisers who shine at this level.

          Diallo, who was born in Mali yet is a class of 2024 recruit at Juan Diego High School in Utah, is quite skilled for a player with his frame, showing the ability to throw decisive, forceful outlet passes, push the ball himself, and spray dimes out to shooters in the halfcourt. He's more powerful than vertically explosive and isn't overly quick at around 6-9, but he's crafty maneuvering through tight spaces and shows some potential as a ball handler.

          While more of a paint scorer right now, Diallo is a good free throw shooter and could ultimately develop into a reliable threat from beyond the arc. On top of that, he's a defensive playmaker thanks to his length, anticipation and motor on the glass. Although not a traditional rim protector or switch defender, he has a solid instinctual foundation to build on. If Diallo can translate his FIBA success to high school basketball and eventually the NCAA, expect him to work his way into the databases of NBA scouts.

          11. Joshua Bonga | 6-4 | Guard | Germany | Zalgiris | 2005

          Joshua Bonga, the younger brother of Toronto Raptors forward Isaac Bonga, made his debut to NBA scouts averaging an impressive 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 29.5 minutes over the course of four games in Sofia for powerhouse Germany. The 16-year-old earned mixed reviews amongst scouts given his tendency to overdribble or attack the rim without a plan at times, but he's clearly a talent worth monitoring with his versatility and growth potential given Isaac's size at 6-9.

          While he still has room to improve his floor game if he hopes to be a true lead guard, Bonga is impactful as a fill-in-the-gaps guard as he can make instinctual passes in transition, knock down a standstill 3, get downhill to his right hand, execute basic kick-out and drop-off reads, defend in a pinch and rebound his position. He was at his best when he wasn't trying to do too much, relying more on making the simple play than the home run -- evidenced by his 4.0 assists to 4.8 turnovers per game.

          Bonga recently signed with Lithuanian power Zalgiris, where he'll have a great opportunity to learn more of a ball-moving style than he played in Sofia, fine-tune his jumper (31% from 3) and left hand, while gaining experience in a basketball-rich country. Should he add another few inches, Bonga becomes much more intriguing from an NBA perspective as he won't have to be forced into a point guard role, allowing him to play to his strengths.

          Mike Schmitz is an NBA Draft expert and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams.