Notable Turkish prospects from born in 2002 to 2005 #3

I’m Kuzey, 19. I’ve been writing about basketball since I was 9. I have been working in Eurosport Turkey for the last 1,5 years. I have written on various sites and magazines before. I’ve been working as a freelance scout for three years. I worked as a consultant. I have interviewed dozens of prospects such as Theo Maledon, Deni Avdija, Henri Drell, Aleksej Pokusevski, Arturs Kurucs, Yves Pons and dozens of notable basketball people such as Luis Scola, Xavi Pascual, Jonathan Givony, Dimitris Itoudis, Sasa Obradovic, Joan Plaza, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Derrick Williams. I write an article every day. I live in Turkey, I go to all the Euroleague and Youth League games. My main areas are all of age group on Africa and from U12 to U20 European and NCAA. MY BIGGEST GOAL IS SCOUTING! Anyway, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and feel free to DM!

I started a new series. I will write about two or three interesting Turkish prospects until October 5. These are not very detailed reports, just a preview, detailed with background, coming in December.

Hasan Efe Uzun — Darüşşafaka Doğuş — Guard — born in 2003

Standing 6-foot-2 with an improving 180-pound frame and near 6-foot-4 wingspan, Hasan Efe Uzun has good size and frame for his age and position in my opinion. I think his upper body strong, strong arms, stiff core muscles, and wide shoulders. From his lower body window, quick footwork, average vertical pop, good linear and lateral movements stand out in my opinion. He is not a good athlete. Showing some flashes on smooth athlectisim package but not consistent, also, I can say that clearly he is not an explosive athlete. Lack of elite vertical pop and feeling for the game hurt his stock here. A well-rounded lead guard, HEU is a primary handler and passer, secondary scorer in my opinion. His great defensive ballhandling ability makes him quick and his skill-set to rise and fire exactly out of a variety of situations helped him keep the intensity on opposing defender for a team that thrived under his leadership. He excels at maintaining a live dribble in isolation or pick and roll situations. Hasan has a good passing package — sees things early and reacts well, also, showing some crafty moves like drive-and-dish, kick out, no look, and long lobs. HEU’s refined footwork allows him to create his jumper, also, helps him in the paint and he can maneuver up and under to finish around the basket. As a shooter, he is not a great creator for himself but an average spot-up shooter in my opinion. Has to learn play as a cutter. Lack of killer-scoring instincts and high feelings for the game hurt him on the offensive end in my opinion. Also, lack of elite physical tools hurt his floaters and finishes. I think Hasan is a high-motor defender who works hard to fight over on ball screens. At times, Uzun struggles in keeping up against quicker point guards. I would like to see him more around the perimeter. Because his BBIQ, reacts timing, and eye-hand coordination may make him a good shield protector. As an off-ball defender, Hasan runs around the screen well but needs balance. Sometimes, he does unnecessary help defenses. I think he has a good ceiling around the EuroCup.

Özgür Cengiz — Gelişim Koleji — Point Guard — born in 2005

Özgür Cengiz has good size for a 15 years old European point guard in my opinion. His upper body base is good. Long arms, wide shoulders, stiff chests but has a lot of room to get stronger of course. From his lower body window, hip mobility and quick footwork stand out. He is not a great athlete both vertically and laterally but his quick footwork with nice hip mobility helps him here. I think ÖC’s offensive game package is predicated on his ability to use his quickness with the ball to make things happen in the open floor and using shots. He can shots all around the court with a smooth release. I think that’s what makes Özgür a valuable prospect. Cengiz has the shooting confidence that many young basketball players lack in Turkey. ÖC does not use unnecessary shots, he can play as a catch-and-shooter and movement shooter from the hill and right-wings very well. His lack of power negatively affects his release and arc on his shot, but generally, ÖC promising aggressive shooter. He can create his own shot in the mid-range too. Needs add weapons to his arsenal. I mean, he is not a consistent finisher. Can’t finish in traffic, take contact, and take foul many times but not consistent. Has to learn play as a cutter on off-ball motions in my opinion. He can drive his right very well, and showing some hesitations before going to the basket. Has soft touch, knows how to play pick-and-roll games. As a passer, he is just a read & reacts player. Hasn’t creativity or shiftiness. Reliable ballhandler. Defensively, Özgür has good footwork to defend the PGs and SGs. He needs to improve on his physicality and lateral quickness in stopping penetration. He does the best things on the defensive end with deflections. I can say that clearly, he is the king of deflections for his age group. Quick, very quick hands, has a great BBIQ, reacts timing, and awarenesses. For now, I think his ceiling around the Basketball Champions League level because he can shot, can defend, and has a good BBIQ. But needs weapons on his arsenal, has a lot of room to get stronger, and has to learn dominate the game as a scorer in my opinion.