David-Hein-Column
21/08/2014
David Hein's Eye on the Future
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Bebo, Humphries, Peno, Giles among top follow-ups after U17 Worlds

REGENSBURG (David Hein's Eye on the Future) - After five months of preparations, research and phone calls, I was finally in Dubai at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship. And before you knew it, it was all over and the United States had won their third straight title.

After watching individual games in Hamburg in 2010 and covering the 2012 spectacle in Kaunas, the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) once again proved to be a valuable addition to the summer schedule of youth basketball tournaments with the FIBA U19 World Championship existing since 1979 and played every two years (instead of every four years) since 2007.

The U17 worlds along with the qualifying U16 continental tournaments in the summer of the year before will, over the long haul, help to improve the general level of basketball. Players find out at an earlier age at what level they play - first at the U16 continental level and then if they qualify at the world level playing against world powers like the United States, Serbia, Australia...etc - that will get them playing at a higher level quicker.

Fighting off the humid heat in Dubai outside and the air conditioning draft inside the arenas, there was plenty of talent on display at the U17 Worlds. And now that it's over, I just wanted to run down a couple of the biggest names I will be watching over the next couple years - either until the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship or even the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship in one case.

These are not necessarily the best players from the tournament but the guys I am most interested in seeing how they develop.

Ahmed 'Bebo' Khalaf (Egypt)
This might be the biggest guy to dream on from the whole tournament. One of very few things I regret not doing was getting the reason why Khalaf had 'Bebo' on the back of his jersey. Anyhow, the 2.03m center is just 15 years old and is eligible to play at the U17 Worlds in 2016 as well. The former volleyball player has only been with basketball the past three years and has a great skill set to work with. He has a long wingspan and great anticipation for blocking shots (4.9 blocks per game) and getting rebounds at both ends while still being very, very raw offensively. 'Bebo' has only been working with Egyptian coach Branislav Jemc for six months and the veteran Serbian play-caller just smiled and winked when asked what his next plans are for the youngster. Jemc absolutely loves the kid and after first seeing Khalaf, he said he only needed to find 11 more players for the U17 team because 'Bebo' was a lock. I can't wait to see more of him in the future.

Isaac Humphries (Australia)
I know, I know. I've written about him already. So I will keep this short. Humphries is just 16 years old until January, and he's already got a great bag of tools to work with. I would really be surprised if we don't see him at Crete next summer for the U19 Worlds.

Rui Hachimura (Japan)
Another guy I have written about a lot. So I won't write much about him here either. But I wanted to mention that Japan have a big decision coming up with him - going the high school/college in the United States route or an academy and club in Europe? Plus, here's a question: why isn't he playing at the 2014 FIBA Asia U18 Championship? The Philippines are sending players there. China usually keep their teams together. But Japan has no precedent and Hachimura would benefit greatly from getting to play against the 18-year-olds in Asia.

Jolo Mendoza (Philippines)
Jolo is listed at 1.75m which might be generous. But he's got a huge heart and isn't afraid to attack players bigger than him - which means just about everybody. He has an impressive knack for getting his shot off despite his size disadvantage. It would seem that he could play high school and college in the United States with his skills. It's kind of disappointing that him and the Nieto twins - Matt and Mike - aren't playing for Philippines at the FIBA Asia U18s.

Stefan Peno (Serbia)
People were so high on Peno early on when he moved from Serbia to Spain to play for Barcelona. He was then ripped down and people questioned him. Perhaps his stock was so low by the time I finally saw him, but he became a personal cheeseball during his performance at the 2014 Albert Schweitzer Tournament (AST). And watching him at the U18 European Championship and then the FIBA U17 Worlds, it was clear, you're going to get a bone-headed play or two from the 17-year-old. But… you're also going to see flashes of brilliance from him. And that makes it worth the price of admission to watch him. Sure, he tries the flashy play instead of the fundamental play, but Peno seems to me like a player who flourishes in the spotlight and likes big games.

Harry Giles (USA)
There were so many big time talents for the United States team, it seems unfair to single out one. But I am totally intrigued by this kid. Especially watching him play and do all the things he did in Dubai and knowing that he's only 11 months removed from a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his knee. Scary stuff really how good he can be. He will be a great one to follow down the road.

David Hein

FIBA

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David Hein

David Hein

Walk into the media tribune of any major basketball event and there's a good chance you will come across David Hein. Having covered dozens of FIBA events, including numerous women's and youth events, there are few players Dave doesn't know about, and few players who don't know him. His sporting curiosity means he is always looking to unearth something new and a little bit special. David Hein's Eye on the Future is a weekly column digging out the freshest basketball talent worldwide and assessing what the basketball landscape will look like a couple of years down the line.