A Week in Istanbul: Where European Prospects Shine
This past week, Istanbul became the stage for some of Europe's most intriguing young prospects, with high-level matchups in both the EuroLeague and EuroCup. Hugo Gonzalez made the most of Real Madrid’s double-game week, setting a new career-high in the EuroLeague, while Denis Badalau saw his longest stint in the EuroCup so far. Meanwhile, promising Turkish talents Faruk Biberovic and Ege Demir continued to make strides in their respective leagues, showing flashes of their potential. Here’s a breakdown of their performances and what stood out on the court. - Ata Toprak Koşal
Hugo Gonzalez
vs Anadolu Efes & Fenerbahce
Hugo Gonzalez arrived in Istanbul for a challenging double-game week, where he faced Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe in the EuroLeague. Just one day before his birthday, Hugo set a new career-high in the EuroLeague, scoring 11 points against Efes. This performance demonstrated his growing confidence and skill on the court. In addition to his scoring, he played a season-high 20 minutes in the game. Prior to this visit to Istanbul, his standout performance of the season came in December when he posted 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists against Río Breogán in the ACB.
Scouting Notes
With the absence of Musa due to an early injury in the first quarter, coach Chus Mateo put Hugo Gonzalez in. He wasted no time making an impact, confidently knocking down a three-pointer immediately after entering the game against Efes. Throughout the game, he primarily played as a stationary shooter in the corners and an athletic finisher for Madrid. His composure behind the arc was evident, as he remained ready to shoot and showed trust in his shot. Additionally, he actively followed rebounds, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities with putbacks (4thQ / 4:45).
Madrid mostly found him on kick-out passes, and he converted 40% (2/5) of his three-point attempts across both games. His ability to create space was notable, particularly when he used a smart shot fake to evade a defender before sinking a three-pointer just before halftime (vsEfes - 2nd / 0:05). Against Fenerbahce, he demonstrated utilizing an euro-step move to sneak into tight spaces and draw fouls at the rim (2ndQ / 8:05). His awareness of help defenses was also on display, as he found open looks through well-timed cuts and even threw down a powerful dunk off one of them (2ndQ / 7:00).
Defensively, Gonzalez displayed physicality overall. However, he struggles defending post-up plays were apparent, as Fenerbahce targeted him three times in the low post and scored on each attempt. He did well against ball-handlers but sometimes struggled to navigate through screens, especially against strong bigs like Daniel Oturu. Therefore, he appears to lack spatial awareness, as he tends to focus more on the ball and loses track of what’s happening around him. Despite some shortcomings, his performance in Istanbul showcased his offensive versatility and highlighted key areas for improvement on the defensive end.
Impressions
Hugo displayed eagerness to play and was a constant source of energy for the team. He was also active on the bench, frequently standing to support his teammates, shouting encouragement like “Come on, guys!” when everybody down during the Fenerbahce game. His demeanor showed the reflexes of a typical Spanish guard: high basketball IQ, situational awareness, and the ability to react effectively in key moments.
Denis Badalau
vs Besiktas (EuroCup)
2006-born Romanian played over 15 mins for the first time in the EuroCup this season and Badalau found his career-high 7 points against Besiktas.
Live Game Notes
Badalau utilizes quick footwork and effective jab steps to shake off defenders. With solid ball-handling skills, he creates space for his shot inside and finishes with balance, even against stronger defenders and through contact. In transition offense, he has shown the ability to knock down three-pointers, setting his feet well and maintaining balance. Additionally, he has demonstrated floor-stretching ability, handling the ball and playing face-to-face with defenders.
Defensively, Denis matched up against opposing bigs in certain sequences and effectively denied post plays, but he struggles physically at that level. When guarding smaller players, his long arms help him disrupt ball-handlers, yet his lack of lateral quickness and agility makes him vulnerable in one-on-one situations, sometimes appearing sluggish on defense.
Faruk Biberovic
Turkey II (TBL)
Faruk Biberovic, born in 2005, has started delivering strong performances in Turkey's 2nd Division this season, impressing with his versatility on the court. Following his older brother Tarik’s footsteps, Faruk is establishing himself in Turkish basketball. Last week, even though he scored 13 points in a good performance against leaders Erokspor, he couldn't stop his team from losing in overtime.
On the offensive end, Biberovic moves well in the paint, showing solid footwork and effectively using reverse moves near the baseline. His soft touch allows him to finish smoothly at the rim, and he can also convert hook shots and floaters when positioned farther out. He uses his body well, especially his shoulders, to create space and drive defenders toward the rim. While he struggles against stronger bigs at the five, his mobility helps him find ways to score.
A smart decision-maker, he reads the game well, facilitates from the top of the key, and doesn’t hesitate to shoot. Faruk is a highly reliable shooter, hitting 51.1% from three on 2.1 attempts per game, scoring off pop-outs, mid-range jumpers, and pull-ups at the elbow. He is also comfortable shooting off the dribble. However, he rarely sets effective screens, often slipping or popping out instead, which may be a result of his team’s system rather than a personal limitation.
In defense, he can contest three-point shots with his size but struggles on close-outs, lacking the lateral quickness to stay in front of quicker players. In the low post, he often gets pushed toward the rim, though this seems more due to hesitation than pure physical limitations—he avoids putting his chest into opponents. This contrasts with Faruk's offensive game, where he embraces contact. On the positive side, he has quick hands and can occasionally disrupt post-ups with steals.
Overall, Faruk has a strong offensive skill set but remains inefficient on the defensive end, with plenty of room for improvement.
Ege Demir
Turkey I (BSL)
Standing 6-foot-10 with a strong frame, Ege's athleticism and physical tools make him an exciting prospect. Having started basketball late, he continues learning the game on the court daily. After playing in the youth league and 2nd division in Turkey, Ege has been playing regularly in the 1st Division for the last two seasons.
Turkish-Nigerian center utilizes his size effectively, setting strong screens and boxing out well, which contributes to his 5.5 rebounds per game in just 17 minutes this season. His decent athleticism allows him to move well in tight spaces, making him quick to roll or slip after pick-and-rolls, where he finishes strong at the rim with dunks and alley-oops. Defensively, he protects the rim well, averaging 1.2 blocks per game, while opponents shoot just 46.3% at the rim when he’s on the court. Offensively, he excels in rolls and cuts, adding 2.2 points per game from rolls and 1.1 points per game from cuts this season.
However, Demir relies too much on his right hand, limiting his ability to finish with versatility around the rim. His free-throw shooting is also a concern, converting just 38.1% (8/21) of his attempts so far. While his basketball IQ is improving, particularly in baseline defense, he still needs to develop better awareness in help-side defense and positioning. Additionally, he struggles in the open court, often slow to recover after hedging on pick-and-rolls and lacking fluidity when running the floor.
