Stefan Vaaks | Scouting Report

Stefan Vaaks has already established himself as a key offensive weapon at the FIBA Europe Cup level. The 19-year-old Estonian guard from BC Kalev/Cramo has consistently impressed with his confidence and reliability, even when flying under the radar. This report breaks down Vaaks' strengths and weaknesses on both ends of the floor. -Ata Toprak Koşal

Stefan Vaaks 

Born: 2005 (May, 8th)

Nationality: Estonia

Height: 6'6" - 1.98cm

Team: BC Kalev/Cramo (FIBA Europe Cup | Estonian-Latvian League)

Position: Shooting Guard

Strong Hand: Right

Role: Ball-Handler, Shooter

Offense

• Reliable shooter in Europe Cup level. Shoots with high volume of attempting 6.9 three-pointers per game which is high for a 19-year-old player in the European competitions. Vaaks averaged 38.7% in the FIBA Europe Cup (GP 10), 33.3% in Estonian-Latvian League (GP 17). 
• Capable of making shots off cuts, off the dribble, or off screens. Has a deep bag of shooting tricks and pretty consistent. 
• Mid-range jumper is probably the biggest gap in his game. Rarely shoots midrange shots and that makes him less effective and versatile on PnR’s. 
• Has fluent handles, operating pick-and-rolls with confidence and good decision-making ability. Operated 18.8% of Kalev’s PnR possessions this season. (2.2 per game)
• The 6-foot-6 shooting guard has decent athleticism, utilizing his size well to finish layups through contact or draw fouls. Can make dunks.
• Despite playing more in ball-handler role, capable of finishing at the rim off cuts. A set play of Kalev that they often use is a good demonstration of Vaaks’ quickness and mobility in tight place.👇

• Fills the lanes well on transitions, leaks out at the right time and has the confidence to shoot threes on transition. 
• Already started to take the responsibility in the last seconds of quarters. Many times he had the change of shot last 4 seconds of the shot clock this season.

Defense

• Not very agile or mobile on defense, lacking lateral quickness. He can put pressure on ball handlers by using his chest on contact. However, he sometimes uses his hands or arms too much on contacts and commits fouls. 
• However, while defending small guards -especially Americans- displays lack of lateral quickness and gives the gap to shoot. As a result of that, TJ Shorts was predominate against Vaaks in some of the sequences in the latest FIBA Window.
• Bit sloppy while defending PnR’s and fails to navigate through screens.  
• Has good defensive awareness and positioning, allowing him to average 1.3 steals per game in the FIBA Europe Cup.

Stats

FIBA Europe Cup | 2024-25

Estonian-Latvian League | 2024-25