BWB Global Camp: Scouting Notes
BWB Global Camp: Scouting Notes
By Meshu Negga
The ball got bouncing early on All-Star Friday morning, as all levels of NBA staff, personnel, and media filed into the Utah Jazz practice facility to look at some of the most talented prospects from across the globe. The 7th annual BWB Global camp, comprised of the top 40 international male prospects, took place in Salt Lake City as part of the 2023 NBA All-Star events. The NBA / FIBA did a fantastic job not only identifying talented individuals but high character, team-first players who compete and play the right way.
This 3-day camp consisted of a player combine, daily skill development, practices and 5v5 games, and more. Here are some of the guys who stood out during this camp to me:
Churchill Abass (Nigeria) | Camp All-Star 6’8
243lb | PF/C | 7’2 Wingspan | 38” Vertical
Churchill Abass is the definition of a power forward. Standing at 6’8, 243lb, his frame seems to be all muscle and he used every bit of his physical tools this weekend to be impactful. Churchill did most of his damage around the paint, initiating and playing through contact effectively. He was keen to carving out space, whether to gain a rebounding position or to keep his man sealed, showing a target with his chest/hands, and making a decisive action toward the rim. His counters and post moves can improve in time, but the physicality, playing strong with two hands & two feet, made him a load to deal with. His athleticism and length helped him high-point many balls off the rim, and those same tools mixed with a good feel defensively, allowed him to play in drop coverage with some success. Abass’s motor and physical gifts can allow him to play “small-ball” 5 and would pair well with a stretch 4 next to him.
Matas Buzelis (Lithuania) | Team Champion, Camp MVP & All-Star
6’9 | 185lb | F | 6’10.25 Wingspan | 35.5” Vertical
Matas (& Miro Little) missed the first day of the camp due to their original team’s (Sunrise Christian) schedule of home games played Thursday & Friday, but looked ready to go early Saturday morning. Matas took the warmups and skill development portion seriously, moving with purpose and precision, showing a pro-like approach to what he easily could’ve dismissed. Measuring in at 6’9 185lb, his fluidity, skillset, and feel for the game oozed with every movement made. His body still needs to physically fill out, but he looks the part of the versatile, skilled forward NBA teams love and came to watch. Offensively, his game doesn’t have many holes. Although his shot wasn’t falling at a high rate, Matas showed his ability to get good looks, creating off the bounce for himself or others, using a sure handle and pace/burst to get by defenders. Defensively, you can see the instincts and length help him be impactful here. Recording lane agility & 3/4 sprint that competes with the guards in attendance, his athleticism pops on block attempts and rebounds. Matas helped his team win the overall championship, while also being selected as the camp MVP and named 1 of the 12 to the camp All-Star team.
Elliot Cadeau (Sweden) | Team Champion & Camp All-Star
6’0.25 | 171lb | PG | 6’2 Wingspan | 41.5” Vertical
Cadeau was the ultimate creator this weekend. The future UNC point guard had it on display; a tight handle, pace, manipulation of defenses, vision, and on-time on-target passes, were all on an elite level. He led all campers in athletic measurements (standing/max vert, lane agility & 3/4 sprint) and used these physical abilities to get to any spot on the floor. Cadeau constantly drew secondary help from his dribble penetration and with all the attention drawn, he made the right reads. Throwing soft lobs and perfect dump-offs to his bigs or whipping passes to the corners & wings with either hand, Elliot ultimately made the game easier for his teammates. He was able to create shots for himself but looked to deliberately get his others involved. His effort defensively was there, as he was engaged and moved with intention on this end. This weekend just showed why he’s one of the top point guard prospects at his age.
Pacome Dadiet (France) | Camp All-Star
6’7.5 | 210lb | F | 6’9 Wingspan | 33” Vertical
This high motor, energy/effort wing, was all over the floor during this camp. With positional size and a sturdy build, Pacome is the type of player every successful team needs, one who makes winning plays creating or closing out possessions. It started defensively for me, as he showed a level of toughness and versatility here. His good feet and strength let him ballhawk handlers on the perimeter, helping him contain the dribble and limit penetration. He was great at grabbing defensive rebounds and initiating the offense by pushing the ball with a decent handle and long strides to maneuver from end to end. Offensively, as he excelled when in the open court, getting downhill and even showing some upside as an additional handler/self-creator. His overall offensive skillset needs to be polished, but if his motor is any indication of his work ethic, Pacome is someone to monitor as his stock will only rise.
Aday Mara Gomez (Spain) | Camp All-Star
7’2 | 242lb | C | 7’6.75 Wingspan | 33” Vertical
One of the more skilled 7-ft prospects from across the globe, Aday showed his two-way impact on the game soon as he stepped on the floor. Physically, he’s got great mobility and dexterity for his size, being able to plant and change directions, as well as having a great frame to add/carry some muscle. That mobility along with plus feel, allows him to maneuver outside the paint; diving to the basket from the perimeter, finishing with a soft touch shot in PNR actions and even flashing an ability to attack another big off the bounce. Aday was active on the glass and seemed to get his hands on a lot of balls, either getting blocks or changing shots. When switched guarding out on the perimeter, he moved his feet well enough and used his length to get a block on a 3pt attempt as well as one recovering from a blow-by. There are areas of improvement but still a lot to be excited about with Aday’s size and game on display during this camp.
Motiejus Krivas (Lithuania) | Team Champion & Camp All-Star
7’0.75 | 256lb | 7’5 Wingspan | 33” Vertical
One of the best and most productive bigs at the BWB Global camp. Krivas is a traditional big who doesn’t mind playing around the paint with his back to the basket. Playing strong and physical, he possesses great footwork and patience to get high-percentage shots for himself in an array of ways. He powered right through defenders on the block, used good feel to spin off them or displayed counter moves to get a clean look and finish with either hand. Krivas isn’t necessarily an athlete, but he proved to be quick with his second jump and kept many balls alive on the offensive glass by playing on his toes. Defensively, he’s talkative and engaged. There may be some improvements needed guarding in space, but he gives great effort and uses his length to be effective here. Krivas did a great job playing to his advantage and helping his team go 3-0.
Miro Little (Finland) | Camp All-Star
6’2 | 195lb | 6’7 Wingspan | 33.25” Vertical
Miro Little, like Matas, missed Friday’s game due to his high school team’s schedule but did not miss a beat joining the group Saturday morning, going game speed with every direction ordered of him. With great feel and skill, he showed his capability of playing well both on and off the ball. Early in gameplay, he made good reads and decisions out of PNR; keeping defenders on his hip, probing, attacking, and setting his teammates up. His controlled pace and strength on his dribble penetration, put constant pressure on the rim, getting in the paint often. Off-ball, he was dialed in from deep, capitalizing on many catch & shoot 3’s. His production spilled over to the defensive end, where his physical tools and want-to attitude helped his team get stops and close out possessions with defensive rebounds. Miro was able to show the audience in attendance, he can do a little bit of everything.
Modou Fall Thiam (Senegal) | Camp All-Star
6’3.75 | 176lb | 6’9.75 Wingspan | 38” Vertical
Modou is a wiry 2-guard with sneaky athleticism. His game may seem unassuming, but he is a quiet assassin. Beating people out in the open court, slashing to the basket from the perimeter, finishing plays above the rim, and shooting an effortless shot from deep, are some of the ways he hurt his opponents this weekend. From seeing him 2 months prior, he seems to be playing with more confidence, which is great for his continued development as there’s a lot more skill to tap into. Being able to go from standstill to sprint quickly, is a plus for Modou, as he possesses the tools to be able to be a better perimeter defender with anticipation and quickness. He will need to improve his body physically by adding some weight/strength which will have immediate carryover to other parts of his game.
Tidjane Salaun (France) | Camp All-Star
6’9 | 207lb | 7’0.75 Wingspan | 33.25” Vertical
Tidjane departed this camp, leaving everything on the court and taking nothing with him. The versatile forward made an imprint with his energy and length, seemingly always around the ball. Although there are areas of improvement; in his consistent jump shot and handle, he displayed a good base to continue to build off of. He is a plus rebounder, with a pursuit of the ball that was matched by only a few others here. He flashed ability as a catch & shoot player as well as capabilities of putting the ball on the floor and getting into the paint. His activity, size, and athleticism give him flexibility as a defender. A lot of upside here with Tidjane, and someone to monitor moving forward.
Junjie Wang (China) | Team Champion & Camp All-Star
6’9.25 Height | 230lb | 6’9.25 Wingspan | 32.5” Vertical
Junjie brings a lot of game to the court. He knows how to play and can do a little bit of everything. With his size and skill set, he proved productive inside and out. Shooting a clean jump shot, he displayed his range from 3 off the catch and the dribble. When run off the line, he was able to attack closeouts with strong straight-line drives. Not shy of contact, he would take advantage of smaller opponents and body them in the paint. Junjie’s overall production helped his team win the ultimate championship.