It’s the NBA’s most boring month, but European basketball was at its best in September. The 2022 European Basketball Championship (EuroBasket) will be remembered as a fascinating and prediction-busting tournament, filled with NBA superstars and big upsets.
Thirty-five NBA players took part on their national teams, including second-year prospects Alperen Sengun (Turkey) and Usman Garuba (Spain) of the Houston Rockets. This is how each performed in arguably the most exciting EuroBasket of all time as graded by international hoops writer Alberto de Roa of HoopsHype.
De Roa’s grades for all NBA players are available at HoopsHype, but we’ve pulled his analysis of Sengun and Garuba. With Garuba as a key reserve, Spain won the tournament.
Both European prospects will be back with the Rockets when training camp for the 2022-23 season starts on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Alperen Sengun (Houston)
Grade: B
Statistics: 16.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists
De Roa’s analysis: The 20-year-old center is already one of the undisputed leaders of the Turkish national team. With a bigger role than in Houston, Alperen Sengun showed at times his potential as one of the most skilled big men in the world, with polished footwork and good court vision. At the same time, it was not by chance his worst game came against France, loaded with experienced physical centers. His future is bright, but there’s plenty of room to improve.
Usman Garuba (Houston)
Grade: C-plus
Statistics: 4.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists
De Roa’s analysis: Coming off a disappointing rookie year in Houston, Usman Garuba gave a glimpse of the kind of player he can be in the NBA. Taking a Draymond Green-like role, the young forward was essential as a defensive disruptor while showing great court vision in both ends of the court. Without taking many shots, he helped Spain to an unexpected run to the EuroBasket gold.
Sengun, Garuba news coverage at EuroBasket
De Willy a Maledon, todos los jugadores NBA del Eurobasket 2022, uno a uno. Para @Hoopshype:
https://t.co/leBd12ftDm— Alberto de Roa (@TikotDeRoa) September 18, 2022
