ABBAS Mohammed Almahdi
26/04/2017
Enzo Flojo's Asia On My Mind
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Top Players from the WABA U16 Championship 2017

MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on my Mind) - Iran subdued Lebanon on their way to win the WABA U16 Championship 2017 title, but they were not the only ones who shone brightly and grabbed fans' attention.

There were more than a few promising U16 talents who took to the hardwood and made their mark in Tehran, and I am pretty sure they are probably going to join the likes of Behnam Yakhchali and Wael Arakji as players who rose from the youth ranks to become mainstays for their respective national teams. I will name here five of the most promising players who saw action at the WABA U16 Championship 2017.

Rayan Zanie Zambie (Lebanon)
- Per game stats: 29.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 steals.
- Zambie led the entire tournament in scoring, was among the best rebounders and had more than 4 steals per contest. He was actually the lone bright spot for Lebanon in the Final, where they lost to Iran, 72-64. Zambie exploded for 42 points, including making 24 from the line. Those are surely eye-popping numbers, and he should be one guy to watch in the coming FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2017.

Ali Reza Zeynalzadeh (Iran)
- Per game stats: 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 4.8 steals.
- Zeynalzadeh is Iran's leader both in name and in production. He led the team in scoring in the tournament, and he was also their best player in the Final against Lebanon, putting up 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 assists and 3 three-pointers. The 2001-born Zeynalzadeh can clearly score from both inside and outside, and there shouldn't be any doubt about how important his presence will be for the junior Team Melli later in the year.

Mohammed Almahdi Abbas (Iraq)
- Per game stats: 21.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 4.3 steals.
- Iraq won't make it to the FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2017, but this kid is someone to watch in the next few years as the West Asian team hopes to improve their standing. He led Iraq in scoring and assists, and was the most aggressive attacker for the squad, earning 10.8 free throw attempts per game. He was also an iron man for the team playing upwards of 37 minutes per contest. With Iraq becoming a fast-rising team in Asia, it shouldn't be a shocker to see someone like Abbas get called up for further development. The only thing he really needs to improve is three-point shooting.

Elias Azrie (Syria)

- Per game stats: 19.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.3 steals.
- Syria were the surprise package of the tournament, finishing a strong third place behind Iran and Lebanon. At forefront was Azrie, who paced the team's offense. He went toe-to-toe with Zambie in their final game against Lebanon, and that was a testament to this kid's potential. Once Syria manages a resurgence in their basketball program, look for Azrie to play a big role in it.

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Gebrael Samaha (Lebanon)
- Per game stats: 11.8 points, 14.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals, 5.3 blocks.
- Perhaps one of the biggest reasons Lebanon fell short in the Final was because Samaha had his worst offensive game, making only 2 of his 12 field goals. He still delivered in other departments, but the dip in his production was definitely huge. Samaha was the tournament's best rebounder and best shot-blocker, and he is surely someone who has a bright future in the Lebanese national program. As long as he keeps on growing and stays healthy, he and Zambie should present a bright future for the Cedars.

Pedram Fakhfouri (Iran)
- Per game stats: 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal, 2.5 three-pointers.
- Fakhfouri was not only Iran's best outside shooter. He was actually the best in the entire competition, hitting 10 triples in 4 games. One may even say that he could have easily been the team's best scorer if not for Zeynalzadeh's presence. His torrid perimeter game helped spread the floor and stretch the opposing defenses, and he actually has the makings of a young Hamed Afagh. That is certainly something that would be nothing short of beneficial for the national program's future.


Enzo Flojo

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Enzo Flojo

Enzo Flojo

Enzo Flojo, one of Manila’s top basketball bloggers, always has Asian basketball on his mind. His biggest basketball dream? To see an Asian team as a legitimate gold medal contender in world basketball. He believes it will happen in his lifetime. If you have big basketball dreams like he does, then you’re in the right place.