Making an impact: 10 standouts from the Group Phase in Skopje

SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - Three days have gone by and the Group Phase of the FIBA U16 European Championship is already in the books.

As teams prepare for the knockout stages, we take a look at 10 players who have delivered memorable performances during the the first days of action in Skopje.

Alexandros Alexakis - Greece

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth Date: May 25, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 1.95m (6ft 0in)

Tournament Stats: 13.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG

One of the candidates to win the tournament, Greece will enter the Round of 16 undefeated, in part due to the two-way impact of Alexakis. The guard's combination of size, mobility and defensive instincts made him a productive defender, forcing opponents into misses and turnovers. Offensively, the Peristeri wing adds value by shooting off the catch, attacking closeouts and passing on the move — the perfect complement for Efstratios Papastavrou and his aggressive on-ball scoring ability.

Arturas Butajevas - Lithuania 

CENTER

Birth Date: March 27, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in)

Tournament Stats: 14.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.3 SPG

Reigning U16 champions Lithuania haven't missed a beat as they are undefeated entering the Round of 16, having beat opponents by an average of 22 points. Averaging a double-double, Butajevas has been the interior presence for Lithuania, utilizing his combination of size, length and touch to secure rebounds and finish around the basket. The 2.00m forward also shows a good level of fluidity, which allows him to make plays off the dribble and find open teammates in the perimeter.

Declan Duru - Germany

SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: January 12, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in)

Tournament Stats: 12.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.3 SPG, 4.0 APG, 0.7 BPG

While Matthieu Grujicic has given a much-needed scoring punch to this Germany squad, it can be argued that Duru has provided nearly everything else, ranking in the top five in rebounds, steals and assists in the tournament. Germany has taken advantage of Duru's unique combination of size, strength and fluidity, allowing him to lead the break out of defensive rebounds, trusting him to make the right decision with the ball in his hands.

Gildas Gimenez - Spain

SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: January 12, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 1.97m (6ft 6in)

Tournament Stats: 12.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG

As is usually the case with Spain, the roster is as well balanced as it is loaded with talent. Among five different players who are averaging double digits in scoring, we pick Gimenez, who has made an impact on both ends of the floor for Spain, being a reliable scorer in the paint, while also creating defensive events with his length and athleticism. Spain is sitting at 3-0, looking more than ready to avenge last year's loss in the U16 Final.

Vladimir Komnenovic - Montenegro

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: March 12, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 1.81m (5ft 11in)

Tournament Stats: 23.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG

The scoring leader of the tournament, Komnenovic is a multi-level offensive threat. He shows the ability to convert tough shots from three-point range and despite standing at just 1.81m, he has been a threat to score in the paint with his speed and aggressive mentality as a slasher. Defensively, Komnenovic has found a way to add value by intercepting errant passes and staying in front of drivers with his lateral speed.

Ian Lazarevski - Slovenia

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth Date: March 30, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in)

Tournament Stats: 20.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Arguably, no other player has been as instrumental for its team than Lazarevski, who is leading Slovenia in points, rebounds, assists and steals. The 16-year-old wing has been a complete threat for Slovenia, utilizing his combination of fluid ball-handling ability and 2.02m size to exploit mismatches and get to the rim, while also being consistent at finding open teammates on the move. Lazarevski is also making an impact from beyond the arc, as he's currently shooting 42.9 percent on three-pointers.

Achille Lonati - Italy

GUARD

Birth Date: January 22, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 1.91m (6ft 3in)

Tournament Stats: 15.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Italy finished the Group Phase with a 3-0 record, in part due to the strength of their perimeter rotation. In this setting, Adrian Mathis' playmaking and Maikcol Perez's athleticism provide the perfect backdrop for Achille Lonati's dynamic scoring ability to shine through. The Olimpia Milano guard has shot the ball extremely well, converting 37.5 percent of his three-pointers, many of which are tough, off-the-dribble attempts. Lonati also contributes with his perimeter defense and playmaking for others.

Aviel Mamo - Israel

GUARD

Birth Date: January 1, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)

Tournament Stats: 12.3 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 BPG

Mamo has been dominant on the glass, with his event-leading mark of 10.7 rebounds per game and a tremendous 16-point, 18-rebound outing against Finland. Beyond the boards, the Maccabi Tel-Aviv wing has made an impact for Israel with his spot-up shooting, his transition ball-handling and his ability to create defensive events.

Akram Naji - France

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: April 2, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)

Tournament Stats: 17.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, 2.3 RPG, 2.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Naji has been the engine behind France's high-octane offense which leads the tournament with a 95.3 point per game average. The Elan Chalon guard impresses with his ability to operate at high speeds, being quick to make decisions in transition and in the early offense. Naji, who leads the tournament in assists and ranks in the top five in scoring, also makes an impact with his perimeter shooting and his tough defense, an area in which he utilizes his 1.93m size and strength to make life difficult for opposing ball-handlers.

Ognjen Srzentic - Serbia

GUARD

Birth Date: March 18, 2007 (16 years old)
Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in)

Tournament Stats: 11.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.3 BPG

After finishing in 13th place in the 2022 edition of the tournament, Serbia looks primed for a return to form, as they go into the Round of 16 with a 2-1 record. Srzentic has been one of the keys for Serbia with his versatile game, showing smooth ball-handling, reactive passing and versatile shooting abilities for his 2.00m size.

FIBA