Five young players who could make a splash in the FIBA Europe Cup Play-Offs

MUNICH (Germany) - It is often said that it is experience that counts in the Play-Offs, but a number of up-and-coming players in the FIBA Europe Cup have been making arguments not to be taken lightly come the business end of the season.

Having examined the cases of all players born in 1998 and later, we have narrowed down the selection to five prospects who - in addition to having bright futures - could play a role and impact their team's chances in the post-season in a real way.

Joshua Obiesie (s.Oliver Wurzburg) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

GUARD 

Birth date: May 23, 2000 (18 years old)
Height: 196cm / 6'5"
Club: s.Oliver Wurzburg
Nationality: GER

Statistics: 11.0 PTS, 4.0 REB, 2.8 AST in 19.7 MIN

The only teenager in the FIBA Europe Cup averaging double digits in scoring, Joshua Obiesie took the competition by storm after joining s.Oliver Wurzburg in late November and his name has only gained more momentum lately. The athletic combo guard finished the Second Round with a pair of stellar displays against Pinar Karsiyaka and Szolnoki Olaj, putting up 18.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists during this two-game stretch. Used in an off-ball role by coach Denis Wucherer, Obiesie has been exceptionally efficient with a 55.6 percent clip from the field while hitting three-pointers at a similar rate. His playmaking may still be a work in progress, but he has showed great promise attacking the rim, being aggressive and finishing around the rim.  

Best qualities: Great size and athletic tools, high-energy player, left-handed.

Nikita Mikhailovskii (Avtodor Saratov) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

SHOOTING GUARD 

Birth date: September 10, 2000 (18 years old)
Height: 201cm / 6'7"
Club: Avtodor Saratov
Nationality: RUS

Statistics: 7.6 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.4 AST in 15.5 MIN

A late bloomer, Nikita Mikhailovskii appeared on everyone's radar with a breakout performance at the FIBA U18 European Championship in Latvia last summer, decorated with All-Star Five honors. A strong season in the FIBA Europe Cup with Avtodor Saratov only confirmed his status as a top-level prospect. After sporadic appearances on the court at the start of the Regular Season, Mikhailovskii became an important part of the rotation both under Dusan Alimpijevic and then Evgeny Pashutin, averaging 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.8 minutes per game in the Second Round. The versatile wing player is second in the entire competition in three-point percentage, albeit on a small 15-of-26 sample size.

Best qualities: Length, attacking mentality, fluidity in open court, anticipation on defense.

Rienk Mast (Donar Groningen)⭐⭐⭐

POWER FORWARD 

Birth date: July 19, 2001 (17 years old)
Height: 202cm / 6'8"
Club: Donar Groningen
Nationality: NED

Statistics: 2.8 PTS, 1.0 REB, 0.5 AST in 7.5 MIN

Donar Groningen have not made as much playing time available for Rienk Mast in the FIBA Europe Cup as in the Dutch Basketball League, but the 17-year-old Dutch talent should be able to handle the spotlight if the opportunity comes. His future potential is best summarized up by the recent senior international call-ups - in the last window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, Mast logged a total of 46 minutes for the senior national team in the contests against Lithuania and Poland. In contrast, he has played 52 minutes in the FIBA Europe Cup all season long. On the other hand, Mast has won coach Erik Braal's trust at least in the domestic championship, where he is averaging 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Set to continue his career in the NCAA after this season, Mast has a verbal commitment in place with the Bradley Braves.

Best qualities: Versatility, a threat inside and out, high IQ.

Ousmane Diop (Dinamo Sassari) ⭐⭐⭐

POWER FORWARD 

Birth date: February 19, 2000 (19 years old)
Height: 204cm / 6'8"
Club: Dinamo Sassari
Nationality: SEN

Statistics: 3.7 PTS, 2.3 REB, 0.3 AST in 7.0 MIN

If he wasn't playing for a team as talent-stacked as Dinamo Sassari, Ousmane Diop could possibly be making more noise in the FIBA Europe Cup. But even under the current circumstances, the Senegalese-born big man has managed to carve out some occasional playing time behind the likes of Jack Cooley, Rashawn Thomas and Achille Polonara. After a moderately strong start of the campaign in the Qualifiers and the Regular Season, Diop's minutes have dropped off recently with the power forward only getting on the board with points in two Second Round games against Donar Groningen and Petrolina AEK. His best game came in a lopsided win over Falco Vulcano in the Regular Season, when Diop scored 12 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and fouled out in 17 minutes of action.

Best qualities: Physicality and energy, rim protection, ability to stretch the floor.

Sylvester Berg (Bakken Bears) ⭐⭐

FORWARD 

Birth date: May 27, 1998 (20 years old)
Height: 199cm / 6'6"
Club: Bakken Bears
Nationality: DEN

Statistics: 3.0 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.6 AST, 1.6 STL in 10.5 MIN

Although most of his playing opportunities came in the Danish Basketball League, Bakken Bears forward Sylvester Berg was still one of the more noticeable and consistently visible young players in the FIBA Europe Cup. At the age of 20, he is the oldest player to be included in this list. Having appeared in eight contests, he did not leave the court scoreless even once and had excellent plus-minus numbers, with the Danish title-holders, on average, outscoring their opponents by 8.5 points with Berg on the floor. In the domestic championship, where he has represented both Bakken Bears and EBAA, the Aarhus native is averaging 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Best qualities: Strong body, rebounding, effort level.

FIBA