Analysis: Prospect scoring in ABA League

The table above ranks the top-6 players currently competing in the ABA League that are 22 years old or younger by their scoring averages. The league’s history with young players is rich for a variety of reasons. The regional competition has generated dozens of NBA Draft picks, developed numerous Euroleague stars, and continues to foster some of the most talented players of any given generation. The ABA League Top Prospect honor has been a good indicator of future success since the inaugural award was given out in the 2013-14 season. Every one of Dario Šarić, Nikola Jokić, Ante Žižić, Jonah Bolden and Džanan Musa have continued to blossom and build on their award-winning ABA League seasons.

A Closer Look

Through Round 19, Goga Bitadze has been not just the most efficient, productive young player in the ABA League, but one of the most efficient players in the league overall. The talented Georgian center has been one of the most effective roll men in league history this season shooting 69% developing great chemistry with the guards of both Mega Bemax first and then Budućnost VOLI in recent rounds. Showing significant improvement as a jump shooter this season, Bitadze continues to evolve as a skilled big man who can score in a variety of ways and use his size defensively.

His former teammate Adam Mokoka has played a significant role for Mega Bemax all season and shot the ball more accurately from the perimeter every month since the ABA League schedule began. Ranking among the league leaders in transition scoring and steals per game, Mokoka has made a steady impact on games in the open court, but his development as a three-point shooter adds a dimension to Mega Bemax’s offense.

Vanja Marinković has had several big scoring performances in the ABA League this season helping his team to a playoff berth. Among the top spot up shooters in the competition this year, Marinković has been very accurate in the EuroCup in recent rounds, and it will be interesting to see how he is able to perform now that he can focus strictly on the ABA League.

As has been the case every year in recent history, Mega Bemax features several very young players among its key contributors. Ognjen Čarapić, Luka Ašćerić, and Nikola Mišković have all started several games for the club this season. Mišković has been the most productive of the three, scoring with good consistency around the rim and from the perimeter showing interesting versatility at 207 cm tall. Only turning 20 in January, Mišković’s performance is made even more impressive by the fact that he had only played 2 games in the ABA League prior to this season.

The ABA League also features several of the most highly regarded teenagers in Europe, though they will have to wait their turn to contribute at the same level of the players listed above. As has often been the case, the future looks bright in the Adriatic region.
Insights and Statistics Provided by Synergy Sports Technology