Hoop Mountain coaches and World School Basketball Championship technical directors Julian King and Ryan Yates pinpointed some of the most influential performers at the December tournament. See what made the players stand out below:
To see the under-19 team click here and to view the under-15 side click here.
#1 Ahmet Demirkaya – Dubai International Academy (Most Valuable Player) School: Dubai International Academy Jersey: #13 Position: PG Strengths: -Floor general/team leader -Excellent at attacking the basket -Good midrange shooter -Good playmaker -Strong/big guard -Great on ball defender -Tough as nails
#2 Marco Moral School: Greenfield International School Grade: 11 Jersey: #13 Position: PG Height: 178cm Strengths: -Strong/tough ball handler/very crafty -Excellent long range shooter -Very good at creating space/finishing in traffic -Hits clutch shots -Great playmaker -High basketball IQ -Plays passing lanes well Favourite basketball player: Ricky Rubio Hobbies: Basketball and playing video games
#3 Borislav Gonkov School: GEMS Wellington Jersey: #5 Position: PG Strengths: -Big guard -Floor general/playmaker -Great midrange arsenal of offensive moves -Good on ball defender -Great rebounding guard
#4 Varun Krisha School: Our Own Sharjah Jersey: #2 Position: SG/PG Strengths: -Shoots it well from 3pt range -Solid ball handler/Under control -Good on ball defender -Good scorer in transition
#5 John Haffar School: GEMS Wellington Jersey: #11 Position: SG Strengths: -Crafty/tough ball handler -Relentless attacking the basket/has a variety of moves -Great shooter from midrange/3pt range -Quick hands on defence
#6 Ranveer Singh School: Greenfield International School Grade: 10 Jersey: #14 Position: SF Height: 185cm Strengths: -Big/Strong wing -Good spot up shooter -Great rebounder -Never gives up on a play/Always plays hard Favourite basketball player: Kawhi Leonard Hobbies: Basketball
#7 Louis Valero School: RAHA International School Grade: 10 Jersey: #6 Position: SG/PG Height: 1733cm Strengths: -Very good shooter -Solid ball handler/ makes good decisions -Hard nosed/tough defender Favourite basketball player: Josh Christopher of Mayfair HS Hobbies: Basketball and hanging out with friends
#8 Marco Holfina School: GEMS Winchester Jersey: #47 Position: PG/SG Strengths: -Strong/crafty ball handler /pass first guard -Finishes well in traffic with either hand -Very good perimeter defender
#9 Kareem Al-Bendory School: British School of Kuwait Jersey: #31 Position: SG/SF Strengths: -Long/athletic wing -Attacks the basket/gets to the lane with ease -Good shooter -Very good defender using length to disrupt passing lanes
#10 Khrish School: Dubai International Academy Jersey: #25 Position: PF/C Strengths: -Great defensive rebounder -Good post defender/anchors the defense -High motor/ Big -Runs the floor well
#11 Abdelrahmen Shehab School: British International School Cairo Jersey: #25 Position: PG/SG Strengths: -Floor general/Team leader -High Basketball IQ -Good ball handler/playmaker -Good creating shots off the dribble
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