Note -
**Players listed in this report must be born after January 1, 1984
**Taiwan's 3-year high school class: freshman, sophomore, senior
**Stats thru preliminary and second round
Big men and point guards are strong in this year's U-18 prospects pool, which is relatively weaker in wing players. Overall, I see this year's class is weaker than the past two years, especially when San-min's wing Chou Shi-yuan (190cm) and several players are over the 18-year-old age limit.
Tsai-shin HS's "Twin Tower" Tsun Wen-din (202cm) and Wu Dai-hao (201cm), who already appeared in the last U-18 evaluation, are still brilliant and improving. High school freshmen phenoms Wang Chuan-jian (193cm and growing) and Yen Jen-hong (195cm, San-min HS) are players with the best footwork in years. Keep an eye on these kids.
Also you have to take a look at 180cm PG Chen Shi-nian of Chian-shu HS, who passes with the court vision no one else has, has a strong body to mix it up a little and finish in the lane, although he is turnover-prone.
Listed below are the Super Eight of this year's U-18 prospects in Taiwan.
(DOB, School, Class, Ht./Wt., Position, Future Position)
TSUN WEN-DIN
(1984.7.6, Tsai-shin HS, Senior, 202cm/86kg, C, C/PF)
11.5p, 8.6rb, 3.8a, 3.8blk, 2.3s, 62% FG
Comment:
Obviously the most talented and complete bigman in this year's HBL...good high-post skills...one of four high school players in 2001 Taiwan NT, played in East Asian Games, Asian Championships and Jones Cup...skinny but plays smart...has a knack for blocking shots from weak side...can run the break...tremendous passing for a center...needs to bulk up, improve his footwork and mid-range shooting...
WU DAI-HAO
(1985.2.7, Tsai-shin HS, Sophomore, 201cm/98kg, PF, PF/SF)
9.6p, 7.1rb, 1.4blk, 55% FG
Comment:
A talented athlete with great jumping ability, speed and wingspan...selected to Taiwan NT as a high school sophomore in 2001, played in East Asian Games, Asian Championship and Jones Cup...aggressive on both ends of the court...his game shows no FEAR...has the potential to be a good 3 but needs to improve his shooting...
CHEN SHI-NIAN
(1984.4.8, Chian-shu HS, Senior, 180cm/74kg, PG, PG)
12.5p, 5.3rb, 6.6a, 3.5s, 6.0TO, 41% 3PT
Comment:
Best PG prospect in last couple of years...great poise, super court vision and awareness...great floor leader but a little bit turnover-prone...has a strong body that can finish in traffic...a "pass first, shoot second" old-fashion PG with under-estimated scoring ability...reminds observers of current NT lead guard Yen Shin-shu...good anticipation on defense...unimpressive foot speed
WANG CHUAN-JIAN
(1985.12.30, Kao-yuan HS, Freshman, 193cm/91kg, C, PF/SF)
15.5p, 8.2rb, 50% FG
Comment:
Lead Kao-yuan HS in scoring and rebounding as a freshman, making immediate impact in the first year...plays within his own game and let the game come to him...possesses the best footwork among this year's inside players...still growing, may have to switch to PF or even SF in the future...
YEN JEN-HONG
(1986.2.5, San-min HS, Freshman, 195cm/79kg, C, PF/SF)
9.9p, 6.2rb, 1.4blk
Comment:
Another outstanding freshman...an active inside player who plays with reckless abandon, especially on defense...sound footwork and inside moves but still raw offensively...has the potential to be a good PF, even SF, in the future...
LEE CHI-MING
(1984.1.31, Ping-tung HS, Senior, 175cm/71kg, SG, PG/SG)
22.4p, 3.6rb, 3.4a, 3.8s, 45% 3PT, 95% FT
Comment:
The most explosive and creative scorer - also one of the shortest - in HBL this year...dominated the opposition with his devastated crossover dribble and quickness...good shooting touch...you have to double-teaming to stop this little guy, even he is only 5-9 (175cm)...great anticipation on the passing lane and tenacious one-on-one defender, evidenced by his 3.8 steals per game...his stock skyrocketed as the season went on...will probably play at PG in the A-League, which makes observers worry about his future...
WU JUN-HSIUNG
(1984.8.26, Chian-shu HS, Senior, 197cm/90kg, C, PF)
12.5p, 8.9rb
Comment:
A late bloomer who doesn't show his talent until this year...one of Chian-shu's "Twin Tower" frontline, along with 200cm Wu Chih-yuan...more of a finesse-type player, needs to bang inside and hit the boards more...it will take some time for him to develop into a solid player in the next level...
CHANG YI-WEN
(1984.4.13, Tsai-shin HS, Senior, 183cm/75kg, PG, PG)
11.6p, 4.5rb, 3.8a, 3.8s
Comment:
The most reliable and versatile PG this year...does everything well on both ends of the court...good body and hand-eye coordination, rarely plays out of control...will be a solid PG, at least, in the next level for many years...
HONORABLE MENTION:
HU JIN-SHUN (1984.12.11, Kao-yuan HS, Senior, 185cm/88kg, PF, SG)
9.6p, 6.4rb
This former PF in junior high has the potential to be the strongest POWER GUARD.
CHEN TSE-WEI (1985.1.30, Nan-shan HS, Sophomore, 198cm/78kg, C, SF)
A disappointing sophomore year dropped him back on the list.
HUANG CHI-FENG (1984.3.12, Hsin-jun HS, Senior, 192cm/85kg, C, SF)
13.7p, 8.6rb, 58% FG
Plays center in high school, now it's time to switch to SF. Needs to improve his outside shooting.
LIAO JIAN-SHEN (1984.2.2, Tai-shan HS, Senior, 181cm/67kg, PG, PG)
8.6p, 4.3rb, 3.9a
The cat-quick, jumping-jack PG has a tons of potential but plays out of control sometimes.