Erathi National Basketball Team
Coach- Aleix Bonaventura (FC Mildrid Kings)
Age: 33 years oldThe extremely tactically smart coach of the FC Mildrid Kings, Aleix Bonaventura was the man chosen to take the helm of the first ever Erathi national basketball team. Stemming from his own young age, Aleix is known for preferring a very free flowing offensive game where the players instincts and innate abilities are trusted. Set plays are kept to a minimum as Bonaventura has his players shoot and move as they feel best. However, should the opposing team play with a particular style or have a certain weakness, Aleix Bonaventura will not hesitate to draw up a few plays for the team to put into action.
Point Guards:23- Blake D'AQUINO (FC Mildrid Kings)
Height: 5'11 – Weight: 161lbs – Wingspan: 6'3 – Max Vertical: 51.5inches – Age: 18A superb athlete, Blake D'Aquino is the single most exciting Erathi basketball prospect ever. Coming into the Erathore Basketball Association, D'Aquino won ever major individual and team honor available for both school and club team. With a shattering 51.5 max vertical, Blake D'Aquino is known for his posterizing dunks, amazing blocks, and ability to win tip offs despite being substantially smaller than his opposition. Blessed with terrific ball handling and passing abilities, D'Aquino is the undisputed go to guy for the Erathi offense. D'Aquino is deadly from mid-range and from the 3-pt arc and will not hesitate to drive the lane for a close range finish. Defensively, despite his exceptional athleticism, his lack of size does present some challenges when going up against taller point guards or when he switches to guard another position. This being said, he is very good at stealing the ball, nabbing 2.6 per game. However, Blake D'Aquino is too eager to try and block shots and bites very easily on shot fakes. He loves to pull highlight reel moves and always looks to hit the greatest dunks and best no-look passes. He and Sabino Anderson look set to form the core of an extraordinarily strong FC Mildrid Kings team. Overall, an extraordinary player who is only going to get better and easily capable of being the greatest Erathi player of all time when the sad day comes to end his career.
Athleticism (For position): A+ – Speed: A+ – Strength: A- – Vertical: A++
Offense: A – 3pt: A- – Mid-range: A+ – Close range: B – Passing: A – Rebound: C – Handles: A+
Defense: B+ – On-Ball: A – Steals: A+ – Blocks: C- – Rebound: B
2014 Draft: Rd 1, Pick 1
Career: 0.0ppg – 0.0apg – 0.0rpg – 0.0spg – 0.0bpg – FG%: 0.0 – FT%: 0.0 – 3pt%: 0.0
15- Rolando PAVONE (Eliodoro Blue Wave)
Height: 6'3 – Weight: 193lbs – Wingspan: 6'7 – Max Vertical: 25.3inches – Age: 29
A master passer, Rolando Pavone can thread the world's smallest needle with ease. A pass first point guard, it is not uncommon for Pavone to go a dozen games without hitting double digits scoring. It's not that he isn't a poor shooter, indeed he can nail 3s if left open, it's just that Pavone finds more joy in a behind the back pass that leads to a one handed jam more then hitting a basket himself. An average athlete at best, the introduction of Pavone to a game will see the Erathi slow their offense down by a considerable amount as they move from the Blake D'Aquino run and gun style to a more patient approach where shooters are trying to get open and frequent cuts are made to take advantage of Pavone's passing abilities. An average defender, Pavone does a good job playing hands up D but can be broken down easily by faster opponents.
Athleticism: C+ – Speed: C- – Strength: B – Vertical: C
Offense: B+ – 3pt: A- – Mid-range: B+ – Close Range: B+ – Passing: A+ – Rebound: C- – Handles: B
Defense: B- – On-Ball: A – Steals: A- – Blocks: D – Rebound: C+
2001 Draft: Rd1, Pick 11
Career: 11.09ppg – 8.39apg – 4.59rpg – 1.89spg – 0.13bpg – FG%: .475 – FT%: .621 – 3pt%: .252
Shooting Guards:3- Parker CELESTE (Puente la Rein)
Height: 6'6 – Weight: 195lbs – Wingspan: 6'11 – Max Vertical: 30.5 inches – Age: 34An elite perimeter scorer, Parker Celeste has shot .463 from the 3pt line over his career and the record holder for most career 3pts, with 1967, and most 3pts in a season, with 239. With a high release, Celeste is capable of draining a 3 right in the face of his defender. He is also completely unfazed by a defender coming in late and can still hit that shot. Moving into the mid-range shot, Celeste is still a very capable scorer but does have some trouble shooting off the dribble. Close range, he is one of the most inconsistent players in the Erathi league. Whereas one night he pulls all manner of gorgeous lay ups, reverses, and dunks, the next night the slightest contact is enough to send his shot way off course. Defensively, Celeste is a lockdown defender with his long wingspan making it hard for his man to get off a shot without rushing it or getting blocked. Quick hands leads to being strong against the dribble and a steal or two per game.
Athleticism: B – Speed: C+ – Strength: B – Vertical: B+
Offense: A- – 3pt: A+ – Mid-range: A – Close Range: B+ – Passing: B+ – Rebound: B – Handles: B
Defense: A+ – On-Ball: A+ – Steals: A – Blocks: A – Rebound: B+
1998 Draft: Rd 1, Pk 2
Career: 18.85ppg – 3.35apg – 4.06rpg – 1.65spg – 1.79bpg – FG%: .452 – FT%: .894 – 3pt%: .463
15- Greg HARRISON (FC Mildrid Kings)
Height: 6'5 – Weight: 212lbs – Wingspan: 6'11 – Max Vertical: 46.7 inches – Age: 18
Greg Harrison has yet to play a professional game coming into his rookie season in the league but he is already one of the best slashing guards in the Erathi league by consensus. Extremely quick, with fast first and second steps, Harrison looks to do a quick one-two step to blow by his defender and pull into mid or close range, from where he is absolutely lethal. A superb finisher, Greg Harrison is capable of converting difficult lay-ups even after hard collisions with large defenders. If the close range option isn't available, he has a very strong mid-range shot. However, the moment he steps behind the 3pt arc, Harrison's shooting accuracy goes down by a substantial amount. One of the more intriguing aspects of Harrison's game is that he's starting to develop a lost post game which, if developed properly, could lead to making Harrison one of the most versatile scoring players in the Erathi league. Defensively, he makes use of his elite athleticism to lockdown his man and to nab several steals and blocks every game. A solid, solid player, Harrison looks set to become an elite shooting guard coupled with Blake D'Aquino with the FC Mildrid Kings.
Athleticism: A+ – Speed: A+ – Strength: A- – Vertical: A+
Offense: A – 3pt: C – Mid-range: A – Close Range: A+ – Passing: B – Rebound: B+ – Handles: A-
Defense: A – On-Ball: A – Steals: A – Blocks: A – Rebound: A
2014 Draft: Rd 1, Pk2
Career: 0.0ppg – 0.0apg – 0.0rpg – 0.0spg – 0.0bpg – FG%: 0.0 – FT%: 0.0 – 3pt%: 0.0
Small Forwards:5- Stanley AÍRO (Espartral Eagles) --CAPTAIN
Height: 6'8 – Weight: 231lbs – Wingspan: 7' – Max Vertical: 43.2inches – Age: 27The consensus best player in Erathore, Stanley Aíro was part of a massive and very surprising trade between the Mildrid Kings and the Espartral Eagles that gave the Kings the first overall pick in the 2014 draft+$24.5 million and sent Aíro to the Eagles. A pure scorer, Aíro is capable of putting the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court. He can finish through contact at the rim, pull up for a jumper in mid-range, or hit the occasional trey. His above average athleticism allows him to play above the rim and a quick first step means Aíro can change gears quickly to try and get by his man. His has a good, but not great ball handling ability and is capable of picking out the right pass, although his assist to turnover ration of 2.8/1.9 is too high. Aíro can also front up or play with his back to the basket on the low blocks. An offensive juggernaut, Aíro falls very short defensively. He is capable of playing decent on ball defense, but he gets beat by pure speed far too easily and has a very low steal rate. A decent number of blocks and rebounds per game helps to cover up some of his defensive shortcomings but the reality is that his opponents make a high percentage of their shots when guarded by Aíro. However, he makes up for this by simply being unstoppable on the scoresheet as he tends to his 403 consecutive game streak of double digit scoring.
Athleticism: A+ – Speed: A – Strength: B+ – Vertical: A-
Offense: A+ – 3pt: A- – Mid-range: A+ – Close Range: A+ – Passing: B- – Rebound: B – Handles: B+
Defense: C – On-Ball: C+ – Steals: B – Blocks: B- – Rebound: B
2007 Draft: Rd1, Pk 1
Career: 25.26ppg – 3.07apg – 6.55rpg – 1.10spg – 0.94bpg – FG%: .455 – FT%: .811 – 3pt%: .363
35- Dean STRONG (Eliodoro Blue Wave)
Height: 6'9 – Weight: 248lbs – Wingspan: 6'11 – Max Vertical: 35.0inches – Age: 37
An Erathi legend who will sadly hanging up his jersey at the conclusion of this tournament, Dean Strong is the all-time leader in points scored, with 33,561 over the course of his career. Playing as the 6th man off the bench, Dean Strong can be expected to play at least 20mpg as he introduces instant all-around top level offense and lockdown defense. Although not nearly as accurate and deadly from the floor as he used to be, Strong is still capable of being a threat from every spot on the floor. Strong from past the line, mid-range, and extremely deadly from close range, Dean Strong has added a lethal post-up game to his repertoire, using his surprising speed and strength for such an 'old' player to pull a dream shake and go by the defender. On the other side of the court, Strong's defensive instincts and quick reactions allow him to contest shots extremely well and nab a respectable 1.6 steals per game. His quick hands puts pressure on the offense and he forces plenty of errors. An amazing player who will be on the first page of the history books, Dean Strong is looking to make an impact off the bench and to show why he should start.
Athleticism: A- – Speed: B+ – Strength: A- – Vertical: A-
Offense: A – 3pt: A- – Mid-range: A – Close Range: A+ – Passing: A – Rebound: B- – Handles: B
Defense: A- – On-Ball: A+ – Steals: A- – Blocks: C+ – Rebound: B+
1994 Draft: Rd1, Pk 15
Career: 30.1ppg – 5.3apg – 6.2rpg – 2.35spg – .83bpg – FG%: .497 – FT%: .835 – 3pt%: .371
Power Forwards:6- Andrew ABREU (Sajazara Shockwave)
Height: 6'11 – Weight: 283lbs – Wingspan: 7'4 – Max Vertical: 40.1inches – Age: 21A rarity on the Erathi team, Andrew Abreu is not particularly skilled nor an exceptional athlete or even an above average one. Instead, Abrue brings pure, raw strength to this team. A force to be reckoned with, the incredibly strong Abreu makes his living on the offensive and defensive boards and by contesting shots. Lethal from close range, Abreu can finish through contact and multiple defenders at the rim. The moment he needs to shoot from depth, Abreu's shooting percentage sinks, with Abreu posting one of the lowest field goal percentages in the entire Erathi league. However, the sheer amount of rebounds he pulls in vastly outweighs this. Defensively, he is an absolute monster of a shot blocker. He is poor against a dribbling opponent and against speedier opponents, however his strength makes it hard to post up or get by. He is on this team for one purpose and one alone. To provide elite strength and rebounding to an otherwise physically average team.
2011 Draft: Rd 1, PK2
Athleticism: A+ – Speed: B – Strength: A+ – Vertical: A+
Offense: B- – 3-pt: F – Mid-Range: C+ – Close Range: A+ – Passing: B – Rebound: A+ – Handles: D
Defense: B+ – On-Ball: B – Steals: C – Blocks: A+ – Rebound: A+
Career: 9.2ppg – 0.7apg – 17.9rpg – .44spg – 3.2bpg – FG%: .334 – FT%: .675 – 3pt%: .161
26- Chris HOWARD (FC Mildrid Kings)
Height: 6'9 – Weight: 260lbs – Wingspan: 7'1 – Max Vertical: 35.7inches – Age: 29
A powerful, versatile scorer, Chris Howard makes use of his size and length to finish close to the rim and to provide rim protection on defense. Offensively, Howard is deadly from close range and has a solid mid-range shot. What makes him such an intriguing player is his ability to hit threes. This forces the defense to stretch to cover him, opening up the lane for D'Aquino, Parker Celeste, and Stanley Aíro to cut in and wreak havoc. Defensively, Howard makes use of his length, vertical, and extremely fast first and second jumps to provide elite blocking abilities to the Erathi team. A solid player, Chris Howard is a very unique player in that he is a big-man who can bang on the inside but is also a perimeter scoring threat.
2005 Draft: Rd 1, Pk 26
Athleticism: B – Speed: C – Strength: B – Vertical: A-
Offense: A – 3-pt: A – Mid-Range: B – Close Range: A+ – Passing: C+ – Rebound: B+ – Handles: C
Defense: B- – On-Ball: C+ – Steals: C- – Blocks: A+ – Rebound: B
Career: 9.7ppg – 0.9apg – 9.6rpg – .36spg – 3.5bpg – FG%: .378 – FT%: .713 – 3pt%: .309
Centers:34- Emem MASAMBA (FC Mildrid Kings)
Height: 7'1 – Weight: 283lbs – Wingspan: 7'8 – Max Vertical: 29.6inches – Age: 23An extremely long, athletic player, Emem Masamba is a devastating force in the paint. Capable of finishing over defenders with ease, Masamba rarely misses from close range. A developing mid-range game is bound to make Masamba even more of a dangerous offensive presence in a few years. A dream of a post-up player, Masamba makes use of fakes, dream shakes, and hook shots to get around even the best of defenders. He is extremely agile for a player of his size and has been compared to smaller point guards in terms of athletic ability. Defensively, Masamba's size, length, and athletic ability serve to make him a lockdown defender with elite shot blocking abilities. Easily the second best Erathi player behind Stanely Aíro, Emem Masamba is an all-around exceptional player.
Athleticism: A+ – Speed: A+ – Strength: B – Vertical: A
Offense: A+ – 3-pt: D – Mid-Range: B – Close Range: A+ – Passing: C+ – Rebound: A+ – Handles: D
Defense: A+ – On-ball: A+ – Steals: C- – Blocks: A+ – Rebound: A+
Career: 23.1ppg – 1.0apg – 18.6rpg – .76spg – 4.9bpg – FG%: .438 – FT%: .701 – 3pt%: .200
21- Jason MAXARÍ (Puente la Rein)
Height: 6'11 – Weight: 256lbs – Wingspan: 7'3 – Max Vertical: 22.5inches – Age: 35
A smaller option then Masamba, Maxarí is a unique playmaking center. A good shooter from up close, Jason Maxarí has exceptional passing abilities and this leads to him putting up similar or higher assist figures than point guards. He has an average mid-range shot but does have a lethal fadeaway over either shoulder. Defensively, his quick hands help him to strip the ball from the opposing center when they go up for a shot. However as a physical figure, Maxarí has a very hard time finishing through contact and bothering opposing players with his side. He's tall and lanky, but not very strong at all.
Athleticism: C+ – Speed: B – Strength: C- – Vertical C
Offense: B – 3-pt: F – Mid-Range: C – Close Range: B – Passing: A+ – Rebound: B- – Handles: A-
Defense: B – On-ball: A – Steals: A+ – Blocks B- – Rebound: B+
Career: 9.2ppg – 3.9apg – 6.7rpg – 2.0spg – 2.2bpg – FG%: .387 – FT%: .648 – 3pt%: .089