I was able to check out The 1st Bridge of Hoops in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy, hosted The Star Alliance and The Grind Session. The event showcased 4 American teams and 4 international teams, all of whom brought multiple intriguing prospects to the floor. These were the players who stood out the most to me at the forward and big positions.

Marri Wesley | Southeastern Prep | 2027 | Forward | 6’6

Slightly undersized for his position but a strong, physical player who did damage inside and out on both ends of the floor. Looked good operating on the wing, getting downhill as both a driver and cutter for finishes above and below the rim. Was able to power his way through contact inside and brought toughness on the defensive end, looked good moving his feet in space and didn’t give up ground going against taller post players in the paint. Made plays with his athleticism on that end.

Griffin Starks | Southeastern Prep | 2027 | Forward | 6’7

Doesn’t play a flashy game, but Starks gives this team a ton of versatility with his size and length. Switchable defender who rebounds and disrupts passing lanes, has a thinner frame but wiry strength that allows him to cut off drives at the point of attack. Offensively he looked good as a connector, moving without the ball and making quick decisions when he got it. Was able to get past defenders and into the paint with limited dribbles thanks to his long strides for finishes at the rim.

CJ Rosser | Southeastern Prep | 2027 | Forward | 6’10

Rosser’s size and talent make him someone who can change the momentum of a game at any time. A very good shooter with a high release point that is difficult to get a good contest on, he’s dangerous when he’s set off the catch or when he can get to a rhythm pullup. He’s limited now as a shot creator in the halfcourt, but handles the ball well in the open floor and has shown flashes as a passer. Excellent as a help side defender, he caused a ton of problems in space and as a rim protector with his length.

Ethan Hillsman | Academy of Central Florida | 2026 | Forward | 6’7

Hillsman is a strong and fundamentally sound offensive player who was effective in multiple roles. Does a good job of initiating and playing though contact in the paint, played well off of two feet and was able to adjust in the air on finishes. Proved to have nice touch as a shooter as well from every range, hit multiple threes off the catch and worked his way inside for short jumpers off the dribble. More of a mechanical mover than a fluid one, but managed to maintain balance and a strong base at all times that allowed him to be a scoring threat whenever the ball was in his hands.

Fallilou Mbengue | Academy of Central Florida | 2027 | Big | 6’10

Mbengue used his size and physical tools to make plays on both ends of the floor. His vertical athleticism made him an impactful defender in the paint, contesting shots and grabbing rebounds most players couldn’t get to. Offensively he has an intriguing base set of skills, was able to set solid screens and finish plays inside, has some natural shooting touch and brought energy as an offensive rebounder. Was a little loose with the ball at times and took a couple of questionable shots, but has upside as a short-roll big if he can clean things up.

Draydne McDaniel | Prolific Prep | 2029 | Forward | 6’7

For McDaniel to get on the floor at Prolific Prep as a freshman, more is required of him than just flashes of longterm upside. He looked very good in this setting doing the little things, guarding multiple positions well at the point of attack defensively and making hustle plays. Ran the floor hard in transition and pushed it up the floor himself a few times, set screens on the offensive end and made good decisions with the ball whenever he got it. Not asked to play a big role right now, but was able to find ways keep getting minutes.

Lukas Kubala | BC Dubai | 2008 | Forward | 6’8

Kubala was dominant for stretches of games as an interior player, using his strength and touch to score consistently in the paint. Was able to muscle through defenders for finishes and free throws, has good fundamentals in the post on drop steps and hooks, had a couple of flashes as a shooter outside of the paint as well. Rebounded well and erased a handful of shots around the rim defensively, ran the floor hard in transition for easy scoring opportunities. One of the most well-developed athletes of the entire weekend.

Sékou Diarra | The Star Alliance | 2007 | Forward | 6’8

A terrific athlete who made his presence felt on both ends thanks to his physical tools. He was all over the place in the paint, rebounding and blocking shots, finishing above and below the rim, and generating fouls and trips to the free throw line. An excellent second jumper with a strong frame, not a ton of natural skill with the ball in his hands right now but a strong transition player who always needed to be accounted for. Ceiling is very high if he’s able to expand the offensive game at all.

Ignas Štombergas | Zalgiris Kaunas | 2007 | Big | 6’10

Štombergas was unstoppable at times in the paint throughout the weekend, whether it came through points in the paint or at the free throw line. Lived at the line through stretches of games, has good footwork in the post and was able to get position on defenders routinely to draw contact. Ran the floor well in transition and was able to attack from the wing off the dribble in the halfcourt, showcased decent touch as a play finisher and was able to protect the rim reasonably well with his size.