The Star Alliance The Grind Session Toronto Team Analysis

Style of Play:

The Star Alliance plays fast in transition, but it is a different kind of fast than other teams. It is a European and overseas style of play. Their guards play at a slow controlled pace, but they get out in transition, advancing the ball fast with quick passes and quick decisions to leak-out players for catch and shoot threes or the rim running big setting their teammates up for high percentage shots. In the half-court, they are a heavy pick and roll team compared to other teams having the guard big combo necessary to run pick and roll at this level. The bigs for the most part set good hard picks, understand screening angles, and free up the pick and roll ball-handler for either drives, getting to their spot for a dribble pull-up three, or using it to initiate ball movement and drive and kick passes to their teammates. Their guards' aggressiveness getting into the paint, seeking contact, and their bigger frame give them a lot of free-throw opportunities. Their bigs can get the offense going by either executing pick and pop for a three-point shot, getting to a short roll, or rolling hard and getting deep into the paint. Another big aspect of their team is using their size advantage to operate on post ups. They have bigger guards who can operate in the post backing down smaller guards and either going to a hook shot or a turnaround shot or attracting double teams and finding the open man. They have bigs who can get deep post positioning and go to a hook shot, spin around and attack the rim, or get double teams and find cutters and three-point shooters.

On the defensive end they have the length, size, and athleticism to pick up full-court and apply resistance making it tougher for their opponents to advance the ball and wearing out their ball-handlers. In the half-court, when opposing teams run pick and roll against them, their guards are scrappy defenders navigating picks well and moving laterally through them. Their bigs can play a combination of drop coverage and switching. When it comes to defending three-point shooters they are quick on rotations and getting out to three-point shooters forcing them into tougher contested shots. In transition they are quick to come back either forcing a tough contested shot or fouling hard making you earn it from the line. They know teams at this level thrive on getting fast-break points and playing fast, so they want to limit that as much as possible.

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Player Analysis:

Ricards Aizpurs

Position: G

Height: 6 Feet 5 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Ricards Aizpurs is a big broad-shouldered guard who uses it to his advantage driving to the rim and hunting down mismatches. He pushes the pace as a ball-handler in transition to get all the way to the rim or take dribble pull-up threes after rebounding the ball well on the defensive end. The combination of his tight handle, speed and direction changes, and his ability to play at his own pace without getting sped up makes it tough for defenders to contain him. In transition, when he is not a ball-handler, he can get catch and shoot pull-up three-pointers as a trail guy. He is aggressive getting to the rim and deep in the paint, making him a threat to draw fouls. When shooting threes, he has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. In the half-court, he is the main source of offense and a pick and roll ball-handler getting to his spots effectively for a dribble pull-up three, putting rim pressure, and initiating drive and kick passes for his teammates. He lacks athleticism but makes up for it with crafty finishing, good footwork, and big strides. He can navigate and handle pressure well, splitting hedges and double teams that come his way. He is a clutch scorer and one of his team's go-to scorers late in the game being decisive and showing poise and calmness at the end of games.

He is a willing passer, finds the open man, makes quick decisions, and has a fast processing speed. In drive and kick situations, he can collapse the defense after attracting multiple defenders setting up his teammates for high percentage quality looks. Being a bigger guard he can post up and play back to the basket, getting deep post positioning. He is vital to executing The Star Alliance post up offense being one of the biggest guards on their team slowing the pace down while still making quick decisions and reads. In transition, he looks for his rim running big and throws accurate lob passes enabling his team to get easy fast-break points from quick ball advancement.

He is a scrappy defender able to fight through picks and move well laterally through them. If he gets stuck on picks, he can recover and get back into possession to force a tougher contested shot using his length and size against smaller guards.

Brian Angeletti

Position: PF/C

Height: 6 Feet 7 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Brian Angeletti is a rim running big who runs the floor well. The quickness and explosiveness he plays with in transition makes it hard for opposing team’s bigs to keep up with the pace he plays at. He is a lob threat with good hands. He has a quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and isn't afraid to shoot when opposing teams sag off him giving him the potential and structure to develop into an intriguing shooter in the future. With him being a threat from three-point range he draws closeouts, uses shot fakes to get the defender up in the air and off-balance, puts the ball on the floor, and gets to the rim with a tight enough handle for his size. He is a player who shoots well from the free-throw line with a good routine, poise, and touch. He is a low post threat with the strength and physicality to get deep post positioning and back down smaller players. He exploits mismatches against smaller defenders by going to a hook shot, which he can finish over both shoulders. He can spin off defenders and get to the rim using his mobility. He attracts double teams in the post, where he can see over them and make passes to the open man. He can get shooters good looks from three-point range initiating dribble handoffs and handoffs. When executing The Star Alliance's pick and roll offense, he shows inconsistencies in setting picks. At times, he sets good picks that free up the pick and roll ball-handler and at times he shies away from contact and doesn't understand angles on picks making it hard to free him up. His timing can be off rolling to the rim too early or slipping picks which affects the spacing in the paint.

On the defensive end, he is an interior presence who gives stability to his team's defensive schemes. He is not a quick jumper so his defense isn't predicated on blocking shots but more so on using his length to contest and alter shots in the paint. He is quick to get back in transition and limit easy fast-break points for opposing teams by either blocking shots or fouling hard, making it contagious for the rest of the team to do the same when they see their big man do it. He shows a maturity beyond his age playing through mistakes, not getting down on himself, and moving on to the next play or possession. As a shot blocker, he shows his effectiveness through timing, instincts, discipline, the ability to jump straight up without fouling, and the ability to cover a lot of ground. He is a high-level post up defender walling up, not allowing deep post positioning, and not getting backed down. He denies entry passes and makes sure the post up player catches the ball and operates far from the basket, reducing their shot quality.

Fallou Sow

Position: SG

Height: 6 Feet 3 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Fallou Sow is a low-usage role player who understands his role on the offensive end and keeps it simple. In the half-court, he is a player who constantly moves along the three-point line finding holes and open spaces in the defense where he can operate in catch and shoot scenarios from three-point range. He has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. When he gets closeouts he is fluid putting the ball on the floor and either getting to a two dribble pull-up mid-range shot, attacking the rim with a straight-line drive, or getting to floater with good touch. He has a quick and explosive first step to blow by the player guarding tight or closing out. In the open court, where he operates less than half-court, he has shown flashes of pushing the pace as a ball-handler or leaking out in transition where he is quick, explosive, and fills the lanes well.

He is a high motor and high effort rebounder who is able to get rebounds out of his zone. He uses his length to his advantage grabbing extra possessions and second-chance opportunities for his team while limiting them for the opposing team.

Defense is the best aspect of his game playing with intensity and a competitive edge. He is the primary point of attack defender on his team. He picks up the ball-handler from the backcourt and applies resistance using his disruptive length, size, and physicality to cut off angles and wear the ball-handler down as he brings the ball up. He fights through picks, moves well through them laterally, and has a low base making it hard for the pick and roll ball-handler to get to their spots and have quality looks. If a hard pick is set on him and he does get stuck he has the length to recover, get back into the play, and still force the pick and roll ball-handler into a tough contested lower-percentage shot. When defending isolations he has defensive lateral quickness to stay in front of his matchup and cut off driving lanes. He can also anticipate and get into passing lanes for steals and deflections.

Giovanni Granai

Position: PG

Height: 6 Feet 3 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Giovanni Granai is an aggressive slashing guard to the rim. He changes speed and direction when bringing the ball up in transition as a ball-handler allowing him to go the length of the court and get all the way to the rim. The only downside is at times he needs a tighter handle through traffic and against physicality. He overdribbles to the left at times but likes to make his way to the right side when he is finishing. In the half-court, he is a pick and roll player and a rim attacker. His aggressiveness attacking the rim and his ability to absorb contact get him free-throw opportunities which he converts.

He can be an effective playmaker and passer creating looks for his teammates in transition, off dribble penetration and drive and kick, in the pick and roll, and executing crosscourt passes to shooters. On drive and kick and off dribble penetration he can get all the way to the rim, attract multiple defenders, and collapse the defense setting up his teammates for high percentage catch and shoot three-point shots. In transition, he can find the leak-out man and get the ball to them quick setting up high percentage catch and shoot pull-up threes or easy shots in the paint executing the pace that his team wants to play at. In the pick and roll he is quick finding the big rolling to the rim or popping out to the three-point line. He can make athletic passes in mid-air as a pick and roll ball-handler allowing him to handle blitzes, hedges, and double teams well.

On the defensive end, he is a scrappy defender. He picks up full-court and applies pressure on ball-handlers playing them up tight. He anticipates and beats his matchup to their spot cutting off driving lanes to the rim. In pick and roll, he isn't the fastest getting through them but he uses his IQ to understand his matchup. He goes under the pick if matched up against a driver and over the pick if matched up against a shooter. He is also a high-motor player diving for loose balls and 50-50 balls.

Riccardo Crestan

Position: SF

Height: 6 Feet 6 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Riccardo Crestan is best off the ball as a catch and shoot three-point specialist. He has a quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and a high release point to shoot over smaller defenders. He is shot ready and shoots the ball confidently. His ability to take and make threes spaces the floor for his teammates to operate in the paint. He can shoot from both the corners and the wings. When attacking closeouts and leaking out in transition he struggles to finish in the paint. He needs better touch and body control when attempting to finish inside. He lacks the speed, burst, and explosiveness to attack closeouts so he has to rely on his size to beat defenders. He has a knack for following his misses at the rim and coming up with extra possessions and second opportunities.

On the defensive end, he gets into passing lanes for steals and deflections sparking fast-break opportunities.

Lapo Santini

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 8 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2028

Uncommitted

Lapo Santini is a big who thrives creating offensive opportunities in the half-court by crashing the glass and getting extra possessions and second-chance opportunities. He either has good positioning going for offensive rebounds or follows his guards misses at the rim off dribble penetration. He converts second-chance opportunities into second-chance points getting putback layups with a nice finishing touch in the paint. He runs the floor well in transition and gets to the corner. He gives his team effective spacing knowing where to be and getting to the rim from the corner for quality shots.

On the defensive end, he doesn't project as a switchable defender due to his lack of mobility and ability to move his feet, but he has positive length and size that help him recover and contest shots.

Martin Minarovjech

Position: PG

Height: 6 Feet 5 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Martin Minarovjech has a tight handle for his size and is under control bringing the ball up in transition as a ball-handler. As a catch and shoot three-point shooter he has a high release point and can use his size to shoot over smaller players but he is slow to get his shot off, lacks fluidity, displays stiffness in his hips, and his release goes to the side when shooting and following through. He is more effective going inside more and attacking closeouts rather than settling for threes. He is quick to put the ball on the floor and gets to the rim fluidly.

On the defensive end, he has versatility being a switchable defender with the ability to guard multiple positions. He moves his feet well and has physicality, which allows him to cut off driving lanes despite lacking footspeed and being in an upright position.

Morris Muhr

Position: C

Height: 6 Feet 7 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Morris Muhr is a post up back to the basket big. He can get deep post positioning initially because of his size, but he lacks the frame and strength to back his defender down. He uses his size to shoot over smaller players and defenders. He needs to get stronger in his lower body and hips to become a better post up threat. He is best utilized setting picks for the pick and roll ball-handler. He sets good hard picks freeing up the pick and roll ball-handler for quality looks. He doesn't have the mobility to slip picks and find the open space. He fares better physically when setting screens and plays through contact better in that situation.

Despite having a size advantage, he gets pushed around on rebounds. He needs to improve his mobility, positioning, and hands so he can use his size to his advantage and grab rebounds giving him a skillset that keeps him on the floor more.

Filip Mihai

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 7 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Filip Mihai is a forward with guard skills. He is looking to attack the rim and showcase his aggressiveness getting into the paint with a tight handle and ability to protect the ball at his size. He has good footwork and is a crafty finisher in the paint. Off the ball he is effective cutting to the rim or in the dunkers spot catching and finishing.

He can get extra possessions and second-chance opportunities with his size advantage and high motor getting after it on the glass.

Yvain Vidal

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 7 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Yvain Vidal is a tall shooter who moves well and fluidly along the three-point line finding the open space. He has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. For being a tall shooter, he is balanced shooting it on the move. He has good positioning going for tip-ins and offensive rebounds keeping the defender on his hips and behind him. He is a screen setter for off the ball players trying to free them up or in pick and roll for the ball-handler.

Nicolas Fajardo

Position: PF

Height: 6 Feet 8 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Nicolas Fajardo is a big who can set up transition grabbing the defensive rebound and finding the rim running big or guard leaking out in transition with an accurate quick outlet pass leading to high-percentage fast-break points. This skillset helps him implement the style of play his team likes.

He can play back to the basket and take advantage of smaller defenders. He isn't a player who is going to get deep post positioning and back you down due to his smaller frame and being lanky, but he is quick to find angles and go up for shots. He has good footwork in the post navigating his way around.

Rafael Stable Terry

Position: PG

Height: 6 Feet 3 Inches

Team: The Star Alliance

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Rafael Stable Terry is a guard who struggles when matched up against bigger players. His main skillset is getting to the rim as a slasher and playing with pace. He struggles to finish in the paint losing body control resulting in a tough off-balance shot. His lack of strength and body control makes it tough for him to finish over size in the paint. He is a more effective finisher when he isn't challenged by bigger, stronger, and more athletic players with length. In the half-court at times he lacks speed, burst, and explosiveness to get to the rim.

He also struggles to make passes through length and size forcing tough contested passes through tight windows that lead to turnovers. He mistimes his passes and lacks accuracy. He has an erratic decision-making style and needs to show more poise to limit his turnovers.

On defense, he needs to understand personnel better. He goes under picks too many times against shooters allowing them high-percentage uncontested three-point shots off the dribble.