Who I Watched (6/28): Felipe Minzer, Tyler Kropp, Thiago Sucatzky, Ivan Prato, Tama Isaac, Julius Halaifonua

Evaluating Argentina vs. New Zealand from the FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

I watched Argentina vs. New Zealand on June 28, 2025. This game was part of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

Here are in-game and background notes on prospects I found interesting:

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🇦🇷 Felipe Minzer (Argentina)

• BIRTHDAY: Sept. 13, 2007

• HEIGHT: 6-foot-6

• BOX SCORE: 5 PTS (2/11 FG, 0/3 3P, 1/2 FT), 7 REB (3o), 4 AST to 2 TOV, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 3 PF in 25 MINS

• CLUB: Zaragoza (Spain)

• PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Will leave Zaragoza for a high-major school, future NBA Draft prospect

Felipe Minzer flashes a dribble/pass/score toolbox while being one of the youngest players on his team. However, the Argentinian wing remains a couple of years away from putting everything together, and he must keep getting stronger to maximize his skills.

Minzer was inefficient as a scorer in this game. Besides two drives where he displayed intriguing deceleration, he struggled to get to his spots against physicality and got blocked on a handful of occasions. Minzer’s reads were alright, but his process and execution left a lot to be desired. The Zaragoza prospect looked uncomfortable creating advantages with his pull-up, and he missed all of his threes.

Minzer was much more interesting as a playmaker. The 17-year-old likes to use a screen left, and he fired a few accurate live dribble passes over the top of the defense. Minzer’s handle and playmaking remain basic and even loose for now, but he plays and thinks the game the right way.

The Argentine teenager was engaged on defense. He had a couple of steals on-ball, and some decent rotations off-ball. Going forward, it’ll be about adding lean muscle and gambling less.

Wants to play in the United States. Born in Gálvez, Santa Fe, Argentina. Father is Héctor ‘Paul’ Minzer, who had a 14-year basketball career in South America. His brother Jeremias Minzer plays professionally in Argentina. Was at Club Atlético Santa Paula until Feb. 2023, when he agreed to join Zaragoza in Spain. Debuted in the Spanish ACB league on Sept. 23, 2023 when he was 16 y/o. Previously represented Argentina at U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-18 levels. Was selected for the 2024 NCAA College Basketball Academy and received praise at the event. Was selected for Basketball Without Borders Americas 2024 and Global 2025. Played 2024-25 ANGT Munich with the NextGen squad.

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🇦🇷 Tyler Kropp (Argentina)

• BIRTHDAY: March 6, 2007

• HEIGHT: 6-foot-8

• BOX SCORE: 22 PTS (8/17 2P, 1/1 3P, 3/3 FT), 11 REB (5o), 1 AST to 1 TOV, 0 STK, 3 PF in 29 MINS

• TEAM: Olentangy Liberty High School ➡️ Northwestern

• PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Multi-year college player, potentially getting a transfer up 2-3 seasons in

Tyler Kropp had a double-double in about half an hour of play thanks to his high motor and interior scoring.

The Argentinian forward usually scores after posting up or facing up, although he prefers the latter. Kropp is effective at using the underside of the rim to shield the ball and finish on the opposite start of where he makes his move. For instance, he had a face-up on the left side that ended with a spin to his right and a stepthrough finish on the right side of the basket.

However, I’m not fully convinced by Kropp’s process. His motor is more about being stubborn than it is about playing with contact. That’s largely how Kropp puts up numbers on the offensive glass. The 2007-born forward also seems very one-handed. He doesn’t want to use his left hand, even when that’s the best option. Plus, Kropp overshoots his close range finishes.

Then, his physicality needs to rev up on both sides of the floor. Kropp doesn’t make contact on his screens, regardless of whether he’s screening down for others or coming up to set a pick for his ballhandler. With the latter, he doesn’t create space or advantages for his point guard.

At this point, my initial perception is that Kropp is stuck between the 3 and the 4. If he is to become more of a wing, his shot becomes more imperative. Kropp hit a three with decent form and drilled all of his free throws. Plus, the 18-year-old made and missed a couple of fallaways from the midrange.

From Powell, Ohio. Committed to Northwestern in Oct. 2024. Mother is Mabel Bequelman-Kropp, from Buenos Aires. Father is David Kropp. They met at Ohio State University when she moved stateside for college in the late 1990s. Brother Dylan plays college soccer at Xavier. Sister is Maia, who has a gymnastics background. Argentina learned about Tyler through his mom. Nationally, has been compared to former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Gabriel Deck. Still learning Spanish. Previously represented Argentina at U-16, U-17, and U-18 levels. Was selected for the 2024 NCAA College Basketball Academy.

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🇦🇷 Thiago Sucatzky (Argentina)

• BIRTHDAY: April 12, 2006

• HEIGHT: 5-foot-10

• BOX SCORE: 8 PTS (4/6 FG, 0/1 3P, 0/1 FT), 3 DREB, 5 AST to 0 TOV, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 PF in 20 MINS

• CLUB: Miami Prep ➡️ Florida International

• PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: 4-year college player, then Europe

Thiago Sucatzky will be a pro for a very long time, although that will almost certainly come in Europe. The 2006-born prospect is a tiny floor general and a very steady passer, but he will always be limited on both ends by his 5-foot-10 frame and perhaps his slash-first scoring. Sucatzky reminds me of Facundo Campazzo or Santiago Véscovi Vannet.

Sucatzky finished this game with 5 assists to 0 turnovers. He facilitated in transition and in the half-court with accurate outlet passes and precise pick-and-roll reads against New Zealand’s hedging defense. Sucatzky does a good job at guiding his bigs to their spots. The Argentinian point guard was dealing with a much larger Tall Blacks defense, but that presented few issues for him as a passer.

Sucatzky’s outlook is murkier as a scorer. He’s a creator for others, not himself. The Argentinian playmaker’s size will always be a challenge, especially in the United States. Watching him at FIU will be fascinating. Sucatzky stays low to the ground as a ballhandler, and he’s capable of changing speeds and even playing with some contact. Overall, I appreciate Sucatzky’s pace in the pick-and-roll; however, I worry that the advantages he creates are almost always predicated on driving. That will get tougher as the 19-year-old scales up levels of competition and length/size.

This applies on defense, as well. That end of the floor is more problematic right now. Sucatzky has no recovery tools and no margins for error.

Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil but moved to Córdoba, Argentina almost immediately. Has played basketball since he was 5 years old. Father is point guard Facundo Sucatzky, who played for Argentina during his 20+ year career. Mother is Virginia. Brothers are Tiziano and Theo. Made his Argentinian league debut when he was 15 for the Atenas club. Younger brother Theo now plays for same club. Left Argentina in Sept. 2022 for the United States. Played for the Miami Prep team while finishing his high school education at Divine Savior Academy. Wanted to go to the USA to have the chance to play in the NCAA and get his college degree. Former 2006 NBA Draft pick Guillermo Diaz was pivotal in making this happen, apparently. Had offers from Kansas and Southern Miss. Seemingly committed to the latter at one point in Nov. 2024. Committed to FIU in April 2025. Aspires to be the Argentina national team’s next point guard. Previously represented Argentina at U-16, U-17, and U-18 levels. Was selected for Basketball Without Borders Americas 2023. Was selected for the 2024 NCAA College Basketball Academy.