Who I Watched (7/4): Jordan Smith Jr., Nik Khamenia, Zak Smrekar, Thiago Sucatzky
Evaluating prospects from the FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
I watched a few FIBA Under-19 World Cup games on July 4, 2025, including USA vs. Canada.
Here are notes on prospects I found interesting:
🇺🇸 Jordan Smith Jr. (USA | HS c/o 2026)
BIRTHDAY: Sept. 11, 2007
HEIGHT: 6-foot-3
BOX SCORE: 14 pts (5/10 FG, 3/7 2P, 2/3 3P, 2/4 FT), 5 REB (1o), 2 AST to 0 TOV, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 PF in 24 MINS
TEAM: Paul VI High School—VA (c/o 2026) / Team Takeover (AAU)
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Top 20 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft
Jordan Smith Jr. was everywhere against Canada. He was the USA’s second-best player, which is quite something on a roster featuring the likes of AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes, Koa Peat, Morez Johnson, etc.
The class of 2026 (HS) guard stuffs the stat sheet in every way thanks to his compact, bouncy build. That enables Smith to attack the basket aggressively as a slasher and as a cutter. He has definite grab-and-go potential, and Smith will get up for dunks despite not being the biggest guard at around 6-foot-3. The 2007-born American is a great positional rebounder, too.
I honestly consider Smith to be more of a do-it-all playmaker than a guard. He reminds me of Bruce Brown or a more explosive Josh Hart. The Paul VI prospect creates advantages with the ball, and he’s able to finish plays off-ball. That can mean acting as a cutter, then also hitting spot-ups and attacking closeouts. Smith is a powerful and physical straight line driver, but his shot must keep improving. The execution on his finishes can get a little out of control sometimes, as well.
As a facilitator, Smith is a connector, not a lead. That’s probably fine for today’s NBA since primary initiators on the best teams are increasingly wings or bigs; however, it could pose some limitations in the college game. I trust the reads he makes, though.
I’ll save words on Smith’s defense for a further evaluation in a different setting. The USA’s youth teams are typically stronger, bigger, longer, taller, and bouncier than their opposition, so that’s their defensive game-plan most of the time.
Father is Jordan Smith Sr., who played in Washington DC's Goodman Summer Basketball League. Played for St. Jerome Parish as an 8th grader before moving to Paul VI for high school. Dunked as a seventh grader. Actually studied at St. Francis Xavier, but his school didn’t have a team for the 2021-22 season. Was 6-foot-2 as a high school freshman (implies he won’t grow much), starter for Paul VI with D-I offers. Broke his wrist in his freshman postseason. As a sophomore, had offers from Georgetown, Kansas State, Maryland, Providence, Syracuse, Villanova, etc. Grew up watching Houston and Duke (was also teammates with Pat Ngongba and Darren Harris). Watched Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook. In 11 EYBL games with Team Takeover, averaged 19.5 PTS, 7.4 REB, 3.6 AST, 2.3 STL, 0.9 BLK on 56.4 FG% / 59.2 2P% / 36.8 3P% (7/19) / 66.7 FT% (40/60). Averaged 18.9 PTS, 6.4 REB, 4 AST as a junior.
🇺🇸 Nik Khamenia (USA)
BIRTHDAY: Dec. 27, 2006
HEIGHT: 6-foot-8
BOX SCORE: 10 PTS (2/5 FG, 1/3 2P, 1/2 3P, 5/6 FT), 3 REB (1o), 2 AST to 1 TOV, 0 STK, 1 PF in 11 MINS
TEAM: Duke (NCAA)
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Top 10 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft
I’ve been watching Nik Khamenia since early 2023, and I’ve always been impressed by his decision-making.
It’s clear that the SoCal wing dribble-pass-shoot skills to some extent. Now, it’s a matter of finding out how far they go. Even in this game, Khamenia put those tools on display. The incoming Duke wing can make catch-and-shoots, attack a closeout based off that, and make the correct choice after getting the step on his defender.
Khamenia is a decent mover when he has space, but he’s not particularly twitchy or explosive. He is big at around 6-foot-8, though, and he’s never been reliant on his athleticism to produce. I’m curious to see how the 18-year-old fare against NBA-caliber athletes in the NCAA.
I’m pretty high on Khamenia. I think that he can be a one-and-done mid-first rounder in 2026, but entering the 2027 draft would lock his NBA stock into the lottery or higher.
Full name is Nikolas Khamenia (pronounced HAH-MEN-EE-AH). Was born in Los Angeles. Father is Valery Khamenia, associate head coach at Los Angeles Valley College, from Belarus; played for George Washington University and overseas. Mother Alena is also Belarusian. Has an older sister Noelia, a younger sister Lucia (who also plays basketball and is a class of 2029 prospect), and a younger brother Lukas. Has been playing basketball since he was 2 years old. Was a San Antonio Spurs fan growing up. Played AAU ball for the Basketball Training Institute (BTI) program. Played all four years of high school basketball at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City, Los Angeles. Was 6-foot-5 as a high school freshman and wasn’t really featured until the end of his sophomore year. Averaged 18 PTS, 8.6 REB, and 7.6 AST as a senior. Won two CIF State Open Division titles, two CIF State regional titles, and one CIF Southern Section Open Division title in high school. Committed to Duke over Arizona, Gonzaga, UCLA, and North Carolina. Won the 2024 3x3 Men’s Under-18 World Cup with the USA. Previously represented USA at the U-18 5x5 level, as well. Was selected to the 2025 McDonald’s All-American and Nike Hoop Summit games.
🇸🇮 Žak Smrekar (Slovenia)
BIRTHDAY: Aug. 10, 2006
HEIGHT: 6-foot-7
BOX SCORE: 22 PTS (9/15 FG, 6/8 2P, 3/7 3P, 1/1 FT), 8 REB (2o), 4 AST to 3 TOV, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 PF in 29 MINS
CLUB: Krka (Adriatic League / Slovenia)
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Future mid-to-high major D-I commit who will play in Europe at a decent level
Slovenian wing Žak Smrekar doesn't need to dribble to be effective. His points vs. Israel largely came off-ball. The Krka prospect is a capable spot-up shooter and overall scorer with decent positional size and processing skills.
Smrekar doesn’t make home-run plays, but he’s aware of what’s going on around him before making a quick decision. He’s posting 6.2 assists per game at the U-19 Worlds so far. Those usually come as a connector in transition or spotting up.
Smrekar doesn't add much creation for himself. He’s not much of an athlete, either. At the college level, the 18-year-old Slovenian profiles more as a low-volume, high-efficiency supportive wing than a do-it-all type.
From Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Joined Krka in 2012. Played at ANGT 2023-24 Podgorica with SC Derby, averaging 7.8 PTS, 5.5 REB, 2.8 AST to 1.2 TOV in 24.7 MINS over 4 games. In 2024-25, appeared in 26 Adriatic League games and averaged 4.2 PTS, 2.2 REB, 0.5 AST to 1 TOV, 0.4 STL, 0.2 BLK, 2.7 PF in 14.1 MINS. In the Slovenian league, averaged 6 PTS, 2.4 REB, 1 AST to 0.9 TOV, 0.6 STL, 0.4 BLK, 2.3 PF in 17.9 MINS. Signed his first professional contract in June 2024. Previously represented Slovenia at the U-16 and U-18 levels. Debuted with the senior national team for the 2025 EuroBasket qualifiers.
🇦🇷 Thiago Sucatzky (Argentina)
BIRTHDAY: April 12, 2006
HEIGHT: 5-foot-10
BOX SCORE: 14 PTS (3/6 2P, 2/3 #p, 2/4 FT), 3 DREB, 15 AST to 2 TOV, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 PF in 28 MINS
TEAM: Miami Prep ➡️ Florida International
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: 4-year college player, then Europe
Incoming FIU freshman Thiago Sucatzky put on a point guard masterclass, finishing with 15 assists to just 2 turnovers.
The Argentinian floor general had a close-to-perfect game in terms of accessing angles and executing an array of tough deliveries while being under 6-feet tall. Sucatzky was deceptive with his eyes, intentional with his forays into the paint, and precise with all types of reads despite being the smallest player on the floor.
The 19-year-old will generate threes, find cutters, and make life easier for his bigs. Sucatzky is the player I’ve had the most fun watching at the U-19 Worlds so far.
Sucatzky also had his event-high in points while leading Argentina to a win against Cameroon.
This electric stepback three after chaining together a dribble combination was the biggest highlight.
I also really liked Sucatzky’s toughness in the second clip, as he competes for the defensive rebound and then gets fouled at the opposite basket.
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.