Who I Watched (7/2): Omer Mayer, Amadou Seini, Ronny Ewanke

Evaluating Israel vs. Cameroon from the FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

I watched Israel vs. Cameroon on July 2, 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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🇮🇱 Omer Mayer (Israel)

• BIRTHDAY: Oct. 8, 2006

• HEIGHT: 6-foot-4

• BOX SCORE: 33 PTS (12/26 FG, 7/14 2P, 5/12 3P, 4/5 FT), 5 DREB, 7 AST to 1 TOV, 4 STL, 0 BLK, 1 PF in 38 MINS

• CLUB: Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) ➡️ Purdue

• PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Multi-year college player who is more likely to carve out a career in the Euroleague than in the NBA

Omer Mayer had an awesome game, scoring 33 of Israel’s 86 points, but I’m taking it slowly with the 18-year-old guard.

Mayer is definitely talented; however, I have questions about how he produces. That starts with how he primarily wanted to score in this game, which is with midrange pull-ups.

To be clear, Mayer can definitely score with these. He’ll use a screen and get to the free throw line or elbow before pulling up smoothly. The Israeli prospect can also snake a screen or bump off his defender into a stepback.

At the same time, Mayer almost always needs a screen. I have serious doubts that he’ll be able to create 1-on-1 separation at the next level, let alone the NBA. That’s not necessarily an issue (or a huge one), but it makes him pick-and-roll reliant. If that’s the case, Mayer needs to take less time on the ball. I’m not sure that he can do that due to his limited first step, twitch, and bounce.

On an adjacent note, threes are better than twos.

If Mayer’s shot diet is going to slant towards jumpers off the bounce, then he needs to be more perimeter oriented. I’ve mentioned this with Ben Saraf, actually, and they’ll likely share the floor for the Israeli national team in the future.

At this juncture, Mayer looks much more comfortable shooting twos.

I’m also tracking to whether Mayer can play + score on and off the ball.

Admittedly, I’m still truly digging into his tape, but what I’ve seen so far leads me to believe that he really prefers to be on-ball.

For Mayer, playing off-ball will probably mean taking catch-and-shoots + spot-ups, rather than cutting.

On the ball, it’ll be about how and if he creates advantages.

I like Mayer in the pick-and-roll. The Israeli guard largely executes his reads under control, although he can also get fancy with his deliveries here and there. Mayer will be a steady facilitator in college, and I’m curious to see how he plays with Braden Smith as a freshman.

However, Mayer a limited athlete when it comes to playing in traffic and finishing over length. I think a floater will be important for the incoming Purdue freshman in college. He’ll also need to show me that he can manufacture space on a regular basis against NCAA defenders with NBA-caliber physical tools.

Born in Ramat Gan, Israel; lives in Ramat HaSharon. Also played soccer and tennis growing up. Joined Maccabi Tel Aviv at 8 years old (3rd grade). Was promoted to the U-18 team at 15. Debuted with the club’s senior team during the 2023-24 season. Played the following ANGTs: 2021-22 Patras, 2021-22 Belgrade, 2022-23 Zadar, and 2023-24 Belgrade. Was selected for Basketball Without Borders Europe 2023. Signed a contract until 2027 in Sept. 2024. In the 2024-25 season, played 28 games across all leagues with Maccabi Tel Aviv and averaged 4.6 PTS, 1.1 REB, 2.2 AST to 1.6 TOV, 0.1 STL, 0.0 BLK, 1.1 PF in 10.4 MINS on 40.2 FG% / 31.9 3P% / 89.5 FT%. Was selected for the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit. Majoring in exploratory studies at Purdue. Previously represented Israel at U-16 and U-18 levels. Was recruited by Duke and Auburn before committing to Purdue.

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🇨🇲 Amadou Seini (Cameroon)

• BIRTHDAY: Jan. 5, 2007

• HEIGHT: 7-foot-1

• BOX SCORE: 18 PTS (7/10 2P, 0/0 3P, 4/12 FT), 22 REB (15d/7o), 0 AST to 2 TOV, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 1 PF in 35 MINS

• CLUB: Varese Academy (Italy)

• PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: High-major D-I recruit

  • Varese Academy coach Federico Danna said: "A big boy who, in my opinion, has only one final destination: the NBA."

Amadou Seini was late to the game of basketball (more information below), appears to have developed at a pretty quick pace while having a mature head on his shoulders, and has impressed across various age levels and contexts. In my opinion, the Cameroonian big can play for a strong D-I program in the future.

Seini finishes with power and poise around the rim. He has secure hands to catch tough passes after securing deep position near the rim on seals. Seini makes multiple efforts, meaning that he’ll rebound his own misses or just keep being stubborn until he scores or gets fouled. Still, the Varese prospect is relatively raw, so he can get rushed against pressure.

I’d like to see the 2007 prospect become more physical with his screens. Seini has a big catch radius, though. He had a nice short roll pass against Israel which piqued my interest, but he is almost strictly a play finisher right now.

Seini’s above-the-rim athleticism and always-running motor applies to his offensive rebounding, as well. He is averaging a double-double at the U-19 World Cup, although it’s worth noting that he had 22 REB in this game, 24 REB vs. Australia, and then just 5 REB and 6 REB vs. USA and France, respectively.

Seini is a play finishing big, so he needs to improve his free throw shooting. Otherwise, teams will hack him off the floor when it matters most.

Seini was 4/12 from the charity stripe vs. Israel. For the tournament, he is at 43.5 FT% (10/23).

Seini is huge at over 7-feet, so his defense really starts there. The Cameroon center’s mere presence in the paint can discourage shots, rush decisions, and kill attacks.

Cameroon uses Seini strictly in drop. He is very paint-bound, but he’s effective at the basket. The 18-year-old is a strong defensive rebounder to close out possessions.

Going forward, I want to see more activity from Seini’s hands. He has solid hips and decent feet, but I think he keeps his arms to his side too often. This is a matter of technique, and it is teachable.

From Mayo-Danay, Cameroon. Started playing basketball in Maroua. Started playing basketball when he was 13 years old and measured at 210cm (about 6-foot-10). Was one of three Cameroonian prospects to join Varese in January 2023. Process reportedly went through Italian diplomats in Yaounde, Cameroon. In March, was the top scorer of the Coppa Carnevale Piombino. Debuted for Cameroon’s senior national team in Nov. 2024 against Gabon in a 2025 AfroBasket qualifier at 17 years old. Previously represented Cameroon at U-18 AfroBasket, averaging 12 PTS / 15.7 REB / 4 BLK and being named to the tournament’s All-Star Five.