If it was their last game of the World Cup Qualifiers, Cleveland Cavaliers youngsters Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic showed off their stuff in the finale.
In 23-year-old small forward Cedi Osman and 21-year-old center Ante Zizic, the Cleveland Cavaliers have two players on their roster that are representing their native country in the European World Cup Qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
After playing well in the World Cup Qualifiers preparation games, the two — along with Cavs center Tristan Thompson — played their first game of the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers last week.
Unfortunately, both Osman and Zizic struggled to make shots from the field in their World Cup Qualifiers debuts but on Monday, both would bounce back in a big way.
Cedi Osman
In Turkey’s 86-77 win over Slovenia, Osman tallied 19 points (8-20 from the field, 3-7 from three), 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 33 minutes.
The first number that stands out is the eleven boards, as Osman’s effort on the glass was impressive. With LeBron James’ departure, the Cavs need a wing that can be a consistent force on the boards; Osman has the requisite physical tools to be that type of player and has shown that he can be a solid glass-cleaner in multiple games.
Offensively, Osman’s in-between game wasn’t a pretty sight, admittedly. However, while continuing to show that he’s ready to be a three-point specialist for the Cavs, Osman made it a point to consistently get to the rim and with solid results.
His guard skills — ball-handling, passing and shooting — are pronounced and though nobody will be mistaking him for Ben Simmons or Luka Doncic, Osman is a full-blown point-forward. His court vision and passing prowess is going to important for the Cavs, who will likely be starting a rookie point guard and may opt to let the scoring-minded Jordan Clarkson be the backup point guard.
The defense Osman put on display was also impressive. His energy, awareness and physical profile (an athletic 6-foot-8 wing with a near 7-foot wingspan) allow him to play suffocating on-ball defense and, as he showed against Slovenia, jump passing lanes for a steal.
Ante Zizic
In Croatia’s five-point loss to Poland (79-74), Zizic was impactful across the board with 13 points (6-8 from the field), 8 rebounds (4 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block in 20 minutes.
Zizic didn’t show off much of his low-post scoring skills, like he did in the Las Vegas Summer League, but he did get into his bag.
Of his six field goals, one was a nice running hook, while another was a midrange jumper that he drilled without hesitation. When Zizic was making his presence felt under the rim, it was when he was establishing early position for rebounds.
To that point, two of his field goals were putbacks, which underscores the effort he was making on the offensive glass and establishing early position down low.
Zizic still isn’t the most agile big man but he could be the Cavs center most likely to hold his own against the league’s big men with traditional size. Players like Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.
With Cavs training camp set to begin next week, Osman and Zizic probably won’t be in their FIBA uniforms until the World Cup officially begins. If not, they’ve certainly made quite the impression for their home countries.