Every June there is the Adidas Eurocamp, one of the biggest grassroots events in the basketball world that probably doesn’t get the attention it deserves. While many eyes are on the events in America that are still loaded with talent but watered down as there are now so many different circuits, this Adidas Eurocamp event happens overseas where much of the top talent is concentrated to a single gym for a marquee three day showcase.
It was big news for the Gators when it was announced that one of their incoming players was picked to compete–Lithuanian Arturas Butajevas. Butajevas has been on radars as a top European player for a number of years, and though some of the enthusiasm has lessened since he left the Barcelona development track, his invitation to this event shows he is still one of the most intriguing players at his age group in Europe.
His inclusion also serves as a reminder that he is still a high school player–someone with a lot of upside, but not someone who should be viewed immediately through the same lens as the 22 year old European pros that are still coming over to the sport and providing graduate transfer level production immediately.
The bulk of the event was the scrimmages, which vary a bit from what happens at a lot of the American camps where players are put together the day of the first game. At Adidas Eurocamp teams have multiple practices together to gel and implement some structure, and it makes for games that are much more composed than some of the open gym feels you can sometimes see at showcase events.
Here were the stat lines for Butajevas in these games:
Game 1 (Vs 3SSB Select)
15:03 Minutes
2 Points
7 Rebounds
0 Assists
3 Turnovers
0 Steals
0 Blocks
1-4 FG
0-1 3FG
+2
Game 2 (Vs NextGen)
17:07 Minutes
6 Points
4 Rebounds
2 Assists
1 Turnover
3 Steals
0 Blocks
3-9 FG
0-3 3FG
-5
Game 3 (Vs NBL Next Stars)
23:18 Minutes
8 Points
7 Rebounds
2 Assists
3 Turnovers
3 Steals
0 Blocks
3-11FG
2-6 3FG
+8
What jumps out first is just how many minutes he played and how his minutes increased through the event, and his ability to command more time on the floor when there is so much depth and talent is a good sign. Butajevas’ defense was a strength and he looked mobile and fluid moving around the floor, contesting shots and getting in the passing lane for steals. The motor looked good, and he has a clear desire to rebound the ball and play defense.
On the negative side, Butajevas struggled to get into an offensive rhythm. His three-point shot looked a little hitchy and uncomfortable, something that did plague him during his season in Spain which is a surprise given how well he shot the ball earlier in his career–so this will be something to monitor. In the third game he was able to knock down a couple of threes which was massive and will hopefully fuel his confidence.
Even though Butajevas wasn’t able to score efficiently, his offensive IQ is sound and you can see just how well he’s been coached through some great programs in Europe and this is something that should help him as he adjusts to the college game. Playing alongside other high IQ players the ball moved with pace and players cut and filled and respaced in a way you’d never expect to see in a camp setting, and this mature style of basketball is something that Florida fans should be excited to see.
It’s clear that Butajevas has potential, and we saw that once again at the Adidas Eurocamp.