Maria Pendande (C 6-3, 2000) from Spain. After U16 FIBA Europe Udine 2016
Maria is a lefty inside player, with a regular length for a Center, but she has remarkable strength, good wingspan and interesting mobility/explosiveness. She needs to improve its D-slide quickness, but she runs really well the court and is able to play from contact.
In the O end, the Spaniard displays a good mobility and she is able to run really well form D to O. Her good hands allow her to catch the ball and grab boards. Pendande can seal the block with efficiency, and is capable to create plays from there: can put the ball on the floor, promising footwork back to the basket and she usually uses her shoulders to push the opponent before to make bank-shots. Maria works really well the O rebound and, as an unselfish player, always is looking for the better option after to grab it. Her dribbling skills are still raw, but she is able to create short shots close to the rim. Maria can put multiple screens in the same play as well.
In the D end, Pendande plays hard, and she doesn’t refuse getting fouls if it’s necessary: she holds or pushes opponents inside the zone without fear. Maria has a good boxing-out discipline, and her wingspan and aggressiveness become to Maria in a good rebounder. She is also a promising rim protector, despite of her lack of huge length. Although she has a quite good mobility, Pendande needs to improve her D-slide quickness, mostly in flash and recover situations.
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