Hometown: Tbilisi, Georgia
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 220
Position: Small Forward
Team: Pamesa Valencia
Class: 1991
Strengths
Right-handed… A 6’9” combo-forward has been one of the Euroleague’s more impressive prospects in an otherwise relatively quiet year for international prospects. Shengelia has good length and pretty well developed frame and decent athleticism comparable to other international players. He has the skill set of a natural small forward, but has added some muscle recently, helping him playing with his back-to-the-basket a bit more. Shengelia is an aggressive player, possessing a high motor, crashing the glass extremely well, averaging about 9 rebounds per 40 minutes out of the 3-spot… Offensively, he has an advanced ball-handler, capable of securing the rebound and initiating the fast break or aggressive and skilled enough to create his own shot from the perimeter in the half-court setting. He has a long first-step to get by his defender and has shown the ability to draw contact and get to the foul line a decent amount in the past.
Weaknesses
Shengelia’s offensive games surrounds his ability to knock down shots the perimeter- which remains streaky. He has shown an aptitude to hit shots off catch-and-shoot situations, but struggles pulling-up off the dribble. This season moreso than ever, Shengelia has been getting to the foul line about four times per 40 minutes, highlighted by his desire to pull-up rather than take the ball strong to the rim. Occasionally, he looks out of control when he puts the ball on the floor; his four turnovers per 40 minutes reflect this… Defensively, Shengelia is a tweener- not possessing the lateral quickness to matchup on the perimeter and not having the strength to be an effective defender inside the paint either; he actually gets backed down pretty regularly.
