Hoops fans react to Armenian national team player Anto Balian’s performance vs. Alijah Arenas’ Chatsworth (Image: IG/anto.balian24) — “Cam Thomas jumper”: Hoops fans impressed by Armenian national team player Anto Balian’s performance vs. Alijah Arenas’ Chatsworth (Image: IG/anto.balian24)

“Cam Thomas jumper”: Hoops fans impressed by Armenian national team player Anto Balian’s performance at Hoophall Classic

Modified Jan 21, 2025 15:58 GMT

Class of 2025 prospect Anto Balian showed why he is a top prospect as he led the Pilibos Eagles to a tight 81–76 win against the Oakwood Owls on Friday. With an offer from Pepperdine, Balian has continued to impress this season.

The Armenian scored 53 points, marking his sixth consecutive game in which he has scored at least a third of the team's total points. On Sunday, the famous basketball page Ballislife posted highlights of his performance. Balian seemed unstoppable on the offensive end, converting tough shots from beyond the arc and wreaking havoc in the paint.

Fans showered praise on Balian in the comments, with some comparing his shot-making with that of Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Cam Thomas.

Hoops fans react to Armenian national team player Anto Balian’s performance at Hoophall Classic (Source: IG)

"Cam Thomas jumper," a fan wrote.

"Not a single easy bucket either, thats how you know he tuff," another fan wrote.

"Ima tryna get my shot to look like this. I love it," a fan wrote.

"Cam Thomas vibes," another fan wrote.

"I recommend mentioning if he led his team to a win or not. Mentions of leadership don’t come through enough in the captions," a fan wrote.

"The dude is a baller! He is destined to ball out of control in the euro league," another fan wrote.

"Lol, he nice but that might be his last dunk ever cause that look like it hurt and he only in highschool," one fan wrote.

"Damn near everything contested too," another fan wrote.

"Seen enough, send him to @dukembb," a fan wrote.

Anto Balian shares special bond with his teammates

Balian has attended Pilbios since preschool. Furthermore, he has played with plenty of his high school friends since childhood. While talking to Yahoo Sports, he shared the bond he has with his teammates:

“You’re more than friends,” Anto said. “You know them like your parents. It becomes a family, especially in the Armenian community, where everyone knows each other.”

In 27 games in his junior year, Balian averaged 30.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals.

Which program do you think Balian will play for?