×
22 November, 2021
28 February, 2023
3 Michael Dixon (GEO)
09/06/2022
News
to read

30-point club: The top scoring performances in the European Qualifiers

MUNICH (Germany) - There have been some memorable performances in the FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers in recent years with 12 players in the 30-point club since 2017.

We have dipped into the history books to spotlight those displays, looking back on the 2019 qualifying campaign as well as the current edition of the European Qualifiers in preparation for the 2023 World Cup.

Vojtech HRUBAN (Czech Republic) - 30 points

vs. Finland - June 29, 2018

It wasn't the first time - and it certainly wasn't the last - in which Hruban put Czech Republic on his shoulders and produced a scintillating display. A 30-point haul came in a Second Round win at home to Finland with 12-of-18 shooting from the floor in helping secure the 77-73 success.

Dennis SCHRODER (Germany) - 30 points


vs. Israel - September 16, 2018

Schroder put on a show for Germany during Second Round action of the previous World Cup European Qualifiers campaign. The floor general played in 43 minutes of their 112-98 overtime victory over Israel and added 13 assists to a 30-point performance for a fine double-double.

Nikola IVANOVIC (Montenegro) - 30 points

vs. Ukraine - September 17, 2018

Ivanovic led Montenegro to an important 90-84 victory at home to Ukraine on their way to qualifying for the 2019 World Cup. He combined for 56 points with Bojan Dubljevic having scored 30 himself including a near flawless 11-of-12 from the free throw line in Second Round action.

Klemen PREPELIC (Slovenia) - 30 points


vs. Sweden - November 28, 2021

Prepelic stepped up to get Slovenia over the line during the first window of the current campaign. The experienced guard caught fire in the fourth quarter and finished with 30 points in an important 94-89 victory to complete a perfect start for his side. Prepelic is currently recovering from an arm injury and will miss the upcoming games.

Elvar FRIDRIKSSON (Iceland) - 30 points

vs. Italy - February 27, 2022

One of two Icelandic players on the list, Fridriksson put up 30 points in a valiant effort on the road in an eventual 95-87 loss to Italy, in Bologna. Fridriksson shot 70-percent from the floor in a strong display, just a couple of days following Iceland's historic win over the same opponents.

Nick CALATHES (Greece) - 31 points


vs. Georgia - September 16, 2018

Calathes stepped up to lead Greece to a dramatic one-point 86-85 triumph on the road back in September, 2018. Along with 5 rebounds and 8 assists, Calathes poured in 31 points in Second Round action to help Greece in their bid to make it to the 2019 World Cup with 7-of-11 shooting from three-point range.

Janis BLUMS (Latvia) - 31 points

vs. Slovenia - December 2, 2018

Blums was in an inspired mood in helping lift Latvia to an important 82-77 success over Slovenia in the Second Round of the 2019 World Cup European Qualifiers. The now retired guard did the majority of damage from the perimeter with seven three-pointers and just one field goal made - from one attempt - inside the arc, in less than 20 minutes of action.

David JELINEK (Czech Republic) - 31 points

vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina - November 26, 2021

Jelinek fired in 31 points for Czech Republic in the November window of the current campaign, though it was not enough to prevent a defeat on the road. The 31-year-old led the Czechs as they were unable to hold onto a 14-point lead with Bosnia and Herzegovina recovering in the second half to take a 97-90 victory.

Ludvig HAKANSON (Sweden) - 31 points


vs. Croatia - February 28, 2022

Hakanson produced a career-high effort for the national team with 31 points as Sweden came up short in a thriller against Croatia, in Norrkoping. The floor general was an efficient 9-of-15 from the floor, whilst handing out 7 assists as they were beaten 105-98 in double overtime in one of the most entertaining encounters so far.

Rihards LOMAZS (Latvia) - 33 points

vs. Serbia - November 25, 2021

Lomazs caught fire in the opening window of the World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers, though his 33-point outing proved to be in vain for Latvia. The shooting guard went 6-of-10 from three-point range in an agonizing 101-100 loss against Serbia in Belgrade. Lomazs nearly produced another 30+ point game four days later with 28 points against Slovakia.

Tryggvi HLINASON (Iceland) - 34 points


vs. Italy - February 24, 2022

Still fresh in the minds, Hlinason stuffed the statsheet with 34 points as well as 21 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead Iceland to a historic win over Italy in the February window. The towering center amassed an record-breaking efficiency total of 50 in the dramatic two-point triumph o home soil in Hafnarfjordur.

Michael DIXON (Georgia) - 36 points


vs. Serbia - November 27, 2017

Dixon holds the scoring record in the World Cup European Qualifiers after a 36-point effort for Georgia on the road against Serbia, in 2017. The American-born guard also dished out 9 assists, but was unable to lead his side to victory as they fell to a 105-87 defeat in Belgrade.

FIBA