MUNICH (Germany) - The basketball world will be tuning in to FIBA EuroBasket this summer as Europe's biggest international tournament commences from August 27 to September 14.
Stars will gather across four different cities in four separate countries, all vying for the title of EuroBasket champion. We have selected 25 players, with experience in the NBA and top European leagues, alongside the next generation, who will aim to make a name for themselves this summer.
Nikola Jokic - Serbia
Center
Birth Date: Feb 19, 1995 (30 years old) Height: 209 cm / 6'10" Team: Denver Nuggets (USA)
Nikola Jokic is arguably the best player in world basketball today, with a near-unlimited skillset of post moves inside and deadly range from outside. The three-time NBA MVP is a nightmare for any opposing team. Jokic posted monster numbers of 21.7 points and 10 rebounds at the previous EuroBasket before it ended abruptly at the Round of 16. Starting in Group A in Riga, is this the year that his numbers can finally lead Serbia to a EuroBasket gold?
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Greece
Forward
Birth Date: Dec 6, 1994 (30 years old) Height: 211 cm / 6'11" Team: Milwaukee Bucks (USA)
Dubbed The Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo boasts incredible athleticism, a scary wingspan, which allows him to score at will and alter shots at the other end, and a solid mid-range jumper. Antetokounmpo averaged a whopping 29.3 points and 8.8 rebounds at the previous EuroBasket. Still, despite his input, Greece has not won the crown since 2005 and has not won a Quarter-Finals game since taking third place in 2009. Can the Greek Freak alter that?
Luka Doncic - Slovenia
Guard
Birth Date: Feb 28, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 201 cm / 6'7" Team: Los Angeles Lakers (USA)
Since announcing himself on the world stage at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, the mere mention of Luka Doncic's name is guaranteed box office. Since Slovenia's victory at EuroBasket in 2017, Doncic has gone on to average 23.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists with highlights including a 47-point outburst against France and 36 points and 10 rebounds against Germany at EuroBasket 2022. What has Luka got in the locker this summer?
Kristaps Porzingis - Latvia
Power Forward/Center
Birth Date: Aug 2, 1995 (30 years old) Height: 221 cm / 7'3" Team: Atlanta Hawks (USA)
Kristaps Porzingis begins a new chapter of his career in Atlanta this coming season. But before that, the talented big man will look to further cement his legacy with his home nation at a EuroBasket in his own backyard. Porzingis appears in just his second EuroBasket, having averaged 23.6 points and 5.9 rebounds a game at the 2017 edition. Freakishly athletic, a deadly shooter when in rhythm, Porzingis is a threat at both ends of the floor, and he will look to keep Latvia at home for the duration of the tournament.
Lauri Markkanen
Power forward/Center
Birth Date: May 22, 1997 (28 years old) Height: 213 cm / 7'0" Team: Utah Jazz (USA)
If the EuroBasket preparation games have been anything to go by, then Lauri Markkanen is going to be one of the most exciting players in this tournament. So far, the Utah Jazz man has dropped a combined 79 points on Belgium in their first two games, showcasing his explosive athleticism and aggressive attacking style of play. Now, heading into his third EuroBasket, Markkanen averaged a mind-boggling 27.9 points at the last edition and is keen to compete for medals this time.
Franz Wagner - Germany
Small forward
Birth Date: Aug 27, 2001 (23 years old) Height: 208 cm / 6'10" Team: Orlando Magic (USA)
After making his senior international debut at the previous EuroBasket, Franz Wagner has been one of the driving forces behind the world champions' offense. The Orlando Magic man has posted 16.6 points a game and is widely regarded as one of the best players driving to the basket. His patience, change of speed, and footwork in getting to the basket are unmatched, and he will look to utilize this in Tampere.
Nikola Vucevic - Montenegro
Center
Birth Date: Oct 24, 1990 (34 years old) Height: 213 cm / 7'0" Team: Chicago Bulls (USA)
In what looks likely to be Nikola Vucevic's final EuroBasket, he will want to end it on a high note. At 34 years old, Vucevic still possesses a dominant presence inside. At his last EuroBasket in 2017, he posted 14.5 points and 8 rebounds a game, and most recently, he averaged 19.8 points and 8.8 rebounds at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023. He still has gas left in the tank, and he will look to put on a show in Group B.
Jonas Valanciunas - Lithuania
Center
Birth Date: May 6, 1992 (33 years old) Height: 211 cm / 6'11" Team: Denver Nuggets (USA)
A mainstay of the Lithuanian national side, Jonas Valanciunas enters his sixth EuroBasket tournament, with this edition potentially his last opportunity to make a mark on this stage after two runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2015. The 33 year old still produces big numbers on the big stage. He averaged 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last campaign at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and has posted double-double averages at his last two EuroBaskets.
Jusuf Nurkic - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Center
Birth Date: Aug 23, 1994 (30 years old) Height: 214 cm / 7'0" Team: Utah Jazz (USA)
Since Jusuf Nurkic burst onto the international scene in 2012, he has averaged close to a double-double with Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the last EuroBasket, he averaged 16.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game. He is always a double-double threat, but he can also pass the ball well and can find the right player for the right shot. The Bosnians failed to advance past the Group Phase at the previous EuroBasket, but they have a good chance of progressing this year. Nurkic will have to be on his game.
Alperen Sengun - Türkiye
Power forward/Center
Birth Date: Jul 25, 2002 (23 years old) Height: 206 cm / 6'9" Team: Houston Rockets (USA)
Coming off a tremendous season with the Houston Rockets, where he averaged a double-double, Alperen Sengun will be Türkiye's primary offensive weapon. With his versatility inside and soft touch, he is also a tremendous passer, always getting players involved. He posted 16.5 points and 8.2 rebounds at the previous EuroBasket and will look to improve those numbers, leading his nation to surpass its second-place finish in 2001.
Deni Avdija - Israel
Forward
Birth Date: Jan 3, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 203 cm / 6'8" Team: Portland Trailblazers (USA)
Deni Avdija will lead a reliable supporting cast as Israel aims for its first podium spot since 1979. Avdija averaged 14.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game at the previous EuroBasket, but Israel failed to make the Round of 16. Fast forward to this summer, Avdija has experience under his belt and more confidence in his all-around game, even though he's only 24. He will aim to utilize his playmaking skills and strong offensive presence to excite the crowds and, more importantly, the team.
Dennis Schroder - Germany
Point Guard
Birth Date: Sep 15, 1993 (31 years old) Height: 188 cm / 6'2" Team: Sacramento Kings (USA)
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP needs no introduction. A walking bucket in so many different ways, the crafty point guard dictates the flow of the game to suit him and his team, as his style of play has propelled Germany to one of the top teams in the world right now and one of the EuroBasket favorites. At the last edition, he posted 22.1 points and 7.1 assists per game. His previous outing with the national side was at the Paris 2024 Olympic Basketball Tournament, where he averaged 17.2 points and 7.5 assists a contest.
Bogdan Bogdanovic - Serbia
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: Aug 18, 1992 (33 years old) Height: 197 cm / 6'6" Team: Los Angeles Clippers (USA)
Veteran Bogdan Bogdanovic will form a duo with Nikola Jokic that will definitely frighten the opposition when they take to the floor in Riga for Group A. Bogdanovic brings a strong three-point shooting, as well as a high-level basketball IQ that benefits his teammates. He enters his fourth EuroBasket having averaged 20.4 points and 5 assists in 2017. He missed the 2022 edition due to a knee injury, so he will be keen to hit the ground running.
Santi Aldama - Spain
Power Forward
Birth Date: Jan 10, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 211 cm / 6'11" Team: Memphis Grizzlies (USA)
Since making his debut at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Santi Aldama has become one of Spain's primary threats at both ends of the floor. Ahead of his first EuroBasket appearance, Aldama brings a deadly inside-outside weapon, having shot 45 percent from three-point range at the 2024 Olympics, averaging 17.7 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. He will lead a Spanish team looking to defend their EuroBasket title and give coach Sergio Scariolo the perfect send-off.
Simone Fontecchio - Italy
Small forward
Birth Date: Dec 9, 1995 (29 years old) Height: 203 cm / 6'8" Team: Miami Heat (USA)
Simone Fontecchio is undoubtedly the new cornerstone of this Italian side, undergoing a generational adjustment. Sure, the likes of Danilo Gallinari and Nicolo Melli are there, but they will take on a new role within the team, giving the keys to Fontecchio, a proven scorer who can confidently hit threes and drive to the rim. His underrated athleticism and vastly improving defensive capabilities make him an asset to any team. At the last EuroBasket, the Miami Heat man averaged 19.4 points a game, leading Italy to a fourth straight Quarter-Final appearance.
Cedi Osman - Türkiye
Guard
Birth Date: Apr 8, 1995 (30 years old) Height: 200 cm / 6'7" Team: Panathinaikos BC (GRE)
Now entering his fourth EuroBasket, Cedi Osman is the veteran of this Türkiye team that will be based around Sengun. However, Osman remains a threat on any given day. A player who can shoot the ball well, especially in the catch-and-shoot, and play tenacious defense, he will still put up numbers for Türkiye. At the last EuroBasket, Osman averaged 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and since he joined the senior team in 2014, he has averaged 14 points.
Dzanan Musa - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Small Forward
Birth Date: May 8, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 202 cm / 6'8" Team: Dubai Basketball (UAE)
If healthy, Dzanan Musa would form a formidable partnership with Jusuf Nurkic and look to drive Bosnia and Herzegovina beyond the Group Phase at EuroBasket, and if Musa is on form, the team will stand a great chance. A known scorer, the versatile wing loves to finish in contact and draw fouls to get his points from the free-throw line. He averaged 21.4 points at EuroBasket 2022. His last outing with the national team saw him post 22.8 points at the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
Guerschon Yabusele - France
Forward
Birth Date: Dec 17, 1995 (29 years old) Height: 204 cm / 6'8" Team: New York Knicks (USA)
A high basketball IQ player who has a lot of energy, is athletic, and is a rapid rim protector. Guerschon Yabusele is a key figure for France this summer, and he has already shown his worth with highlight plays at both ends of the floor in preparation games against Great Britain and Spain. Yabusele averaged 14.8 points on 55 percent shooting at EuroBasket 2022, including 13 points and 6 rebounds in the Final against Spain, and will look to bring some high intensity this summer.
Sandro Mamukelashvili - Georgia
Power forward/Center
Birth Date: May 23, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 211 cm / 6'11" Team: Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Perhaps one of the most agile big men in the tournament, Sandro Mamukelashvili, can be a matchup nightmare with his deft shooting touch, or fierce competitive play under the basket. For a player of his position, he rarely turns the ball over and makes the right decisions almost every time at both ends, making him a good one to watch and learn from if you're a younger player. At the last EuroBasket, he averaged a double-double with 15.1 points and 11.0 rebounds, and despite being in a tricky Group C, he could stand to put up better numbers and progress further this summer.
Goga Bitadze - Georgia
Center
Birth Date: Jul 20, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 213 cm / 7'0" Team: Orlando Magic (USA)
Where Mamukelashvili's game is more suited to the modern game, Goga Bitadze is more of a traditional big man, but he can pose a threat as his shooting touch is not to be underestimated. Bitadze's strength, however, is under the basket. A versatile center known for his rim protection and pick-and-roll defense, along with his ability to score inside and out, the big man is key for Georgia when it comes to offensive rebounding and finishing plays around the rim. Competing in his second EuroBasket, Bitadze posted 10 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.
Alex Sarr - France
Forward
Birth Date: Apr 26, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 213 cm / 7'0" Team: Washington Wizards (USA)
Appearing in his first major senior tournament for France, 20 year old Alex Sarr has a lot to prove and possesses the talent to showcase his abilities. His ability to defend on the perimeter is his best defensive trait, plus he's agile for a player of his height. He boasts explosive athleticism, which we saw in abundance when he played at the U17 and U19 FIBA Basketball World Cups in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Now, he gets his chance to make his mark on the senior stage.
Zaccharie Risacher - France
Forward
Birth Date: Apr 8, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 203 cm / 6'8" Team: Atlanta Hawks (USA)
Another of the young stars to watch at EuroBasket, France's Zaccharie Risacher, averaged a double-double of 15.4 points and 10.9 rebounds at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023, bringing an exciting brand of fast-paced, all-action basketball where he is expected to flourish. If he takes advantage of his opportunity, this French side, with one eye on the future, will be its usual formidable force.
Vit Krejci - Czechia
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: Jun 19, 2000 (25 years old) Height: 199 cm / 6'6" Team: Atlanta Hawks (USA)
With Tomas Satoransky there to help mentor and support the Atlanta Hawks guard, Vit Krejci could see this as his opportunity to take the reins for the Czechia team. A player who thrives in open space, Krejci's three-point shooting has seen tremendous improvement since the last EuroBasket, and his playmaking abilities will benefit his teammates. Perhaps, this could be his breakout party.
Neemias Queta - Portugal
Center
Birth Date: Jul 13, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 211 cm / 6'11" Team: Boston Celtics (USA)
It's Portugal's first appearance at EuroBasket since 2011, and Neemias Queta will be eager to show that his nation belongs on the big stage. A walking double-double threat on any given day, he has always been there when needed, having played the Pre-Qualifiers for this event back in 2023. He averaged 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, with a focus on dominating in the paint. He does his damage from close range and has been working on his mid-range game too, so don't be surprised to see him break out some moves away from the hoop.
Pelle Larsson - Sweden
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: Feb 23, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 194 cm / 6'4" Team: Miami Heat (USA)
Pelle Larsson will be the key figure in this Swedish team that heads into EuroBasket with nothing to lose and everything to gain. A smart, unselfish player, Larsson can score at will, especially as a cutter and on catch-and-shoot, which he thrives on. Larsson is also a very underrated defender, particularly guarding the ball handler, which can lead to steals and easy scores. Larsson will look to excel as the leader of a Sweden side that also boasts Barra Njie, Melwin Pantzar, Viktor Gaddefors, Denzel Andersson, and Adam Ramstedt.
FIBA