RIJEKA (Croatia) - The FIBA U18 EuroBasket, Division B tournament will be held in Croatia for the first time ever, with the host nation finding itself in an unfamiliar position, as this marks only its third appearance in the second tier of Europe's U18 competition.
With 22 teams competing for the title and one of three promotion spots to next year's Division A tournament, there will be plenty of young talent on display. We selected 10 prospects who look primed to make an impact in Croatia.
Be sure to also check out our list of players to watch in the Division A tournament, taking place in Trentino, Italy.
Aaron Ona Embo - Belgium
Point Guard
Birth Date: April 14, 2009 (17 years old) Height: 1.80m (5ft 11in) Team: Prolific Prep (USA)
Ona Embo is coming into this tournament as one of the most decorated players in his age group, with two All-Star Five selections and the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B 2025 MVP award under his belt. The 17-year-old guard is one of the best offensive creators in the European youth ranks, possessing an elite combination of quickness and creativity with the ball in his hands, which allows him to get to the rim nearly at will.
His versatile shooting and his ability to create for others are also factors that make him a true offensive engine.
Belgium returns to Division B for the first time since 2023. Given the team's recent history in the tournament, having earned promotion in two of its last four appearances, and with Ona Embo's resume, it's hard not to see Belgium as one of the teams to beat in Croatia—and Ona Embo as the clear pre-tournament MVP favorite.
Mate Khatiashvili - Georgia
Point Guard
Birth Date: November 7, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 1.92m (6ft 4in) Team: Saski Baskonia (ESP)
Khatiashvili led Georgia in points and assists per game in last year's tournament and has consistently been one of the team's most productive players in every FIBA competition.
The Baskonia prospect is one of the most complete scorers in his age group, possessing a unique combination of speed, body control, and creative ball handling that makes him a constant threat going downhill. He's also a sniper from three-point range, having shot 38.2 percent over 20 games in FIBA youth competitions, and has developed into a creative playmaker in recent years.
Georgia is coming off a successful run at the U16 level, where the team earned promotion to Division A in 2023 and has managed to maintain its place in the top flight. This year, with one of the nation's most promising prospects in recent years, Georgia will look to replicate that success at the U18 level, where the team has yet to reach the Semi-Finals.
Djordje Djukanovic - Montenegro
Power Forward
Birth Date: December 13, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in) Team: Igokea m:tel (BIH)
Djukanovic has consistently been one of Montenegro's most productive players in every one of his FIBA tournament appearances. At just 14 years old, he broke out as one of the top rebounders at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division A 2023, before following that up by averaging 12 points and 14 rebounds per game at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B 2024, where he was named to the All-Star Five.
Djukanovic's productivity starts with his strength, which allows him, despite his lack of elite size, to impose himself in the paint as a prolific rebounder and efficient interior finisher. He complements that interior presence with an improving three-point game, proving to be a reliable perimeter shooter in recent years.
Montenegro is a Division B powerhouse, having finished outside the top five just once in its history. With Djukanovic as one of its key players, the team will attempt to become the first nation to reach the podium for a sixth time while securing promotion back to Division A.
Hubert Swirydowicz - Poland
Power Forward
Birth Date: June 14, 2009 (17 years old) Height: 1.97m (6ft 6in) Team: WKS Slask Wroclaw (POL)
Swirydowicz is coming off a standout performance with Poland at last year's FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B, where he earned a spot in the All-Star Five after leading Poland to the title. The 17-year-old wing makes an impact with his defensive versatility, being able to contest shots on the perimeter as well as block shots around the basket with his elite length, while also contributing offensively with his ability to attack the rim and make passes on the move.
Despite being one of only two nations with five Division B podium appearances, Poland is yet to win a U18 Division B title. Riding the momentum of last year's U16 Division B crown, the team will attempt to capture its first-ever U18 Division B championship in Croatia.
Marek Houska - Czechia
Point Guard
Birth Date: June 23, 2009 (17 years old) Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Team: BK Decin (CZE)
Houska was one of the top players at last year's FIBA U16 EuroBasket, where he emerged as one of the best shooters and passers in his age group and was named to the All-Star Five after leading Czechia back to Division A for the first time in more than a decade. The 17-year-old guard has proven to be a true offensive engine for Czechia, creating his own shot with his fluid, shifty ball handling and versatile shooting.
Houska has also established himself as a solid playmaker who can capitalize on the gravity he generates as a scorer.
Czechia was once a dominant force at the U18 Division B level, reaching three Finals between 2008 and 2012. The team, however, has yet to return to the podium this decade. With Houska projecting as one of the best players to come out of Czechia in recent years, they will have a complete offensive weapon in Croatia who could lead them back to Division A.
Yanu Slingerland - Netherlands
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: March 15, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 1.97m (6ft 6in) Team: Ratiopharm Ulm (GER)
The Netherlands will return its leading scorer from last year's tournament in Slingerland, who has not only been a standout for his national team but also one of the most productive players in Ratiopharm Ulm's youth system, as well as one of the top performers in this year's Youth Basketball Champions League.
Slingerland is a scoring wing who can dominate the glass and contribute defensively with his elite positional size and length, while also making an impact as a shooter, as he has made over 40 percent of his threes in each of his FIBA tournament appearances.
With his elite three-point shooting ability, Slingerland should be one of the keys in the team's quest to return to the top flight, something it hasn't accomplished since winning its only Division B title in 2018.
Damjan Danev - North Macedonia
Power Forward
Birth Date: July 14, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in) Team: KK Vardar (MKD)
North Macedonia will bring top-level experience in Danev, who was last year's leading shot blocker for the team at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket, Division A. The 18-year-old forward makes an impact with his size and length, which allow him to protect the rim and finish around the basket, but he has also shown the ability to contribute with occasional drives and spot-up jumpers.
North Macedonia returns to Division B after a one-year stint in the top flight. With Danev, the team will have an interior presence that could prove to be the difference-maker in its attempt to earn an immediate return to Division A.
Josip Santro - Croatia
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 22, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 2.07m (6ft 9in) Team: Zlatorog Lasko (SLO)
Croatia will return Santro, who brings valuable experience to this year's roster. He was a key rotation player during Croatia's title run at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B 2023 before taking on the team's leading scoring role at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division A 2024.
With his ideal size and length for the position, along with his ability to set screens, finish around the basket, and dominate the glass, Santro provides Croatia with a valuable screen-and-roll big who also contributes as a rebounder and occasional self-creator in the paint.
This will be Croatia's third appearance in Division B. After its relegation from the top flight in 2024, the team failed to secure an immediate return, finishing 10th in last year's Division B tournament. With Santro anchoring the paint, Croatia will look to earn promotion in front of its home crowd.
Reino Saivosalmi - Finland
Guard
Birth Date: January 08, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 1.88m (6ft 2in) Team: Helsinki Basketball Academy (FIN)
Finland will return its second-leading scorer from last year's tournament in Saivosalmi, who was also the team's leading scorer at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division A 2024. The 18-year-old guard is a dynamic playmaker both for himself and for others, creating his own shot with his quick, fluid ball handling while also exploiting the advantages he generates off the dribble to create opportunities for teammates.
Finland returned to Division B last year and finished 18th, the worst placement in the nation's history. This year, a country that reached the Semi-Finals in four of its previous five Division B appearances will look to Saivosalmi's offensive creativity to lead it back to Division A.
Benoni Andrason - Iceland
Forward
Birth Date: May 09, 2009 (17 years old) Height: 1.97m (6ft 6in) Team: KR Reykjavik (ISL)
Andrason was dominant for Iceland at last year's FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B, leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game. The 17-year-old is truly a do-it-all forward who can put the ball on the floor, dominate the glass with his strong frame, operate as a playmaking hub from the post, and create defensive events with his size and length.
While the shooting is still developing, Andrason has consistently found ways to be productive and has established himself as a key player for Iceland. He should once again be a major factor for a team looking to earn promotion to Division A for the first time in more than two decades.
FIBA