TULCEA (Romania) - There was a wealth of exceptional individual performances at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2026, Division B in Tulcea as an array of rising stars showcased their skills.
We've been taking a look at some of the most exceptional contributors in a tournament that will be remembered for some amazing action and highlight reels.
Here are 10 players who excelled on Romanian soil. Make sure you let us know who you think impressed most by casting a vote in the fan poll below.
Maya Zilbershlag - Israel
Guard
Birth Date: February 8, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 1.77m (5ft 9in) Tournament Stats: 17.1 EFF, 18.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.6 APG
Entering the competition with a big reputation because of her previous scoring exploits, the guard was outstanding again and scooped the MVP title as Israel were crowned Division B winners. Their promotion was built around her excellent scoring punch and leadership.
Gabija Galvanauskaite - Lithuania
Center
Birth Date: December 28, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Tournament Stats: 16.8 EFF, 12.3 PPG, 14.3 RPG
Expected to be one of the leading lights of the competition, the highly-rated Galvanauskaite didn't disappoint. She lit it up to ensure Lithuania won the promotion they were craving - collecting a fabulous tournament double-double and All-Star Five berth in the process.
Ioana-Vanessa Velcea - Romania
Guard
Birth Date: March 1, 2009 (17 years old) Height: 1.80m (5ft 10in) Tournament Stats: 17.4 EFF, 17.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.7 SPG, 4.3 RPG
All home hopes were pinned on the Romanian prospect and she delivered by helping her nation to move to Division A and reach the Final in front of their own fans. She produced an all-action effort and led the team at key moments to lock down an All-Star Five spot.
Maayan Gorin - Israel
Guard
Birth Date: August 26, 2009 (16 years old) Height: 1.77m (5ft 9in) Tournament Stats: 13.4 EFF, 18.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.9 SPG
Picked out as a player to watch heading into the competition, Gorin lived up to the expectations with an All-Star Five showing. Her firepower was a difference-maker for Israel. Always a threat from downtown, she also did a lot of great work finishing around the hoop.
Daria Ilies - Romania
Forward
Birth Date: August 5, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 1.80m (5ft 10in) Tournament Stats: 20.3 EFF, 19.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG
It was a sensational competition for home favorite Ilies, who celebrated both winning promotion with Romania and also landing a hard-earned All-Star Five place. That came after she led the host nation in the key areas of efficiency, scoring and rebounding.
Polina Shchukina - Azerbaijan
Forward
Birth Date: March 28, 2009 (17 years old) Height: 1.86m (6ft 1in) Tournament Stats: 25.4 EFF, 18.0 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.1 SPG
Shchukina showed why she's already impressed with the seniors in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers. She logged yet another amazing youth tournament contribution, finishing top of the efficiency chart with an eye-popping double-double.
Sophia Kuranovic - Austria
Forward
Birth Date: December 16, 2010 (15 years old) Height: 1.82m (5ft 11in) Tournament Stats: 18.3 EFF, 12.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.9 BPG
Despite being just 15 years old, the forward was on fire against her older opponents in the competition. While it was ultimately bittersweet with Austria just being squeezed out in the promotion race, Kuranovic made a brilliant impression with a tournament double-double.
Tamar Carmi - Israel
Small Forward
Birth Date: February 2, 2009 (17 years old) Height: 1.75m (5ft 8in) Tournament Stats: 17.9 EFF, 14.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.9 SPG
If anyone can feel disappointed they didn't make the All-Star Five then it's Carmi, who was just edged out by two of her Israel teammates. But she was a force for the winners of the competition riding high in efficiency, scoring, rebounding and steals for her team.
Rebekka Steingrimsdottir - Iceland
Guard
Birth Date: August 5, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 1.73m (5ft 9in) Tournament Stats: 15.4 EFF, 24.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.0 SPG, 3.1 APG
The guard was sensational, propelling Iceland to an eye-catching fifth-place finish, including 24 points in the last-day thriller with Greece. She led the tournament in scoring and also excelled defensively with a near competition high 5.0 steals per outing.
Elisa Gurkan-Douglas - Denmark
Forward
Birth Date: October 28, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 1.82m (5ft 11in) Tournament Stats: 18.7 EFF, 16.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG
The forward was outstanding for Denmark as they finished with a flourish to take 9th place. Their marquee baller only failed to get a double-double in one game. She signed off having recorded a tournament double-double, shooting the ball and finishing accurately throughout.
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