LJUBLJANA (Slovenia) - The FIBA U20 EuroBasket returns to Ljubljana for the first time since 2012, as 16 of Europe's top national teams battle for the continent's U20 crown.
Italy will face plenty of competition as the defending champions, including from three newly promoted teams from Division B: Croatia, Latvia and Türkiye, all nations with a strong track record at the U20 level.
The tournament will showcase many of Europe's top prospects, and we highlight 10 players who could make a major impact throughout the competition and lead their teams to U20 EuroBasket glory.
Mantas Juzenas - Lithuania
Power Forward
Birth Date: November 16, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in) Team: Saint Mary's Gaels (USA - NCAA)
Lithuania reached the Final in last year's U20 EuroBasket, and they'll return Juzenas, who was named to the All-Star Five after averaging 11.8 points per game. Juzenas stands out immediately with his ability to space the floor, converting off-movement jumpers against defensive pressure. He is also a creative ball-handler who can drive through traffic or utilize dribble moves to create space for jumpers.
After spending the 2025-26 season with Saint Mary's in the NCAA, Juzenas is poised to be one of Lithuania's most dangerous offensive weapons in Ljubljana, where the team will look for its first U20 title since 2013.
Kaan Onat - Türkiye
Point Guard
Birth Date: April 8, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 1.95m (6ft 5in) Team: Istanbul Anka Spor (TUR)
Onat will return to FIBA play after a breakout FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 campaign in which he was named to the All-Star Five, finished in the top five in both points and assists per game and, most importantly, led Türkiye to a podium finish. The 19-year-old is one of the best passers in his generation, routinely making advanced reads and deliveries to find open teammates. Onat can also create for himself via pull-up jumpers or by using his size to finish over smaller defenders around the rim.
Türkiye made a quick return to Division A after being relegated to Division B in 2024, which led them to miss their first Division A event in more than 20 years. With Onat returning, they should be expected to be one of the best teams in Ljubljana.
Amon Dorries - Germany
Forward
Birth Date: January 3, 2006 (20 years old) Height: 2.10m (6ft 11in) Team: Richmond University (USA - NCAA)
Germany's 2006 generation is one of the most successful international classes in recent memory, including titles at FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B in 2022 and FIBA U18 EuroBasket in 2024, as well as a silver-medal run at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. It would be fitting if this generation ended its run with Germany's first-ever U20 title, and it will be Doerries' turn to provide an interior presence.
The 20-year-old is coming off a breakout freshman season at Bucknell, where he averaged 16.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, proving to be a reliable interior scorer who can create his own shot in the post with his combination of size, touch and coordination. Doerries has also developed as a three-point shooter, making 33.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Urban Kroflic - Slovenia
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: March 28, 2006 (20 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Team: BC Mega Basket Beograd (SRB)
This generation of Slovenian basketball has been tremendously successful in international play, reaching the podium at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 and the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025. It is also loaded with talent. Kroflic, however, is the group's most recognizable name, as he has not only earned All-Star Five honors at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, but also already become a key player for Slovenia's senior national team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers.
Kroflic has not been part of Slovenia's pre-tournament preparations, as he was with the senior national team during the latest World Cup qualifying window. Once he joins the squad, his quickness attacking the basket, playmaking for others and efficiency as a three-point shooter will be valuable weapons for Slovenia in their quest for a first U20 title since 2004.
Panagiotis Lefas - Greece
Guard
Birth Date: February 06, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Team: Iona University (USA - NCAA)
Lefas made a tremendous impact last year at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket, where he finished in the top three in scoring after averaging 19.1 points per game and doing so on tremendous efficiency, shooting 40.5 percent from three and 89.6 percent from the free-throw line. Lefas' three-point shooting will be one of Greece's main weapons in Ljubljana. He's nearly automatic off the catch with his quick release, and has also been impressive on off-the-dribble jumpers, whether in isolation or coming off screens.
With Lefas as one of their key offensive contributors, Greece will try to capture an elusive fourth U20 title after inching closer in recent years, recording three straight top-five finishes, including two podium appearances since 2023.
Nikola Dzepina - Serbia
Power Forward
Birth Date: July 31, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 2.07m (6ft 9in) Team: Washington Huskies (USA - NCAA)
Dzepina made a strong impression in his debut with the Serbian national team at last year's FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, where he led the team in both points and blocks per game. The Washington commit is able to make an impact offensively both in the low post, where his size, quick footwork and soft touch allow him to score on post-ups, and on the perimeter, where he is a consistent three-point threat. With his size and length, he is also able to make an impact defensively as a rebounder and rim protector.
Serbia's run to the Semi-Finals in last year's edition of the tournament was its first in more than 10 years. With Dzepina as one of their main contributors, they certainly have the firepower to win it all in Ljubljana.
Matteo Accorsi - Italy
Guard
Birth Date: May 13, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 1.90m (6ft 3in) Team: Pallacanestro Bologna (ITA)
Italy became one of just five nations to reach the three-title mark in last year's FIBA U20 EuroBasket, and this year they will try to defend their title by returning impactful names like Theo Airhienbuwa and Stefano Trucchetti, while also adding Matteo Accorsi, who has been part of several successful Italian youth squads - collecting two silver medals and one bronze in FIBA youth competitions.
Accorsi should make an immediate impact with his three-point shooting. The 19-year-old has converted 42.9 percent of his threes on nearly 100 attempts across his three FIBA tournament appearances with Italy, and could be a key factor for a balanced Italian roster in its quest to become the only nation with four U20 EuroBasket titles.
Mohamed Diakite - France
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 8, 2006 (20 years old) Height: 2.05m (6ft 9in) Team: ratiopharm Ulm (GER)
Diakite had a breakout FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2022, where he was named to the All-Star Five after being one of France's top players during their bronze-medal run. After a stint with Saint-Quentin in France's top flight, the 20-year-old joined Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, where, despite playing limited minutes, he has shown flashes of his athleticism. His combination of 2.05m size, length, agility and mobility allows him to be a factor as a defender, rebounder and transition threat.
France is on an impressive run at the U20 level, coming off three straight podium appearances and seven consecutive top-five finishes. Diakite's elite athleticism could be a deciding factor as France looks to extend its successful U20 run.
Raul Villar - Spain
Point Guard
Birth Date: October 13, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Team: FC Barcelona (ESP)
Villar was one of the key players in Spain's title run at last year's FIBA U18 EuroBasket. He was truly a Swiss Army knife for the team, acting as the primary playmaker who set up the offense, found open teammates and utilized screens to attack the basket, while also contributing as a three-point shooter and, especially, as a defender, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.0 block per game.
Spain is one of the most successful nations in U20 history, including a remarkable run of 10 consecutive podium finishes between 2007 and 2016. Villar will attempt to help restore Spain to glory after the team failed to reach the Semi-Finals in each of the last three tournaments.
Codrut Dinu - Romania
Point Guard
Birth Date: February 26, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in) Team: East Texas A&M University (USA - NCAA)
Dinu has been part of some of Romania's most successful teams in recent FIBA competition, reaching the Semi-Finals at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B 2023 - where he was also the tournament's leading scorer and earned All-Star Five honors - and FIBA U18 EuroBasket, Division B 2025. Dinu is an aggressive scorer whose combination of creative ball-handling and quick footwork makes him a threat as a slasher. His gravity as a scorer has also helped him become a consistent playmaker for others, finding open teammates after attracting multiple defenders.
Romania had a successful return to Division A last year, avoiding relegation in only its third-ever appearance in the top flight. This year, with the addition of Dinu, they should be expected to take another step forward and compete for the title in Ljubljana.
FIBA