BELGRADE (Serbia) – The Group Phase of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 has come to a close after three action-packed days in Belgrade, which delivered plenty of standout performances, rising stars, and key storylines.
With the Round of 16 just around the corner, here are 10 players who stood out and could shape the defining stages of the tournament.
Diego Garavaglia - Italy
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 4, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in) Tournament Stats: 13.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
After tearing through the Group Phase, Italy is well-positioned to capture its first U18 title since 1990. The team remains undefeated with an average margin of victory of 27 points.
Their dominant play during the Group Phase has a lot to do with Garavaglia and his strong presence on both ends of the floor. The 18-year-old forward is making an impact with his ability to finish around the basket, knock down three-pointers, and contribute on the defensive end of the floor, where he's averaging 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
Jonas Boulefaa - France
Power Forward
Birth Date: January 16, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 2.05m (6ft 9in) Tournament Stats: 13.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 0.7 APG, 0.7 SPG
France finds itself in a familiar spot after the Group Phase: undefeated and considered as one of the contenders in Belgrade. That's largely thanks to the absurd depth of a roster that includes star prospects like Cameron Houindo and Hugo Yimga.
In a stacked roster, Jonas Boulefaa has stood out due to his efficiency and productivity, averaging 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 block in just 19.1 minutes per game. The 18-year-old forward thrives as a play finisher around the basket, but is also a threat on the perimeter with his ability to space the floor, attack closeouts and play within the flow of the offense.
Dovydas Buika - Lithuania
Power Forward
Birth Date: January 3, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 1.97m (6ft 6in) Tournament Stats: 14.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG
Buika delivered one of the tournament's best individual performances in a win over Serbia, where he flirted with a triple-double, putting up 20 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds.
The 1.97m wing has stood out with his versatile scoring, as he's a threat to get to the paint with his fluidity and craftiness as a ball-handler, while also being a factor as a shooter. His playmaking for others has also been impressive; he ranks third in assists per game in Belgrade, where he has shown reactiveness as a passer on the move and the ability to use his size to deliver passes over the top of the defense.
Cengiz Coskun - Türkiye
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: April 23, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Tournament Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG
With Türkiye's top prospect, Kaan Onat, going down with an injury early in their second game of the tournament, the team needed someone to step up and carry the load of creating shots on the perimeter—and Coskun answered the call. The 1.94m guard is leading the team in scoring, using his shifty ball-handling to get to the rim, converting tough jumpers from multiple levels of the floor, and acting as a secondary initiator for the team.
Despite the injuries, Türkiye finished the Group Phase with a 2-1 record and shouldn't be counted out: they remain one of the most talented squads in Belgrade.
Petar Ostojic - Serbia
Center
Birth Date: May 4, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 2.12m (6ft 11in) Tournament Stats: 11.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 0.3 APG
It took some time to get going, but Ostojic had a breakout performance in the final Group Phase game against North Macedonia, where he was absolutely dominant: 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocks, while shooting 9-for-12 from the field. Ostojic can act as a rim protector with his massive 2.12m size, but he's also coordinated and fluid on offense, being able to finish plays and do some self-creation in the low post.
Serbia has shown a balanced offense with Pavle Backo, Ognjen Srzentic, Petar Radovic and Ostojic all averaging double digit points. That depth, plus the home court advantage could carry them deep into the tournament.
Jayden Hodge - Belgium
Forward
Birth Date: April 30, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Tournament Stats: 19.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 SPG, 0.7 APG, 0.3 BPG
Hodge has been instrumental for Belgium, leading the team in points, rebounds, and steals. His 29-point, 9-rebound, 5-steal performance against Latvia wasn't just one of the best individual outings of the tournament: it was a man on a mission carrying his team to victory.
The 1.98m wing has been a difficult cover for opposing defenders with his blend of size, strength, and fluidity, which allows him to get to the rim almost at will. The jumper hasn't fallen yet—he's shooting just 1-for-12 from three-point range. If he starts making those shots, Belgium could be a dark horse during the knockout stages.
Diego Niebla - Spain
Power Forward
Birth Date: January 18, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in) Tournament Stats: 16.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 APG
Spain is firing on all cylinders, heading into the Round of 16 undefeated, having beaten every opponent by at least 28 points. On a roster loaded with winning experience in FIBA events, Niebla has emerged as an unlikely standout.
The 17-year-old is making a tremendous impact in his first appearance in a FIBA competition, leading Spain in points and rebounds per game, and doing it on incredible efficiency, as he's shooting 62.5 percent from the field and has gone 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
The combination of size, creativity, and shotmaking ability has been an x-factor for a Spanish team that looks like a top title contender in Belgrade.
Mathieu Grujicic - Germany
Guard
Birth Date: June 2, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 1.95m (6ft 5in) Tournament Stats: 22.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.7 SPG
Grujicic has been one of the most productive players in the early stages of the tournament, leading all scorers and ranking second in rebounds. The German wing has also stood out for his consistency, putting up over 20 points and 8 rebounds in all three Group Phase games.
The Ohio State commit has been a force in the open court, attacking the rim with his mix of size, speed, and fluidity with the ball in his hands. He has also shown impressive moments of shotmaking, being able to hit jumpers off the dribble, and has made an impact with his rebounding and passing on the move.
Stefan Joksimovic - Slovenia
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: November 16, 2008 (16 years old) Height: 2.01m (6ft 7in) Tournament Stats: 17.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Joksimovic, one of last year's FIBA U16 EuroBasket standouts, is making a similar impact in Belgrade despite being one of the youngest players in the competition. The 2.01m wing has been as versatile as he has been efficient with his shotmaking ability, being able to put pressure on the rim with his fluidity and footwork while also making his presence felt from range, converting tough shots off-the-dribble.
Joksimovic and Mark Morano Mahmutovic have been arguably the most prolific scoring duo in the competition, and they will be a major factor if Slovenia makes a deep run in the tournament.
Nikolas Sermpezis - Greece
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: May 3, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 1.96m (6ft 5in) Tournament Stats: 15.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 SPG, 1.3 APG
Despite their 1-2 record, Greece remains a team to watch in Belgrade. They had a tough draw, being placed in the same group as two of the strongest teams in the tournament: Serbia and Lithuania.
One of their key players, as they head into a difficult Round of 16 matchup against Slovenia, is Nikolas Sermpezis. The tournament leader in steals per game has consistently put pressure on opposing ball-handlers, generating turnovers and defensive stops with his positional size, lateral mobility, quick hands, and motor. Offensively, he has been an efficient finisher around the basket who can also contribute with his floor-spacing.
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