SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - FIBA U16 EuroBasket Division B is back in familiar territory, as it will be held in North Macedonia for the third consecutive year.
This year, the host nation will compete against 21 other teams for the Division B title and one of three promotion spots to next year's Division A tournament.
As with every edition of the tournament, there will be no shortage of talent on display in Gevgelija and Skopje. In this piece, we highlight nine players with a major chance to stand out in this year's competition.
Be sure to also check out our list of players to watch in the Division A tournament, taking place in Oradea, Romania.
Noah Santos - Finland
Forward
Birth Date: April 28, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in) Team: Pablo Laso Academy (ESP)
Santos played an important role in last year's Division A tournament, where, despite playing limited minutes, he was Finland's leading rim protector, averaging 1.1 blocks per game, while also making an impact with his floor spacing, shooting 56.3 percent from three-point range.
Santos' elite size and length allow him to make an impact around the basket as both a defender and finisher, but he also possesses the ball-handling and shooting skills to create for himself on the perimeter, whether by attacking the rim or making pull-up jumpers.
With a unique skill set that allows him to make an impact at nearly every level of the floor, Finland will have in Santos a tremendous two-way weapon as they look for a quick return to Division A in their first year back in U16 EuroBasket's second flight.
Luka Ukic - Croatia
Point Guard
Birth Date: June 21, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 1.84m (6ft 0in) Team: BC Split (CRO)
Croatia will once again have Ukic on its roster after he finished as the team's second-leading scorer in last year's U16 EuroBasket, and he should take on an even bigger role this year. Ukic creates advantages with his quick ball-handling ability, which he can capitalize on around the basket with his versatility as a finisher, or exploit to find teammates on the move.
A fixture in Division A, this will be only Croatia's third appearance in a Division B tournament. Ukic's experience and his ability to create for both himself and others will be major keys in the team's quest to return to the top flight.
Alexander Lukic-Gavric - Sweden
Point Guard
Birth Date: February 3, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 1.84m (6ft 0in) Team: Sodertalje (SWE)
Sweden will bring back Lukic-Gavric, whose averages of 14.7 points and 3.9 assists per game made him the team's second-leading scorer and playmaker. The Sodertalje prospect is a polished ball-handler who can get into the teeth of the defense with his creative dribble moves and advanced footwork, while also showing excellent vision as a passer and flashes of three-point shooting.
Lukic-Gavric projects as one of the top offensive engines in the competition and should be a major factor for a Swedish team looking to return to Division A for the first time since 2017.
Dion Shabani - North Macedonia
Forward
Birth Date: February 26, 2010 (16 years old) Team: BC CRN Drim (MKD)
Shabani was extremely productive in last year's tournament, averaging 10 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a team-best 1.8 blocks in only 18.9 minutes per game. The 16-year-old forward makes an impact with his size and length on both ends of the floor.
He's a prolific rebounder and shot blocker on defense, while also proving to be a solid screener, interior scorer, and stationary passer on offense.
With Shabani's elite tools and ability to impact the game around the basket, North Macedonia will be one of the teams to watch as it hosts the U16 EuroBasket Division B for the third consecutive year.
Aike Dzacar - Slovakia
Small Forward
Birth Date: January 19, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Team: Inter Bratislava (SVK)
Dzacar was one of the most productive players for Slovakia in last year's tournament, where he averaged 9.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and led the team with 2.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. The Inter Bratislava prospect is a slashing threat, creating drives with his smooth ball handling and consistently finding open space to finish around the rim with his body control and polished footwork.
Dzacar can also contribute as a three-point shooter and, especially, as a defender, where his combination of length and mobility allows him to contain drives and contest shots.
Slovakia is yet to play in Division A, but with Dzacar as one of the top two-way backcourt players in the competition, the team should be a dangerous one in North Macedonia.
Ilija Radovic - Montenegro
Point Guard
Birth Date: August 2, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 1.96m (6ft 5in) Team: SC Derby (MNE)
Radovic was one of the key pieces for last year's fifth-place Montenegro team, averaging 9.9 points while shooting 59.6 percent from the field, and 3.6 steals per game, a mark that ranked among the best in the entire competition.
The SC Derby prospect is a difference-maker on defense, using his size, length, and lateral mobility to contest shots, pressure opposing ball-handlers, and intercept errant passes on the perimeter. Radovic is also a factor on offense as a passer and occasional slasher.
Historically one of the strongest teams in the U16 second flight, Montenegro has finished in the top six in each of its Division B appearances. This year, the team will look for its second Division B title, with one of the tournament's best perimeter defenders serving as a valuable weapon.
Kormakur Jack - Iceland
Forward
Birth Date: February 18, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Team: Stjarnan (ISL)
Jack comes into the tournament after playing important minutes in last year's edition, where he averaged 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and led his team with 1.7 blocks per game.
The Stjarnan prospect is a strong forward who makes an impact defensively by containing drives and blocking shots around the basket, while also contributing offensively with his ability to post up and attack from short and mid-range.
It's been 20 years since Iceland's last appearance in Division A, and with Jack's versatile defense, prolific rebounding, and polished interior scoring, the team could contend for promotion in North Macedonia.
Marten Miilen - Estonia
Guard
Birth Date: June 06, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 1.87m (6ft 2in) Team: Tartu Ulikool Maks&Moorits (EST)
Miilen already saw minutes for Estonia in last year's Division A tournament, averaging 5.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in just 13.7 minutes per game.
Despite the limited playing time, Miilen was still able to showcase his ability to handle the ball, create for teammates, and, especially, his smooth shooting stroke, all of which should make him a versatile offensive weapon for Estonia in this year's tournament as the team looks to replicate the success of its last Division B appearance in 2024 - when it won the tournament, also in North Macedonia.
Artem Dordiai - Ukraine
Guard
Birth Date: March 9, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 1.91m (6ft 3in) Team: KZ DUSH ZOR (UKR)
Dordiai will return after averaging 3.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in limited minutes for Ukraine in last year's tournament. However, those minutes were enough to showcase his impressive combination of size and speed with the ball in his hands, making him a dangerous slasher and transition threat.
Ukraine is coming off a sixth-place finish in last year's tournament, its best final placement in nearly a decade. If the team can build on last year's success, it could be in contention for a promotion spot.
FIBA