ALYTUS-KLAIPEDA (Lithuania) - There will be an array of rising stars looking to find a high gear and make a splash for their respective nations when this year's edition of the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket tips off in Lithuania.
With exciting games and plenty of highlights reels to look forward to, you can also use the fan poll below to cast your vote and tell us who you think will have the biggest impact in the tournament.
Here are just some of the leading lights to look out for.
Sara Okeke - Spain
CENTER / FORWARD
Birth Date: November 16, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm
Okeke showed out in La Palma last year to take hosts Spain to U18 title success as MVP. Her 23-point effort in the Final against Finland underscored her impact and potential. Athletic and with dunking ability, she was a FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 All-Star Five member. Set to suit up for USC in the NCAA, she might also push to make the senior Spanish team sooner rather than later.
Lena Bilic - Croatia
GUARD
Birth Date: May 2, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm
A phenomenal talent, Bilic has had a stellar past 12 months. She was unstoppable earning Croatia promotion from U18 Division B as the tournament's top-scorer with 23.6 points per game, including an eye-popping 41 points in the Third Place Game. Using her strong skills and fantastic IQ, she then won the NCAA Championship with UCLA as the Bruins went 37-1 in a historic and memorable campaign.
Lourdes Da Silva Costa - Sweden
FORWARD
Birth Date: November 1, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.85 cm
Averaging a superb double-double of 15.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, Da Silva Costa locked down an All-Star Five place at last year's edition. With energy, power and poise, her 36 points and 16 boards against Latvia was sensational as she proved to be a major force behind Sweden making the last four. She has since been honing her skills at the University of Alabama and could produce a big show again.
Evelina Otto - Latvia
FORWARD
Birth Date: August 2, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 6ft 2in / 1.88 cm
Otto was outstanding at the 2025 edition in Matosinhos as she paced Latvia's campaign with a superb tournament double-double of more than 17 points and 11 boards per outing. Expect the same level of impact this time around and especially after gaining experience in the NCAA with the University of Utah. The forward has also logged some minutes with the senior team in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Qualifiers.
Gal Raviv - Israel
GUARD
Birth Date: December 25, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.78 cm
Rav brings Israel some phenomenal scoring power and especially from downtown. A walking bucket, she posted a spectacular FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 with 26.0 points per game and became the record scorer in the competition history. She then stood out with almost 23 points per outing at U20 last year and has been balling Stateside at College with Miami Hurricanes.
Sintija Aukstikalnyte - Lithuania
GUARD
Birth Date: September 18, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.77 cm
A hugely exciting talent, Aukstikalnyte will play a staggering fourth edition of U20 and it could have been five in a row had she not missed 2023. A big-time scorer who had almost 19 points per game last year in Matoshinhos when her team won a first ever U20 medal, she has also played for the senior side in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Qualifiers and also in EuroLeague and EuroCup Women with Kibirkstis-TOKS.
Shiloh Kalenga - Sweden
FORWARD
Birth Date: April 2, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.84cm
Crowned MVP of the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket, Division B last year after dropping 29 points in the Final against Germany to celebrate promotion in style, Kalenga should flourish in Division A. Even if it is stepping up an age group to U20, she has the all-around skill-set and physicality to be a standout. Her next step after Lithuania this summer will be to suit up for Kansas City in the NCAA.
Sarah Cisse - France
CENTER
Birth Date: January 26, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm
A powerful inside player who is efficient and tough to play against at the other end of the floor, Cisse is a great prospect. Her displays at youth level have been so consistent and even if the numbers are not always spectacular, it's her ability to anchor the paint for her team that matters. She has also made positive waves in EuroCup Women, taking a monthly MVP award last season with BLMA and also starring in the French League.
Clara Bielefeld - Germany
GUARD
Birth Date: August 28, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.91 cm
The talent, maturity and potential of Bielefeld was underlined when she posted a FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 debut with the co-hosts. While her court time was modest, playing on home soil was a thrill and she looks a lock to emerge as a leader at the senior level. A skilled and versatile guard, her height is striking and getting better all of the time, she comes into the competition have played in the college game with TCU.
Gina Garcia - Spain
GUARD
Birth Date: April 2, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 5ft 8in / 1.74 cm
It's not always about the biggest numbers, with Garcia a team-orientated baller who makes her side tick brilliantly due to her intensity, composure, skills and smarts. Miles more mature than her actual years, she was crowned MVP at the 2025 edition and she also showed out at U18 with a place in the All-Star Five. The guard has spent her time this past season playing College ball with the University of Kansas.
Daniele Paunksnyte - Lithuania
GUARD
Birth Date: July 21, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.78 cm
The do-it-all guard could take the home nation to glory. Paunksnyte was unreal at the event in Matosinhos last year, making the All-Star Five after taking Lithuania to that memorable maiden medal. She also posted a historic 43-point game against Israel, setting a new scoring record at the event. She's since gained senior minutes for her country and played in EuroLeague and EuroCup Women with Kibirkstis-TOKS.
Tjasa Turnsek - Slovenia
CENTER / FORWARD
Birth Date: May 16, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 6ft 2in / 1.88 cm
Turnsek has arguably gone under the radar a little and yet heads into this edition, having averaged an eye-catching 25 minutes and 8 points per game for the senior team in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers. The experience she has gained and trust shown in her by Coach David Gaspar speaks volumes. She will now appear at her third U20 edition and be a real leader like always in the frontcourt.
FIBA