HERAKLION (Greece) - The FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2025 is now in the books, and it crowned a new champion. Italy claimed their first title in more than a decade after an impressive final stretch of the tournament, where they defeated three of the most competitive teams: Israel, Serbia, and Lithuania.
As with every youth competition, there are a number of standout performers who emerge as intriguing prospects for the next level.
Here, we'll highlight 10 players from Division A who made a strong impression in Heraklion, along with the MVP from the Division B tournament in Yerevan.
Francesco Ferrari - Italy
Small Forward
Birth Date: August 18, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.04m (6ft 8in) Tournament Stats: 15.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Italy is back on top, winning their third U20 title in Heraklion, and their first one since 2013. It was a balanced team effort, with multiple players contributing in nearly all aspects of the game. Among them, Ferrari was the most productive player, leading the team in scoring and coming alive in the final two games of the tournament, with a 21-point outing in the Semi-Finals against Serbia and a 26-point, 4-rebound performance in the Final against Lithuania.
Ferrari was able to make an impact with his combination of size and fluidity with the ball in his hands, which made him a threat as a slasher and when leading the break. The jumpshot also came alive in the final stretch of the tournament, where he shot 6-for-12 from three-point range across the final two games. His ability to rise up to the occasion made him a more than justified MVP in Heraklion.
Pavle Nikolic - Serbia
Small Forward
Birth Date: September 4, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in) Tournament Stats: 16.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Nikolic earned an All-Star Five nod at Heraklion by making an impact on multiple levels of the floor. His combination of size, strength, speed, and fluidity with the ball in his hands made him a threat as a driver, as he was able to attack the rim and finish against contact in the paint with efficiency. He was also a threat from the three-point line, where he shot 44.4 percent, and was able to convert jumpers both off the catch and on the move.
The 19-year-old forward finished the tournament as Serbia's leader in points and rebounds per game. His productivity and efficiency at Heraklion was instrumental for a Serbian squad that made the Semi-Finals for the first time in a decade.
Roman Domon - France
Small Forward
Birth Date: October 6, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.05m (6ft 9in) Tournament Stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG
France extended their streak with their third-place finish in Heraklion; the team has made the top five in every U20 tournament since 2017. Domon was one of the main reasons why the team was able to make a bronze medal run. The 19-year-old forward led France in points, rebounds, assists and steals: clear proof that he made an impact across the board.
Domon, who is heading to the NCAA next season to play for Murray State, showed an impressive profile as a 2.05m forward who can dribble, pass and shoot. With his combination of size and ability to create offense, it's easy to envision him becoming a standout college prospect very early in his career.
Alexandros Samodurov - Greece
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 20, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.11m (6ft 11in) Tournament Stats: 17.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG
Greece ultimately fell short of their goal to win their fourth U20 title in Heraklion, but they were one of the most talented teams in the tournament. Among a loaded roster, Samodurov stood out with his elite physical tools and all-around two-way impact. The 2.11m forward was productive in the paint with his interior scoring, rebounding and rim protection, but he also showed the ability to create offense from the perimeter, attacking the rim, making plays for teammates on the move, and hitting the occasional three-point jumper.
Samodurov has already earned a spot in the rotation of Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos and his performance in Heraklion showed exactly why he's considered as one of the highest-ceiling prospects in Europe, as few players have his mix of elite size, interior impact and perimeter offensive skill set.
Mantas Juzenas - Lithuania
Power Forward
Birth Date: November 16, 2006 (18 years old) Height: 1.99m (6ft 6in) Tournament Stats: 11.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG
Lithuania couldn't finish the job in Heraklion, losing their third-straight Final at the U20 level. The silver lining was the confirmation of Juzenas as one of the top young wing prospects in Europe. The 18-year-old was a key piece in Lithuania's run with his ability to finish around the basket and, especially, with his versatile shooting, as he converted 40 percent of his 5.7 three-point attempts per game.
Juzenas will head to the NCAA to play for St. Mary's, a team that has become a destination for Lithuanian prospects as of late, including names like Augustas Marciulionis and Paulius Murauskas. His performance in Heraklion shows that he has the potential to quickly develop into the next Lithuanian college standout.
Lucas Langarita - Spain
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: January 4, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 1.95m (6ft 5in) Tournament Stats: 17.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Langarita was one of the top scorers in the tournament and a key piece for a Spanish team that finished outside the U20 top four for the third year in a row. The 20-year-old guard came out of the gate storming, having a tremendous Group Phase run that included a 28-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist outing against Israel. Langarita showed a versatile offensive arsenal throughout the tournament, being a threat as a three-point shooter, slasher, and secondary playmaker.
Langarita has alternated between rotational minutes with Zaragoza at the ACB level and being loaned out to second division sides over the past few years. His performance in Heraklion shows that he's one of Spain's most promising young players, with a scoring ability that should be helpful for any team he finds himself on next season.
Omer Mayer - Israel
Point Guard
Birth Date: October 8, 2006 (18 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in) Tournament Stats: 16.7 PPG, 5.1 APG, 2.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG
Mayer wrapped up a tremendous summer at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket. He came into the competition just one week after finishing as a top three scorer in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup and he continued his impressive run in Heraklion finishing in the top five for both points and assists per game.
The Purdue commit gave us some of the most electric performances in the tournament, including a 24-point, 11-assist outing against Poland in the Group Phase, but he showed his unique ability to create offense, both for himself and for others, throughout the tournament. He will be one of the most interesting freshmen to follow at the college level next season.
Jan Vide - Slovenia
Guard
Birth Date: January 15, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 1.99m (6ft 6in) Tournament Stats: 17.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.6 SPG
Vide reminded us what we had already been seeing from him for years at this point: that he's one of the most lethal young scorers in Europe. Just like he did back in 2022 at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, the Slovenian wing finished the tournament as the leading scorer, averaging 17.9 points per game. He also contributed in other areas of the game, leading his team in rebounds, assists, and blocks per game.
Vide will head into his junior season at the NCAA, where he should be an important piece for Loyola Marymount. While his production at the college level has yet to eclipse his accomplishments in FIBA competitions, the talent is certainly there and he's poised to break out at the college level any moment now.
Jakub Szumert - Poland
Small Forward
Birth Date: December 4, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in) Tournament Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG
Poland will play their sixth FIBA U20 EuroBasket, Division A in a row next year: the longest streak for the team since the tournament started in 1992. One of the keys for Poland's success this year was Jakub Szumert, who made an impact across the board. The 2.03m forward made an impact around the basket with his interior scoring, rebounding and, especially, with his rim protection, as he finished second in the tournament with 2.5 blocks per game.
Szumert has already two full seasons of pro-level experience on his resume, having been a regular rotation player for Arka Gdynia in the Polish league, and also having made his debut for the senior Polish national team in the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers 2025. With his performance in this tournament, he should be on the shortlist of the top young big men in Europe.
Neoklis Avdalas - Greece
Small Forward
Birth Date: February 4, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 2.06m (6ft 9in) Tournament Stats: 14.0 PPG, 8.0 APG, 7.1 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Avdalas had a slow start during the group phase but he stepped up in a big way during the knockout stages of the tournament, including an all-around performance in the Round of 16 against Finland (23 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and a triple-double in the final game of the tournament against Israel.
Avdalas showed his versatile offensive game and his unique profile as a 2.06m point forward who can run an offense and make plays for teammates on a primary level, but also call his own number via self-created drives and jump shots. He will head to Virginia Tech for the 2025-26 season as one of the top international freshmen in the college game, and a potential pick in next year's NBA Draft.
Rolands Sulcs - Latvia - Division B MVP
Guard
Birth Date: January 6, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 1.90m (6ft 3in) Tournament Stats: 14.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 SPG
Latvia will return to Division A for 2026, after winning the Division B tournament in Yerevan. One of the keys in the team's gold medal run was Roland Sulcs, who led Latvia in scoring, doing so with solid efficiency, shooting 55.6 percent from inside the arc and 34.8 percent from three-point range on 6.6 attempts per game.
Sulcs played one year up in age, so he will be once again eligible when Latvia plays Division A next year, the first time they will do so since 2019.
FIBA