MUNICH (Germany) - Many famous ballers down the years have successfully used FIBA Women's EuroBasket as a platform to showcase their skills as aspiring young players and that will continue at this landmark 40th edition.
There are plenty of rising stars to put on your watch-list, while you can also use the fan poll below to cast your vote a and let us know who you think will make the biggest splash at this summer's edition.
We've picked out the leading young guns set to shine, with all candidates born no earlier than 2003.
Juste Jocyte - Lithuania
SHOOTING GUARD / SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: November 19 2005 Height: 6ft 0in / 1.84 cm 2024-25 Club: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)
A true phenomenon after breaking records for her first appearances for Lithuania due to her young age, Jocyte is a leading senior player, even though she's a teenager. That is an incredible testament of her skills and ability. She is a walking highlight reel and you have to love how graceful she is on the court. Never rushed, she entertains the fans, yet also has the mentality of a stone cold killer with her clutch ability. Not just a rising star to watch, she's a star.
Iyana Martin - Spain
GUARD
Birth Date: Jan 18, 2006 Height: 5ft 9in / 1.74 cm 2024-25 Club: Perfumerias Avenida (ESP)
The Spanish guard is on a near vertical trajectory when it comes to her profile. The FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup MVP in 2023, she's since played for the senior Spanish team in the Qualifiers. Recently winning EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year after a stellar rookie season, Martin is on a high. A super offensive talent, she's also earless, intense and happy to stand toe-to-toe with any opponent, making her a joy to watch.
Leila Lacan - France
GUARD
Birth Date: June 2, 2004 Height: 5ft 11in / 1.81 cm 2024-25 Club: Basket Landes (FRA)
A surprise selection for the last edition, Lacan walked away from Ljubljana clutching a bronze medal and went one better at Paris 2024 as part of the French team who so memorably made the Olympic Final. Quick physically and also in her decision-making, she suits France's style really well as she sticks to the defensive tasks so well. The guard also caught the eye in EuroLeague Women and arrives as a French Championship winner at Basket Landes.
Emma Cechova - Czechia
CENTER
Birth Date: July 12, 2004 Height: 6ft 5in / 1.95 cm 2024-25 Club: Zabiny Brno (CZE)
Having broke out two years ago in the competition for Czechia, the 20-year-old has gone from strength to strength. Her evolution for club and country has been hugely impressive and has not gone unnoticed. After using her length and shooting range to great effect in EuroLeague Women with Zabiny Brno last season, she has secured a move to reigning champions ZVVZ USK Praha for 2025-26 which speaks volumes about her potential and progress.
Nastja Claessens - Belgium
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: December 6, 2004 Height: 6ft 0in / 1.84 cm 2024-25 Club: IDK Euskotren (ESP)
Dominant at youth level and signing off as MVP of the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2024, Division B, Claessens then had the thrill of unexpectedly playing at Paris 2024 as a late injury replacement. Since then, she has played in the Qualifiers and could lean even more from the returning Kyara Linskens in the frontcourt. With an impressive skill set and very mobile, she's also gained experience balling in EuroCup Women with Spanish side IDK Euskotren.
Ajsa Sivka - Slovenia
FORWARD
Birth Date: November 23, 2005 Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92 cm 2024-25 Club: Tarbes Gespe Bigorre (FRA)
Just 17-years-old, Sivka played a leading role for Slovenia when they co-hosted FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. While the team struggled for wins, her displays were the bright spot. She then took her country to the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket title as MVP. The forward played in the EuroLeague Women Semi-Finals at Schio and also in EuroCup Women last season at Tarbes. Athletic with a great wing span and able to score inside or out, she'll continue to rise.
Frieda Buhner - Germany
FORWARD
Birth Date: May 28, 2004 Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86cm 2024-25 Club: Movistar Estudiantes (ESP)
Buhner has rocketed to prominence in the last year. An super FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2024 display was followed by a shock jump to Paris 2024 as part of Germany's first ever Olympics. She had a fairytale debut display against Belgium off the bench and has since played in EuroCup Women with Movistar Estudiantes. She recently showed during preparation with a monumental 30 points and 12 boards against Latvia how she could be a factor.
Awa Fam - Spain
FORWARD/ CENTER
Birth Date: June 17, 2006 Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92cm 2024-25 Club: Lointek Gernika Bizkaia (ESP)
The strength and poise of Fam is hugely exciting now she's made the transition to senior action - evidenced by her participation in the Qualifiers. A powerhouse in the paint, she's already shown herself as one of the best ballers of her generation and was crowned FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2024 MVP despite being one of the youngest players. A Valencia Basket Club baller, she smartly spent 2025-26 at Lointek Gernika Bizkaia to play more minutes.
Eleni Bosgana - Greece
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: Dec 4, 2003 Height: 6ft 2in / 1.88cm 2024-25: University of Stanford (USA)
It's incredible that Bosgana is only 21-years-old and yet will be stepping out at her third edition of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. She will be looking to make it her most impactful yet and certainly Greece will need her wing skills to come through prominently. They will benefit from her making some shots from downtown in particular - as well as bringing her trademark intensity which she has shown stateside in college at Stanford University.
Clara Silva - Portugal
CENTER
Birth Date: May 31, 2006 Height: 6ft 6in / 1.98cm 2024-25: University of Kentucky (USA)
Portugal have done without their biggest rising star across the Qualifiers, but might now turn to their best prospect in years. The center has been brilliant at youth level. racking up stacks of individual honors and getting great feedback for her displays. She's just completed her Freshman season in the NCAA and has the qualities needed to make it to the top. Strong and assured inside, Silva also has the mindset of a point guard and it's a great combo.
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