MUNICH (Germany) - As the road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 begins, the first European Qualifiers window provided an early look at the continent’s next wave of talent. Here’s a look at 12 players — all born in 2003 or later — who made their mark during the first window of the World Cup Qualifiers, and showed they are ready to contribute at the biggest stage.
Alexandros Samodurov - Greece
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 20, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.11m (6ft 11in) Qualifiers stats: 14.0 PTS, 5.5 REB, 2.0 AST, 2.5 STL
After making his debut with the senior National Team at FIBA EuroBasket earlier this year, Samodurov seems to have developed into a key piece for Greece, as he played the most minutes of any player on the roster during this qualifying window and posted impressive numbers: a 16-point, 7-rebound outing against Romania, followed by a 12-point performance against Portugal. Greece started these qualifiers 2-0 behind Samodurov's strong performances. His combination of elite size, ball-handling flashes, defensive productivity and shooting potential makes him not only one of the top young prospects in Europe, but also a consistent mismatch for opposing defenses, which was a valuable weapon for Greece during this first qualifying window.
Michael Ruzic - Croatia
Power Forward
Birth Date: October 4, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in) Qualifiers stats: 16.0 PTS, 8.0 REB, 2.0 AST
Croatia is still undefeated in large part due to Ruzic, who caught fire in the game against Israel, putting up 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting an efficient 11-for-15 from the field. The 19-year-old was unstoppable in the paint, finishing pick-and-roll plays against contact with his combination of size and touch against contact.
With his performances during this qualifying window, it's easy to envision Ruzic as a key rotational piece for Croatia during the World Cup qualifying process.
Izan Almansa - Spain
Power Forward
Birth Date: June 7, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.07m (6ft 9in) Qualifiers stats: 8.0 PTS, 6.0 REB, 2.0 BLK, 1.5 STL, 0.5 AST
Spain is one of the remaining undefeated teams in the qualifiers, and Almansa has made his presence felt in the paint, leading the team in rebounds and blocks per game. The 20-year-old was especially impactful in the second game of the window against Georgia, where he put up 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.
With his ability to finish plays in the paint and his productivity as a rebounder and defender, Almansa projects as an important piece for a Spanish team that is looking to qualify for its 12th straight FIBA World Cup.
Quinn Ellis - Great Britain
Guard
Birth Date: April 1, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 1.83m (6ft 0in) Qualifiers stats: 16.0 PTS, 8.0 AST, 4.0 STL
Ellis played in only one of Great Britain's games, but it was enough to make a massive impact, as his 16 points, 8 assists and 4 steals made a huge difference in their narrow six-point win over Iceland. Despite his young age, Ellis has vast experience with both the national team and at the top levels of professional basketball in Europe, and his poise is on full display every time he takes the court.
His ability to make plays for others and create for himself is going to be key for GB in their quest for their first-ever FIBA World Cup berth.
Dane Erikstrup - Denmark
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 3, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 2.12m (6ft 11in) Qualifiers stats: 15.5 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.0 AST, 0.5 STL, 0.5 BLK
The new generation of Danish basketball was on full display during this first qualifying window, with players like Tobias Jensen, Gustav Knudsen and Marcus Moller Engelhardt — all born in 2003 or later — seeing important minutes and contributing for the team. The most impactful player in Denmark's youth movement, however, was Dane Erikstrup. The 22-year-old scored in double digits in both games and was especially impressive against Ukraine, putting up 21 points and 7 rebounds.
Erikstrup's combination of 2.12m size, interior scoring ability and three-point shooting makes him an interesting weapon for a Danish team that will need his multi-level scoring impact in order to find its first win in these qualifiers.
Miikka Muurinen - Finland
Forward
Birth Date: March 4, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 2.11m (6ft 11in) Qualifiers stats: 6.0 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.5 BLK, 1.0 AST, 0.5 STL
The Rising Star of the latest FIBA EuroBasket saw extended minutes during Finland's game against Hungary, where he put up 9 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, making plays on both ends of the floor with his size and athleticism.
While the 18-year-old struggled with efficiency, shooting just 1-for-7 from the field during this first window, he should be expected to continue to be an important piece for Finland during these qualifiers with his size, flashes of offensive creation, defensive playmaking and overall high motor.
Jack Kayil - Germany
Point Guard
Birth Date: January 27, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 1.91m (6ft 3in) Qualifiers stats: 8.0 PTS, 4.5 AST, 1.0 REB, 1.0 STL, 0.5 BLK
The current World Champions have stayed true to form, starting the qualifiers with convincing wins over Israel and Cyprus. While Kayil didn't light up the scoreboard, the 19-year-old provided a steady scoring and playmaking presence in both games, averaging 8 points and 4.5 assists per game.
Kayil provides a balanced, all-around offensive game for Germany with his ability to create for himself from multiple levels and find teammates on the move, which could be instrumental for Germany during the qualifiers.
Davide Casarin - Italy
Guard
Birth Date: May 22, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Qualifiers stats: 11.0 PTS, 3.5 REB, 3.0 AST, 0.5 STL
Casarin was tremendously productive against Iceland, with 19 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 7-for-12 from the field, before moving to the bench for the game against Lithuania, where he saw more action as a primary playmaker, putting up 5 assists.
Casarin's versatility as a combo guard who can make plays for others while also contributing as a play finisher around the basket and as a shooter off the catch could allow him to see important minutes for Italy during the qualifiers.
Siebe Ledegen - Belgium
Forward
Birth Date: January 6, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 5in) Qualifiers stats: 9.0 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.0 AST
Despite starting the qualifiers winless, Ledegen's appearance was a silver lining for Belgium. The 22-year-old had already played rotation minutes in this year's FIBA EuroBasket, but he took on a bigger role during the qualifiers and was especially impressive during Belgium's narrow loss against Hungary, where he put up 13 points and 4 rebounds.
Ledegen has had a solid pro career in Belgium, where he has made an impact with his slashing and his three-point shooting. His ability to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands could make him valuable for Belgium during the qualifiers.
Stefan Grasu - Romania
Power Forward
Birth Date: February 16, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 2.00m (6ft 6in) Qualifiers stats: 9.5 PTS, 2.5 REB, 1.5 AST, 0.5 STL
Grasu was already a key piece for Romania during the Pre-Qualifiers, and he made an impact during the first qualifying window, scoring 9.5 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 80 percent inside the arc.
The 22-year-old is a strong power forward who can score around the basket with his strength, footwork and soft touch, but he also adds a dimension of perimeter skill to his game, being able to attack opponents off the dribble and convert threes. With his versatile scoring repertoire, it's easy to envision him as a future centerpiece for the national team.
Adrians Andzevs - Latvia
Guard
Birth Date: February 23, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 3in) Qualifiers stats: 6.0 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.0 AST, 2.0 STL
Andzevs, who was one of the key players in Latvia's Semi-Finals run during this year's FIBA U18 EuroBasket, made his first appearance with the senior national team, putting up 6 points and 2 assists in the game against Austria.
At just 18-years-old, Andzevs showed impressive moments during his debut, and with his experience at the junior levels as a playmaker who can create his own shot while also finding teammates with advanced passing reads, he projects as a future difference-maker for Latvia.
Mate Khatiashvili - Georgia
Point Guard
Birth Date: November 7, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 3in) Qualifiers stats: 5.0 PTS, 1.5 AST, 1.0 REB, 0.5 BLK
After making a brief appearance during his debut in the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers, Khatiashvili finally saw extended playing time in the game against Spain, where he put up 10 points and 3 assists.
The 17-year-old has been a consistent standout at the junior levels and possesses the combination of speed, ball-handling ability and three-point marksmanship to develop into an impact player for Georgia over the next few years.
FIBA