MUNICH (Germany) - Besides the thrilling on-court battles between Europe’s best national teams, every EuroBasket edition offers a glimpse into the future, with young players stepping into the spotlight and delivering breakout performances. This year, we’ve selected a group of players who could emerge as rising stars, following a couple of (self-imposed) rules: (1) all players must have been born in 2004 or later, and (2) they must have either appeared in at least one preparation game for FIBA EuroBasket or be strongly rumored to make the final rosters. Without further ado, here are the young players who are ready to step into the spotlight during this year’s EuroBasket.
Bilal Coulibaly - France
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: July 26, 2004 (21 years old) Height: 1.99m (6ft 6in) Club: Washington Wizards (USA - NBA)
Coulibaly is returning after a hamstring injury kept him sidelined for the final month of the NBA season. His sophomore year with the Wizards had its ups and downs, with the Frenchman being thrust into a larger on-ball role, which saw him creating more shots for himself and acting as a secondary playmaker for others, but in turn made him struggle in efficiency terms. Still, he will be extremely important to this young French squad with his ability to handle the ball, pass it and defend multiple positions.
Sergio De Larrea - Spain
Point Guard
Birth Date: December 4, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 1.97m (6ft 6in) Club: Valencia Basket (ESP)
De Larrea made his national team debut during the qualifiers, following a standout season for Valencia in which the 19-year-old wing proved to be one of the most efficient three-point shooters in the Spanish ACB. He should add tremendous value for Spain with his ability to space the floor and make plays for others on a secondary level.
Miro Little - Finland
Guard
Birth Date: May 30, 2004 (21 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in) Club: UC Santa Barbara (USA - NCAA)
Lauri Markkanen is poised for an explosive FIBA EuroBasket after dominating the preparation games for the tournament, averaging 40.3 points per contest. Finland will need to surround Markkanen with off-ball scoring, athleticism, and versatile perimeter defense. Enter Miro Little, who, despite not having had the smoothest adaptation to the college game, could play a huge role for Finland this EuroBasket with his defensive impact and ability to contribute on offense without the ball seemingly a perfect complement to Markkanen's all-around offensive game.
Miikka Muurinen - Finland
Forward
Birth Date: March 4, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 2.08m (6ft 10in) Club: AZ Compass Prep (USA - High School)
Muurinen is one of the most hyped prospects coming into the tournament. Considered as one of the top players in the high school class of 2026 and receiving multiple offers from top NCAA programs, the Finnish forward has been making waves on both sides of the Atlantic with his combination of elite 2.08m size, ball-handling ability, versatile shooting flashes, and defensive productivity.
Muurinen, who already made his senior national team debut during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024, is projected as a future standout for Finland and the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket could be his national team breakthrough.
Saliou Niang - Italy
Forward
Birth Date: May 14, 2004 (21 years old) Height: 1.99m (6ft 6in) Club: Virtus Segafredo Bologna (ITA)
Niang had a breakthrough 2024-25 season for Trento in the Italian league, where he showed a combination of size, athleticism, ability to attack the basket, and a much-improved three-point jump shot. His development not only drew attention from NBA teams, leading to his selection in the second round of this year's draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but also earned him a call-up to the Italian national team, where he made his debut in the EuroBasket Qualifiers.
His profile as an athletic wing who can make plays on both ends of the floor could be an X-factor for Italy in this EuroBasket.
Giorgi Ochkhikidze - Georgia
Point Guard
Birth Date: June 5, 2004 (21 years old) Height: 1.92m (6ft 4in) Club: BC Kutaisi 2010 (GEO)
At 21 years old, Ochkhikidze has developed into an impact player for Kutaisi in Georgia, winning the league's Young Player of the Year award in back-to-back years. He has also stood out for the Georgian national team during the qualifiers with his ability to attack the rim, convert off-the-dribble jumpers, and make plays for others on a secondary level.
Ochkhikidze has been one of the best players to emerge from Georgia in recent years and could make a huge impact for the team during EuroBasket.
Mark Padjen - Slovenia
Shooting Guard
Birth Date: January 25, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Club: KK Ilirija (SLO)
Padjen was an integral part of Slovenia’s bronze-medal run at this year’s FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. The 1.98m guard stood out with his three-point shooting and with his playmaking for others, ranking in the top five in assists per game during the tournament.
His versatility, being efficient as an off-ball scorer while also being impactful as playmaker for others when he has the ball in his hands, could be his calling card and what ultimately secures him a spot on Slovenia's EuroBasket roster.
Zaccharie Risacher - France
Small Forward
Birth Date: April 8, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in) Club: Atlanta Hawks (USA - NBA)
Risacher is coming off an impressive rookie season in the NBA, where he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the All-Rookie First Team. He made an impact for the Hawks with his ability to defend multiple positions and his off-ball scoring, which improved throughout the season, as he shot 40.7 percent from three-point range after the All-Star break.
His profile as a versatile defender who doesn't need the ball to be effective on offense should be key for France at FIBA EuroBasket.
Mario Saint-Supery - Spain
Guard
Birth Date: April 14, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 1.90m (6ft 3in) Club: Gonzaga University (USA - NCAA)
Saint-Supery has been a well-known name in scouting circles over the past few years. He made an impact for the Spanish youth national teams, being named MVP at the 2022 FIBA U16 EuroBasket, and last season he had a breakthrough campaign for BAXI Manresa in the Spanish ACB, standing out with his combination of smooth-ball handling, shot-making, and secondary playmaking.
Saint-Supery was included in the 12-man Spanish roster for EuroBasket, despite suffering an injury in a recent preparation game against France. If healthy, he could give Spain an extra punch with his versatile offensive game.
Alexandros Samodurov - Greece
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 20, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.11m (6ft 11in) Club: Panathinaikos BC OPAP (GRE)
Samodurov is coming off a strong performance at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket, where he was named to the All-Star Five, and he has been a regular fixture in Greece's preparation games for FIBA EuroBasket, playing in all four contests and starting in three of them.
The 20-year-old could be a key factor for Greece thanks to his unique profile as a wing with elite size who can make an impact on multiple levels of the floor with his interior finishing, rim protection, and ability to create offense from the perimeter.
Alex Sarr - France
Power Forward
Birth Date: April 26, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 2.13m (7ft 0in) Club: Washington Wizards (USA - NBA)
Sarr made an impact as an interior defender during his first NBA season, finishing in the top 10 in blocks per game. His defensive contributions earned him fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting and a spot on the All-Rookie First Team.
While his offensive game is still a work in progress, his defense will be vital for a French team that, with Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama out of the picture, will certainly turn to Sarr for rim protection.
FIBA