Eight rising stars making a splash in EuroCup Women

MUNICH (Germany) - Continuing the rich EuroCup Women tradition of rising stars making a splash in the competition, this year's Regular Season saw another bumper crop of young guns showing their talent. 

There were some outstanding individual performances throughout the first stage of the competition and you can let us know in the fan vote below which of the following candidates, 2001-born or younger, you think has done it best.

Pauline Astier - Tango Bourges Basket

GUARD

Statistics: 16.2 EFF / 10.0 PPG / 61% FG / 5.4 APG / 4.2 RPG

Everyone already knows the class of Astier from being named the EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year for 2023. She has wasted little time this season impressing for unbeaten silverware contenders Tango Bourges Basket.

Awak Kuier - Umana Reyer Venice

FORWARD 

Statistics: 11.4 EFF / 10.8 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 2.6 BPG

Leading the entire competition in swats, Kuier is a shot blocking machine whose defensive presence is one of the main ingredients of potential title success for Venice. You can also throw in her athleticism at the offensive end too.

Leila Lacan - Union Feminine Angers

GUARD

Statistics: 15.4 EFF / 14.6 PPG / 32 APG / 2.4 RPG

She won bronze at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket and then lit it up at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup this past summer. So, it's no surprise that the guard has excelled with Angers and put them into the Play-Off Round 1.

Nastja Claessens - Castors Braine

FORWARD

Statistics: 14.8 EFF / 12.0 PPG / 3.0 APG / 2.3 RPG

Maybe destined to be star for the Belgian Cats at senior level in future years, Claessens has been showing why in a Castors Braine vest. She is composed on the floor, can score and also has impressive passing skills for a forward.

Elina Aarnisalo - Kangoeroes Mechelen

GUARD

Statistics: 13.7 EFF / 12.8 PPG / 4.0 APG / 3.8 RPG

Aarnisalo has already done the business for the Finland youth teams as well as the seniors. She's tipped to be the go-to backcourt player for many years for her nation. She's shone brightly for Mechelen and there is even more to come. 

Matilde Villa - Umana Reyer Venice

GUARD

Statistics: 12.5 EFF / 9.0 PPG / 66.0% FG / 3.5 APG / 2.2 RPG

Having made her major tournament debut at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, Villa is the future of the Italian backcourt. She's turning the screw for Venice too and growing in influence as her shooting and assist numbers show.

Julia Boros - TARR KSC Szekszard

GUARD

Statistics: 12.3 EFF / 13.8 PPG / 3.5 APG / 2.2 RPG

Boros is delivering against the promise showed at youth level at two editions of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup. Her eye-catching displays for Szekszard have been a main reason for them going to the next phase.

Faith Ehi Etute - T71 Diddeleng

FORWARD

Statistics: 11.5 EFF / 10.0 PPG / 10.3 RPG / 2.2 APG

Averaging a season double-double, that more than shows the excellent contribution made by Etute. She is one of the most exciting young prospects around, but regrettably it's the end of the line after T71 Diddeleng were eliminated.

FIBA