MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season saw the future stars shine and play years ahead of their time.
We have picked out nine young players that have stood out so far, and you have the chance to vote for your favorite below.
Fedor Zugic - BG Gottingen
GUARD
Birth Date: September 18, 2003 (20 years old)
Height: 6ft 5in / 1.96 cm
Nationality: MNE
Statistics: 17.0 EFF; 15.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.5 APG in 23.2 MINS
The breakout star of the Regular Season and one of the men who led BG Gottingen from the front was Montenegrin combo guard Fedor Zugic. The 20-year-old prodigy produced two 20+ point games with his best being an impressive 25-point effort against Keravnos BC - totalling 95 points across his six games played to help his side advance to the Second Round.
Thijs De Ridder - Surne Bilbao Basket
View this post on Instagram
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: January 31 2003 (20 years old)
Height: 6ft 8in / 2.03 cm
Nationality: BEL
Statistics: 8.4 EFF; 6.4 PPG, 57.1 FG% in 15.4 MINS
Already the main offensive weapon for Belgium at the recent FIBA U20 European Championship, where he averaged 16.9 points on 45.2 percent shooting, De Ridder has seen considerable minutes so far in the Regular Season for Surne Bilbao Basket. The 2.03cm big man was a sublime 6-for-7 from the field against BC CSU Sibiu with that single miss coming from three-point range, and with the confidence he has to shoot from distance, he will cause matchup problems whenever he is on court.
Aleksandar Langovic - PGE Spojina Stargard
FORWARD
Birth Date: February 19, 2001 (22 years old)
Height: 6ft 8in / 2.03 cm
Nationality: SRB
Statistics: 14.3. EFF; 11.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 26.2 MINS
One of the major standouts for PGE Spojina Stargard was versatile forward Aleksandar Langovic. The Serbian ended the Regular Season with back-to-back double-doubles against NINERS Chemnitz and KB Peja, respectively with 18 points being his competition-best in the team's opener against Heroes Den Bosch. Langovic was also among the block leaders, but his campaign has come to an end.
Zach Ensminger - BG Gottingen
GUARD
Birth Date: April 30, 2001 (22 years old)
Height: 6ft 5in / 1.95 cm
Nationality: GER
Statistics: 16.2. EFF; 12.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.8 APG in 18.3 MINS
Another Gottingen prodigy. Along with filling up the statsheet at more than 12 points per game, the crafty German shooting guard has the ability to deliver timely passes and can read the pace of play to his advantage. The 22-year-old dished out 4.8 assists in six games as well posting 15+ point games in the final three Regular Season contests.
Gustav Knudsen - Bakken Bears
FORWARD
Birth Date: April 16, 2003 (20 years old)
Height: 6ft 8in / 2.03 cm
Nationality: DEN
Statistics: 10.0 EFF; 8.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG in 23.0 MINS
It was a FIBA Europe Cup campaign to forget for Bakken Bears, but one of the bright spots for the Danish side was Gustav Knudsen. The 20-year-old was two rebounds shy of a double-double in their game against FC Porto; going for 10 points and 8 rebounds - one of of his four games where he registered double-digits in scoring.
Hugo Toom - BC Kalev/Cramo
View this post on Instagram
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: October 25, 2002 (21 years old)
Height: 6ft 7in / 2.00 cm
Nationality: EST
Statistics: 12.0. EFF; 11.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG in 26.2 MINS
The 21-year-old Hugo Toom has shown tremendous maturity and is a vocal leader for one of Estonia's biggest club sides. Averaging 11.3 points a game, the Estonian pulled down 5 rebounds a contest as well with 16 points and 8 rebounds being his overall best game of the Regular Season against Casademont Zaragoza.
Lucas Langarita - Casademont Zaragoza
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: January 4, 2005 (18 years old)
Height: 6ft 5in / 1.95 cm
Nationality: ESP
Statistics: 5.3 PPG, 2.0 APG in 13.2 MINS
The 18-year-old has certainly impressed in the minutes he has been given so far, with a personal best of 14 points coming against Happy Casa Brindisi. A mature point guard that takes care of the ball and helps lead his team when on the court - backing up a strong showing for the Spanish national team at the FIBA U18 European Championship this past summer.
Wei Zhao - Itelyum Varese
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: September 8, 2005 (18 years old)
Height: 5ft 11in / 1.80 cm
Nationality: CHN
Statistics: 6.5 PPG in 12.5 MINS
One of the future stars of Chinese basketball, the Varese point guard only made two appearances in the Regular Season, but showed glimpses of what he is capable of - going 2-for-4 from three-point range for 12 points against Keravnos BC. Wei averaged a shade under 10 points a game at the recent the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, shooting 46.2 percent from deep, so is certainly one to watch going forward.
Hugo Boumpoutou - BCM Gravelines Dunkerque
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: February 27, 2004 (19 years old)
Height: 6ft 6in / 1.97 cm
Nationality: FRA
Statistics: 5.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG in 14.0 MINS
The 19-year-old forward shot a solid 50 percent from the field during the Regular Season, picking his spots inside. Boumpoutou went 5-for-10 from the field against ZZ Leiden for 10 points, 4 rebounds in 21 minutes of play and has certainly shown that he is more than able to hold his own in the FIBA Europe Cup.
FIBA