As the focus of European youth basketball shifts to the upcoming FIBA U16 EuroBasket, we highlight 10 players who made an impact in Tampere, as well as the MVP of the Division B tournament in Skopje.

Guard

Birth Date: April 14, 2006 (18 years old) 
Height: 1.95m (6ft 5in)
Tournament Stats: 28.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG

The MVP of the tournament, Saraf led the competition in both points and steals per game and delivered several electrifying performances in Tampere. His 40 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals in a win against Spain in the Round of 16 is legendary on its own, but he did it again with another 40-point performance in the Semi-Finals against Serbia, while also adding 8 steals, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Saraf’s generational run at the U18 EuroBasket not only allowed him to lead Israel to their first top-four finish since 1972, it also established him as one top international prospects ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft with his multi-level scoring, secondary passing and perimeter defensive contributions.

Point Guard

Birth Date: August 11, 2006 (17 years old) 
Height: 1.92m (6ft 4in)
Tournament Stats: 20.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.6 SPG, 0.3 BLK

Drezgic saved the best for last, putting up 35 points and 12 assists in a Semi-Finals win against Israel, and then a 30-point, 7-assist, 6-rebound performance in the Final against Germany. The 17-year-old guard was highly productive, finishing the tournament in the top five for points, assists and steals per game, while leading Serbia to their fifth podium appearance in the last six editions of the U18 EuroBasket.

Drezgic’s versatile scoring and playmaking for others were in full display at the competition, and he’s set to make an immediate impact at the NCAA level for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Forward

Birth Date: May 1, 2006 (18 years old)
Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in)
Tournament Stats: 15.4 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 APG

Steinbach averaged a double-double, providing a much needed interior presence for Germany in their title run. The leading rebounder of the tournament took full advantage of the gravity that Germany’s offensive weapons generated in the perimeter, making an impact around the basket with his rebounding, play finishing and self-creation.

Steinbach, who is yet to make his debut with Wurzburg’s senior team, recently signed his first professional contract with the team. After his performance in Tampere, where he earned a spot in the All-Star Five, he should be expected to find minutes at the professional level and make an impact for Wurzburg as early as next season.

Shooting Guard

Birth Date: March 28, 2006 (18 years old) 
Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in)
Tournament Stats: 16.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Kroflic earned a U18 EuroBasket All-Star Five nod and a bronze medal with Slovenia, capping off a breakout 2023-24 campaign in which he made his debut at the senior level for Beograd and was named to the Junior ABA League Ideal Starting Five.

Kroflic led Slovenia in points, rebounds and assists per game in Tampere while showing a versatile and efficient scoring package. The 18 year old wing is a fluid slasher who was able to get to the rim and convert difficult shots off movement inside the arc, while also proving to be efficient as a shooter both from the free-throw and the three-point lines.

Point Guard

Birth Date: April 2, 2006 (18 years old) 
Height: 1.88m (6ft 2in)
Tournament Stats: 20.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

While the key behind Germany’s first-ever U18 EuroBasket title was the depth, it’s important not to understate Anderson’s contributions. The Texas Tech commit was instrumental through the entire tournament with his pull-up shooting, his crafty finishing around the basket and his playmaking for others, but he was pivotal in the finals, where his 31 points and 5 assists were the deciding factor in Germany’s win over Serbia.

Anderson’s impressive run in Tampere earned him a spot in the All-Star Five. His scoring and playmaking for others were key for Germany, and it’s easy to envision him making a similar impact in the college ranks.

Small Forward

Birth Date: April 30, 2007 (17 years old) 
Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in)
Tournament Stats: 15.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BLK

Belgium racked up a pair of impressive wins against powerhouses Türkiye and Greece, en route to a seventh-place finish — their best final result since 1996. The key player in the Young Lions run was Jayden Hodge, the 17 year old showed his versatile two-way game, leading his team in both points and rebounds per game, while also contributing as a secondary passer and multi-position defender.

Hodge, who is one of the top recruits in the high school class of 2026, played one year up in age in Tampere and he will be eligible to lead Belgium once again at the 2025 U18 EuroBasket.

Point Guard

Birth Date: May 28, 2006 (18 years old) 
Height: 1.92m (6ft 4in)
Tournament Stats: 14.0 PPG, 9.3 APG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 SPG

France had a strong campaign, finishing with a 6-1 record on the way to their fifth-straight top-five finish at U18 EuroBasket, but Les Bleus ultimately fell short of the high expectations behind one of the most star-studded rosters in the competition.

Traore, however, was as great as advertised. He was masterful in setting up teammates, leading the tournament with 9.3 assists per game while also contributing with his efficient scoring, as he shot 49.4 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range. The Saint-Quentin guard entered the tournament with a ton of hype and he didn’t disappoint, with his ability to create for himself and others, he will be one of the players to watch ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Forward

Birth Date: February 5, 2006 (18 years old) 
Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
Tournament Stats: 20.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.7 SPG, 2.6 APG, 2.0 BPG

It was a rough tournament for a Spanish team narrowly avoided relegation in Tampere, but it’s hard to find any blame in Gonzalez, who finished the competition as one of the top five scorers and ranked in the top three for both steals and blocks per game. Gonzalez’s impact was especially evident on the defensive end of the floor, where he was able to cover multiple positions and create defensive events at an impressive rate. While the jump shot didn’t fall, Gonzalez was able to score with his aggressive slashing ability, averaging 20.7 points per game while shooting 59.4 percent from inside the arc.

The 2024-25 season will be one to watch for Gonzalez, whose two-way impact could make him an important player for Real Madrid and a potential first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Forward

Birth Date: May 29, 2006 (18 years old) 
Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in)
Tournament Stats: 19.4 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Jakucionis was a steady presence for Lithuania all through the tournament, but he finally exploded for 37 points and 7 assists in his final game of the competition against France. The former Barcelona prospect combines the size and shooting ability of a wing with the powerful driving of a forward and playmaking chops of a true point guard, being able to set up teammates both in half-court and transition situations.

After leading Lithuania to a top-six finish in Tampere, Jakucionis will head to the NCAA to play for Illinois, where he will be one of the top freshmen to watch during the 2024-25 season.

Guard

Birth Date: October 8, 2006 (17 years old)
Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
Tournament Stats: 21.6 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Sweden’s top-eight, their first since 1998, was spearheaded by Price and his impact on the offensive end of the floor. The 1.93m guard was the second-leading scorer of the tournament, averaging 21.6 points per game on tremendous efficiency, shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from three. The 17 year old showed an arsenal of dribble moves, soft touch on tough shots around the basket and a versatile jump shooting profile, being extremely difficult to contain for opposing perimeter defenders.

Price is a highly-rated guard in the high school class of 2026, holding multiple offers from high-major teams. After his performance at the U18 EuroBasket, he projects as a player who could make a great impact either at the college or the pro levels.

Small Forward

Birth Date: July 27, 2007 (17 years old)
Height: 1.95m (6ft 5in)
Tournament Stats: 22.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG

North Macedonia will return to Division A in 2025, after winning the Division B title at home and Janichikj was named Division B MVP after leading the tournament in points per game, while also contributing with his passing and his perimeter defense. Janichikj turned 17 years old during the tournament and he should be one of the key pieces for North Macedonia in next year’s U18 EuroBasket Division A, as the team will look to avoid relegation in only their second-ever appearance in the division.

FIBA