10 standout performers at the FIBA U20 European Challengers

MUNICH (Germany) - It was an eventful week at the FIBA U20 European Challengers with several standout performances as teams marked their return to youth competition on the international stage.

Czech Republic, France, Hungary and Slovenia came out victorious in the four Challengers in Brno, Tbilisi, Sopron and Heraklion, respectively, and we take a look at some of the emerging players to step up and be counted.

Brno:

David Bohm (CZE)

FORWARD

Birth date: July 13, 2001 (20 years old)
Height: 203cm / 6'8"

Statistics: 15.0 PTS, 6.6 REB, 2.0 AST - 15.6 EFF

Bohm starred for Czech Republic as MVP in Brno and was the team's second leading scorer with 15.0 points per game - just behind teammate Ondrej Hanzlik, who was also in MVP contention. Bohm was a double-figure scorer in each of the five games as the Czechs bounced back from an opening loss to take the title with USK Praha forward posting a double-double in a crucial victory over fellow contenders, Croatia, on the penultimate day.

Jaime Pradilla (ESP)

CENTER

Birth date: January 3, 2001 (20 years old)
Height: 205cm / 6'9"

Statistics: 13.2 PTS, 7.0 REB, 1.8 AST - 15.2 EFF

It wasn't to be for Spain as they came up short in their quest for the title, though Pradilla was one of the brightest talents on display for the eventual runners-up. The 20-year-old center was an efficient scorer inside at 64-percent and made the most of his 23.0 minutes per game with a best of 16 points coming in the victory against Portugal.

Tbilisi:

Milan Barbitch (FRA)

GUARD

Birth date: October 12, 2001 (19 years old)
Height: 196cm / 6'5"

Statistics: 16.8 PTS, 5.2 REB, 4.0 AST - 21.2 EFF

Barbitch was the star for France as they made their way through Group B in Tbilisi without suffering defeat. The 19-year-old guard produced a string of impressive performances - earning the MVP award - including three 20+ point games to help his team to five wins on the bounce. Hugo Benitez also deserves a mention, coming close to a triple-double with a 15-7-11 stat-line against Poland.

Elias Baggette (GER)

POINT GUARD

Birth date: April 28, 2002 (19 years old)
Height: 184cm / 6'0"

Statistics: 14.6 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.4 AST - 17.0 EFF

The point guard helped Germany push France close in the Tbilisi Challenger as they finished up in second place following a 65-62 loss to their rivals early in the week. Baggette is on the books at Brose Bamberg and showcased his potential by leading Germany in scoring and assists with his best display consisting of 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting in just 15 minutes in a win over Georgia.

Emil Stoilov (BUL)

CENTER

Birth date: February 7, 2002 (19 years old)
Height: 212cm / 6'11"

Statistics: 16.0 PTS, 9.4 REB, 1.8 BLK - 21.4 EFF

Stoilov had a big say in a positive week for Bulgaria as they collected two wins from their five games. The towering center is based in Spain on club duties and almost averaged a double-double on the week, scoring at 65-percent shooting accuracy. Stoilov opened his account with 22 points against Turkey before a 21-point, 15-rebound display helped his side beat Poland.

Heraklion:

Gregor Glas (SLO)

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: April 29, 2001 (20 years old)
Height: 198cm / 6'6"

Statistics: 18.4 PTS, 5.0 REB, 2.6 AST - 14.6 EFF

Another #7 lighting it up for his country. Glas took MVP honors in Heraklion after leading Slovenia to a perfect week with five wins from five. The shooting guard set the tone for his side and fired in a personal best of 27 points against Ukraine on the second day. Glas hit 20 points again in the win over Russia, while Bine Prepelic was also an efficient performer for the team.

Haris Bratanovic (BEL)

CENTER

Birth date: April 20, 2001 (20 years old)
Height: 208cm / 6'10"

Statistics: 18.8 PTS, 9.6 REB, 3.0 AST - 21.2 EFF

Bratanovic went to work in the paint as the leading scorer across all four of the Challengers. The 20-year-old big man put up 18.8 points and just shy of 10 boards per game, whilst also showing his versatility with 3 assists as well to help Belgium recover from an 0-2 start with three wins on the spin. Bratanovic recorded three consecutive double-doubles and finished the tournament with his best scoring displays with a combined 45 points on the final two days.

Sopron:

Vincent Valerio-Bodon (HUN)

FORWARD

Birth date: May 2, 2001 (20 years old)
Height: 203cm / 6'8"

Statistics: 12.0 PTS, 7.0 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.4 BLK - 16.0 EFF

The home hero in Sopron. Valerio-Bodon was the MVP after helping Hungary triumph on home soil with consistent all-round displays. Valerio-Bodon did a bit of everything for his team to contribute across the board in every stat category with a best of 16 points on the second day. His teammate Peter Filipovity was also in contention for MVP honors and netted 23 points - for the second time in the week - in the Final victory over Belarus.

Max Logelin (LUX)

POINT GUARD

Birth date: June 17, 2003 (18 years old)
Height: 185cm / 6'1"

Statistics: 18.6 PTS, 6.0 REB, 3.4 AST, 2.8 STL - 16.8 EFF

Only 18 years of age, Logelin proved to be a bonafide scorer for Luxembourg. The teen guard did not hold back in the Sopron Challenger and exploded for 34 points on the penultimate day to propel his side to victory in the 5-8 Classification Round after they had missed out on the Semi-Finals. Logelin had the highest individual efficiency score of the week with 39 having followed up a 24-point outing from the previous day.

Kevin Martina (SUI)

FORWARD

Birth date: April 14, 2001 (20 years old)
Height: 203cm / 6'8"

Statistics: 17.6 PTS, 8.4 REB, 3.4 AST - 23.4 EFF

Martina's efficiency rating of 23.4 for the week was unmatched with the Swiss forward making strong contributions for his side. The 20-year-old had a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in the final group game and saved his best for last with 28 points to help Switzerland secure third place in the Sopron Challenger. Meanwhile, Niko Rocak also impressed having accumulated a double-double across the five games with 16.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

FIBA