10 players to watch in the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers

MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers begin this week with several new players looking to make their mark on the competition.

We picked out some players to keep an eye on from exciting talents to young prospects and veteran figures as the battle to make it to the Regular Season heats up across the four Qualifying Tournaments.

AHMAD CAVER - BC Wolves

POINT GUARD

Birth date: September 12, 1996 (26 years old)
Height: 188cm / 6'2"
Nationality: USA

An NBA G-League standout, Caver makes the move overseas for the first time and is set for a European competition debut with BC Wolves. The 26-year-old has averaged 16+ points per game in each of the past two seasons with his recent spell at Memphis Hustle. Caver contributed 14 points and 11 assists in the domestic opener and could light up the Qualifiers.

TRAVANTE WILLIAMS - Sporting CP

SMALL FORWARD

Birth date: July 29, 1993 (29 years old)
Height: 197cm / 6'6"
Nationality: USA-POR

Williams knows all about playing in FIBA Europe Cup and has put up some big numbers in previous seasons with Sporting CP. An all-round threat, Williams averaged 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the competition last season as the Portuguese side made it to the Second Round - and he could hold the key again for their chances to qualify.

MARCOS DELIA - BC Wolves

FORWARD

Birth date: April 8, 1992 (30 years old)
Height: 209cm / 6'10"
Nationality: ARG-ITA

Delia heads into the season off the back of international success with Argentina after helping them to the AmeriCup title as their starting center. The 30-year-old was also part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 roster that finished as runners-up and has joined the newcomers BC Wolves for the coming season to add vital experience in the frontcourt.

FURKAN HALTALI - Besiktas JK

CENTER

Birth date: December 2, 2002 (19 years old)
Height: 206cm / 6'9"
Nationality: TUR

An exciting prospect to keep an eye on. Haltali has already made a debut with the senior national team for Turkey and continues his development in a third season at Besiktas. The club's last appearance in the competition saw Alperen Sengun showcase his talent and Haltali will have the chance to shine in a frontcourt that also features NCAA champion David McCormack.

DARDAN BERISHA - Sigal Prishtina

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: November 15, 1988 (33 years old)
Height: 191cm / 6'3"
Nationality: KOS

A player that is synonymous with the FIBA Europe Cup. Berisha has been a main feature of Sigal Prishtina's previous ventures in the competition including averaging 27.7 points per game in the 2019-20 season. The Kosovo international will be keen to ensure his side make it to the Regular Season for a sixth time in their history - reaching the Round of 16 in 2019.

SASA CIANI - KK Cedevita Junior

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: March 25, 2003 (19 years old)
Height: 209cm / 6'10"
Nationality: SLO

One of the young guns to look out for. Ciani had a busy summer with the Slovenian national team after competing at the FIBA U20 European Championship - averaging 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game - before heading into training camp with the senior team. At 19, there is plenty of promise and Ciani can learn from the likes of new signing Krunoslav Simon on the roster. 

JD NOTAE - Aris

GUARD

Birth date: October 27, 1998 (23 years old)
Height: 188cm / 6'2"
Nationality: USA

Notae was a prolific scorer during his college career and now transitions into the pro game after signing his first contract in Greece. The rookie averaged 18.3 points per game in his senior year at Arkansas and made some noise during the NCAA Tournament in leading his team to an upset over Gonzaga. Now Notae gets his first taste of European basketball.

KIM TILLIE - Cholet Basket

CENTER

Birth date: July 15, 1988 (33 years old)
Height: 210cm / 6'11"
Nationality: FRA

A former FIBA Basketball World Cup bronze medalist with France in 2014, Tillie has an abundance of experience on the big stage. The forward is now 34 and back in his native country after playing all across Europe in his pro career with the goal of helping Cholet into the Regular Season as they compete on home soil in the Qualifiers.

CHAVDAR KOSTOV - Rilski Sportist

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: April 18, 1988 (34 years old)
Height: 195cm / 6'5"
Nationality: BUL

Kostov enjoyed a solid showing at FIBA EuroBasket 2022 with Bulgaria with averages of 11.2 points per game during the Group Phase in Tbilisi. The 34-year-old makes the switch to join Rilski sportist after three years at Levski-Lukoil in the latest spell at that club. Kostov is accompanied by international teammates Aleksandar Yanev and Deyan Karamfilov as they look to help their side navigate the Qualifying Tournament in Samokov.

GENO CRANDALL - BG Gottingen

POINT GUARD

Birth date: October 21, 1996 (25 years old)
Height: 191cm / 6'3"
Nationality: USA

Crandall was a late addition to the Gottingen plans this summer having initially re-signed with Leicester Riders in the UK. The American guard claimed the league MVP award in back-to-back seasons in the British Basketball League having helped lead his team to a domestic treble in the 2021-22 campaign, but now heads to Germany and makes his competition debut.

FIBA