MUNICH (Germany) - The first window of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers left us with a number of rising stars who put up memorable performances and made an impact for their national teams.
With the second window right around the corner, we highlight 12 players born in 2002 and later, who could have a big role as their teams look to punch their tickets to the Final Round in November.
Ben Saraf - Israel
Guard
Birth Date: April 14, 2006 (18 years old) Height: 1.99m (6ft 6in) Team: Ratiopharm Ulm (GER)
The reigning FIBA U18 EuroBasket MVP has taken his prolific scoring profile to the pro level. In his debut season for Ratiopharm Ulm, the Israeli wing is averaging 13.7 points per game on 47.2 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three-point range. Saraf’s versatile scoring package, combined with his ability to make plays for others and his defensive flashes have turned him into one of the top young wings in Europe, and someone who is already in the conversation as one of the top players for next year’s NBA Draft.
Thijs de Ridder - Belgium
Forward
Birth Date: January 31, 2003 (21 years old) Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in) Team: Bilbao (ESP)
Belgium is sitting at 2-0 and a pair of wins during this qualifying window would put them into the next round. One of the key factors in their quest could be De Ridder, who has developed into one of the most versatile power forwards in the European game. The 2.03m forward has become an important rotation piece for Bilbao in the Spanish ACB, making an impact around the basket with his size and strength, but also being able to affect the game from the perimeter, converting three-pointers and putting the ball on the floor for drives to the basket.
Izan Almansa - Spain
Forward
Birth Date: June 7, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.07m (6ft 9in) Team: Perth (AUS)
One of the most decorated players in FIBA Youth basketball history, having been named MVP at three different tournaments, Almansa could make his debut with the Spanish senior national team during this qualifying window. Currently playing for Perth in the Australian NBL, Almansa is a versatile big man who can make an impact with his size and agility around the basket for rebounds and interior finishes, but also with his feel for the game, making plays for teammates.
Sergio de Larrea - Spain
Guard
Birth Date: December 4, 2005 (18 years old) Height: 1.97m (6ft 6in) Team: Valencia (ESP)
De Larrea has been one of the most impactful young players in the Spanish ACB during the initial stretch of the 2024-25 season. After years of standout play at the junior levels, the 18-year-old combo guard has been making an impact for Valencia with his versatile three-point shooting and his playmaking for others. De Larrea’s ability to make an impact both with and without the ball in his hands could be important for a Spanish team that is still winless in the competition.
Johann Grunloh - Germany
Center
Birth Date: August 14, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.09m (6ft 10in) Team: Rasta Vechta (GER)
Grunloh has been one of the breakout performers in the German Bundesliga over the past few years and will look to make his national team debut during this qualifying window. The 19-year-old big was named German Young Player of the year last season and has been even more productive during the early stretch of the 2024-25 campaign, making an impact for Rasta Vechta on both ends of the floor with his interior finishing, rebounding and rim protection.
Noa Essengue - France
Forward
Birth Date: December 18, 2006 (17 years old) Height: 2.09m (6ft 10in) Team: Ratiopharm Ulm (GER)
At just 17 years old, Essengue is making an impact for Ratiopharm Ulm, as he’s averaging 9.9 points and 4.5 rebounds through the early stretch of the 2024-25 season. The French forward possesses an imposing combination of size and speed which he utilizes to get to the rim and finish drives with power. His athleticism, offensive motor and flashes of perimeter game have made Essengue a potential top 20 pick in next year’s NBA draft and he will be one of the players that NBA teams will be keeping an eye on during the upcoming qualifying window.
Nolan Traore - France
Guard
Birth Date: May 28, 2006 (18 years old) Height: 1.92m (6ft 4in) Team: Saint-Quentin (FRA)
One of the top guards in the international game ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, Traore has been on NBA radars for the past few years with an offensive arsenal that includes creative playmaking for others and tough shotmaking from nearly all levels of the floor. Currently a starter for Saint-Quentin, Traore is one of the top young players in the French league and he will look to make his debut with the senior national team during this qualifying window.
Elhadji Dame Sarr - Italy
Guard
Birth Date: June 4, 2006 (18 years old) Height: 1.96m (6ft 5in) Team: Barcelona (ESP)
With Italy on the brink of qualification to the Final Round, we could see Sarr making his senior team debut during this qualifying window. The 18-year-old wing has been one of the brightest stars in Barcelona’s junior squads over the past few years, where he has made an impact with his combination of size, athleticism and shooting ability, which allows him to score from multiple levels of the floor and be an impactful perimeter defender.
Roko Prkacin - Croatia
Forward
Birth Date: November 26, 2002 (21 years old) Height: 2.01m (6ft 7in) Team: Nanterre 92 (FRA)
Prkacin dazzled during the first qualifying window; putting up 24 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in a game against Cyprus. After a pair of seasons of solid play in the Spanish ACB, Prkacin moved to France where he’s been a key factor for Nanterre 92 with his efficient interior scoring and his defensive contributions on multiple levels of the floor. Croatia will need Prkacin at the top of his game, with the team currently sitting at 1-1 and an upcoming tough home-and-home series against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Yannick Kraag - Netherlands
Forward
Birth Date: October 16, 2002 (22 years old) Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in) Team: Joventut (ESP)
At just 22 years old, Kraag has become one of the key players for the Netherlands; having averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds during the first qualifying window. Standing at 2.02m, Kraag utilizes his elite size and speed to attack the rim on drives, but is also an impressive shooter who can convert three-pointers off-the-catch. The Netherlands will need Kraag to be on top of his game, as they will look for their first win in the Qualifiers during November’s window.
Bogoljub Markovic - Serbia
Forward
Birth Date: July 12, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.10m (6ft 11in) Team: Mega Basket (SRB)
Markovic earned his first call up to the senior national team after a tremendous start to his 2024-25 season, where he’s looking as one of the breakout stars of the Adriatic League. The Serbian forward is averaging 13.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, being a force on the interior while also contributing with his perimeter scoring and playmaking for others, as he’s shooting 45% from three-point range and averaging 2.7 assists per game. Markovic will have a chance to showcase his elite physical tools and versatile skill set for a Serbian squad that remains undefeated during the Qualifiers.
Azuolas Tubelis - Lithuania
Forward
Birth Date: March 22, 2002 (22 years old) Height: 2.05m (6ft 9in) Team: Lietuvos Rytas (LTU)
Despite being just 22 years old, Tubelis has multiple years of high-level basketball experience, including three years of college basketball with the Arizona Wildcats and a short NBA stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now back in Lithuania, Tubelis has provided a strong presence in the paint for Lietuvos Rytas, contributing as an interior scorer and rebounder. The 2.05m forward has already played minutes for Lithuania during the first qualifying window and will look to secure a spot in Lithuania’s rotation in the upcoming window.
FIBA