RIGA (Latvia) - We still have Bruno Caboclo's buzzer-beater and Brazil's three-point samba in the final against Latvia in our minds. Or the heartbreak of the home-crowd favorites when they realized they couldn't fulfill their goal. Additionally, we may still hear Luca Banchi's proud words for his team. And let's not forget the Philippines and Cameroon's surprising paths to the Semi-Finals.
However, the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Riga also helped several players from different national teams elevate their status.
Luka Bogavac - Montenegro
Stats: 7.5 EFF, 7.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 APG - 40.0% 2PT, 100.0% FT
Montenegro didn't start their journey well in Latvia, losing a 13-point lead against Brazil and finding themselves forced to win by a huge margin against Cameroon. They ultimately couldn't make it to the Semi-Finals after the Indomitable Lions defeated the eventual winners, but a new talent began to blossom against the African side.
In his first-ever tournament representing his country, the 2003-born Luka Bogavac turned clutch with back-to-back daggers and 13 points, still giving Montenegro some hope. In the post-game press conference, he emphasized that playing alongside Nikola Vucevic was his dream. We're sure he will have more opportunities from now on.
Brice Eyaga Bidias - Cameroon
Stats: 10.0 EFF, 10.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG - 47.8% FG, 80.0% 2PT, 80.0% FT
For someone who is both representing the new wave of Cameroonian basketball and taking the first steps toward bringing the African country to contention for an Olympic spot in Riga, this was almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
That's why Brice Eyaga Bidias gave it his all on the court for the Indomitable Lions, providing hustle plays and being the second-highest scorer on the squad behind Jeremiah Hill. Scoring 15 points on 5/8 shooting from the field in the shocking victory over Brazil, he couldn't have started his tournament better. Latvia, however, understood his qualities and limited the forward's versatility on both ends.
He will be there for his people for many more years to come.
Mareks Mejeris - Latvia
Stats: 11.0 EFF, 4.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 APG - 46.7% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 75.0% FT
Usually, they say that a good start is half the job, but that wasn't the case for Latvia in Riga. However, the impact provided everywhere on the court by Mareks Mejeris in Luca Banchi's team's crushing debut against Georgia can't easily be forgotten.
Being named TCL Player of the Game after a perfect shooting night (5/5 from the field) for 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, the 33-year-old forward was there from the first tip-off. He wasn't part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, but he made sure to leave everything on the court at Arena Riga.
The ultimately disappointing result doesn't take anything away from Mareks Mejeris' impact on both ends of the floor.
Dwight Ramos - Philippines
Stats: 15.0 EFF, 13.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.7 APG - 42.4% FG, 47.4% 3PT, 100.0% FT
Taking Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto out of the equation, Dwight Ramos was the man of the moment for Gilas Pilipinas in Riga.
His name has been circulating for quite some years in his home country, hoping that he could finally deliver on the big stage. Tim Cone gave him the tools to do it.
Making sure he could be free most of the time on the perimeter, he responded quickly and effectively to the opponents' defensive adjustments.
The result? An unbelievable run that ended only against Brazil in the Semi-Finals and an impressive 13.7 points per game on 47.4% from three-point range for the 25-year-old shooter.
Georginho De Paula - Brazil
Stats: 6.5 EFF, 5.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 2.0 APG - 40.0% 3PT
Coming off his first full season away from Brazil to embrace an overseas journey, Georginho De Paula wanted to prove himself with Aleksandar Petrovic's squad. Playing only 11 minutes collectively between his team's first two encounters against Montenegro and Cameroon, however, limited his time to show his value.
Due to a lack of assets in the playmaking position, losing Raul Neto to injury in the debut, and concerns about Yago Santos' health status, he was given huge responsibilities in the do-or-die grandstand. Not only did he perform well against the Philippines, but he also elevated his effort in the final showdown against Latvia, finishing with 14 points—including a thunderous dunk—and 5 assists.
Keep an eye on Brazil's number 32, starting from the Olympic stage in Paris.
Williams Narace - Cameroon
Stats: 9.3 EFF, 9.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG - 57.9% FG, 50.0% 3PT
Jeremiah Hill said that when Cameroon plays in a happy mood, everything works better on the court.
The happiness provided by Williams Narace was exactly what this team needed. Bouncing everywhere on the court, whether for dunking or blocking, the 27-year-old showcased his athleticism and verticality in Riga.By far the best in keeping Alfred Aboya's team in contention against Latvia in the Semi-Finals, he finished with a 15-point losing effort—a statement for his upcoming national team duties.
He has been representing his country on the global stage since 2017. If the opportunity to make it to the Olympic Games comes back, there's no doubt you will hear his name again.
Arturs Strautins - Latvia
Stats: 9.3 EFF, 9.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG - 42.1% FG, 54.5% 3PT, 87.5% FT
Like Mareks Mejeris, another key player emerged in Latvia's opener against Georgia. Arturs Strautins led Latvia in scoring with an 18-point performance, characterized by perfect shooting from beyond the arc (4/4) and at the free-throw line (3/3).
However, he struggled against the Philippines and Cameroon, and he was unable to make an impact in the final against Brazil. The talent is undoubtedly there. By adding just a pinch of consistency to his game, he could start the 2024-25 Basketball Champions League campaign with Derthona in the right way.
Leo Meindl - Brazil
Stats: 15.0 EFF, 14.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.8 APG - 42.9% FG, 52.6% 3PT, 80.0% FT
Saving the best for last, the player who elevated his status the most at the beginning of July in Latvia is undoubtedly Leo Meindl. His name may have been unfamiliar to European fans, having spent most of his career in Brazil and the recent 2023-24 season in Japan, but he will surely be remembered now.
Starting Brazil's outstanding 8/8 three-point party in the first quarter, the 31-year-old forward finished as TCL Player of the Game against Latvia with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
After the game, he shared his emotions about heading to Paris. Happiness was the common ground for Brazil to get to the Olympic Games, and the team's number 14 embodied that spirit.
FIBA