GDYNIA (Poland) - The first three days of FIBA U20 EuroBasket have been eventful, with multiple close games, upsets and a number of memorable individual performances. As teams prepare for their Round of 16 match-ups, we go over 10 players who made the biggest impact during the Group Phase at Gdynia.
Urban Klavzar - Slovenia
Point Guard
Birth Date: May 26, 2004 (20 years old) Height: 1.85m (6ft 1in)
Tournament Stats: 13.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
On the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's last U20 EuroBasket title, the team looks poised to make a deep run, finishing the Group Phase as one of just two undefeated squads left in the tournament. Slovenia cruised through their games against Montenegro and Iceland, while taking care of business in a close contest against Lithuania and in all three games, Klavzar was instrumental for Slovenia, giving the team a much needed level of ball-handling and self-created scoring.
The 1.85m Guard is an impressive shotmaker who can hit jumpers both off the catch and off-the-dribble, while also utilizing his gravity as a shooter to create driving lanes for himself and open shot opportunities for teammates.
Izan Almansa - Spain
Power Forward
Birth Date: June 6, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.07m (6ft 9in)
Tournament Stats: 14.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.3 SPG
After a tenth-place finish in last year's FIBA U20 EuroBasket, their worst result in 15 years, Spain has come out of the gates storming, finishing the Group Phase undefeated and outscoring their opponents by an average of 33 points. Almansa has made an impact for Spain with his versatile scoring profile, being able to finish pick-and-roll and transition plays like a traditional big man, while also showcasing his ability to drive the ball and hit midrange jumpers.
One of the most decorated players in the history of FIBA youth tournaments, with a U18 EuroBasket title, a U19 World Cup and three different MVP awards under his belt, Almansa and Spain are looking tremendously difficult to beat and could be up for yet another deep run at Gdynia.
Filip Jovic - Serbia
Power Forward
Birth Date: January 31, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.04m (6ft 8in)
Tournament Stats: 17.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Serbia came out on top of Group A, where they beat reigning champions France, but ultimately fell in a close game to Greece. Much like in last year's gold-medal run at U18 EuroBasket, Jovic has been a key for Serbia during the Group Phase, finishing as the tournament's second-leading scorer, and doing it with tremendous efficiency, as the Serbian forward is shooting 57.6 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
Jovic's efficient scoring and overall versatility will be extremely valuable for Serbia during the next stages of the tournament, as they look for their first U20 title in nearly a decade.
Noah Penda - France
Small Forward
Birth Date: January 6, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in)
Tournament Stats: 14.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG
France's bid to win back-to-back U20 EuroBasket titles hit a major bump on the road, as the reigning champs dropped their game against Serbia, falling to second place in Group A. France will now have to face a tough Germany squad in the Round of 16, setting up a Quarter-Finals match-up against either Montenegro or powerhouse Spain.
The bad news, however, ends there for Les Bleus, as they have one of the most talented squads in the tournament, and Noah Penda is in the midst of a breakout campaign at Gdynia. The 2.02m forward has made an impact on multiple levels of the floor for France, with his efficient scoring, rebounding and shot blocking in the paint, while also contributing with his perimeter shooting and his playmaking for others.
Emre Melih Tunca - Türkiye
Point Guard
Birth Date: October 12, 2005 (18 years old) Height: 1.96m (6ft 5in)
Tournament Stats: 17.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 RPG, 1.0 SPG
While Tunca had already been an important piece last year for Türkiye, both at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup and the U18 EuroBasket, the Anadolu Efes guard took a leap this year, becoming the true offensive engine of the Turkish team. Tunca is a big point guard who utilizes his combination of size, length and speed to get to the rim and shoot over smaller defenders. The 18 year old is also a creative ball-handler and playmaker for others, who can control the tempo of the offense and set up teammates to score.
Türkiye will have a tough test in the Round of 16 against Lithuania. If his team makes a deep run, Tunca, who is currently leading the tournament in points and is second in assists, could find himself in the MVP conversation.
Motiejus Krivas - Lithuania
Center
Birth Date: November 30, 2004 (19 years old) Height: 2.18m (7ft 2in)
Tournament Stats: 14.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.0 BPG, 1.0 APG
Lithuania's defense is having an incredible tournament, holding opponents to just 60 points per game on 30.7 percent from the field. The key for Lithuania in this area has been Motiejus Krivas, who is leading the tournament in blocks while also ranking in the top five in rebounds. The 2.18m center utilizes his massive size not just to wreak havoc on defense, but also to impose himself on the offensive end of the floor, finishing plays around the basket, creating possessions for his team with his offensive rebounding and drawing fouls at a good rate.
Krivas has been a consistent contributor for Lithuania through his career in FIBA youth competitions and they will rely on his ability to dominate the paint to come out on top against what looks to be a tough Round of 16 match-up against Türkiye.
Ilija Milijasevic - Serbia
Point Guard
Birth Date: February 5, 2004 (20 years old) Height: 1.89m (6ft 2in)
Tournament Stats: 15.7 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG
Milijasevic's 20-point performance against France was not only instrumental for Serbia to claim first place in Group A, it was also proof of how vital Milijasevic's aggressive scoring mentality and tough shotmaking ability are in Serbia's scheme. The 1.89m guard is on an absolute tear at Gdynia, ranking in the top five in points per game, while dishing 3.0 assists per game against just 0.7 turnovers per contest.
Despite dropping one of their games in the Group Phase, Serbia is looking like one of the top teams in the competition and with Milijasevic's offensive firepower, they could be one of the teams that reach the definitive stages of the tournament.
Alon Michaeli - Israel
Center
Birth Date: November 26, 2005 (18 years old) Height: 2.03m (6ft 8in)
Tournament Stats: 14.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Despite a close loss in the last game of the Group Phase, Israel finished atop their group and are keeping the hope of making their sixth-straight Semi-Finals alive. The key for Israel has been efficient scoring, as they lead the tournament in three-point percentage, while ranking in the top three in field goal percentage, and Michaeli has been the embodiment of said efficiency.
The 2.03m Forward has been on a tear, averaging 14.3 points per game on 58.6 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range. Michaeli has also been productive as a defender, leading his team in rebounding and blocks.
Vangelis Zougris - Greece
Center
Birth Date: October 13, 2004 (19 years old) Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in)
Tournament Stats: 13.7 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Despite Greece's 1-2 start to the tournament, Zougris has seemingly picked up where he left off from last year's tournament, where his performance earned him an All-Star Five nod. Zougris is averaging a double-double, while leading the tournament in rebounds per game. The 19-year-old forward has provided Greece with strong screen-setting, prolific rebounding and powerful driving and finishing around the basket.
Coming out of an incredibly tough group that saw them face reigning champions France, powerhouse Serbia and home team Poland, Greece will head for another tough battle against Israel, and they will need Zougris to continue making an impact in order to reach the definitive stages of the tournament.
Paulius Murauskas - Lithuania
Forward
Birth Date: February 13, 2004 (20 years old) Height: 2.04m (6ft 8in)
Tournament Stats: 12.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.7 BPG
Murauskas is averaging a double-double on tremendous offensive efficiency, shooting 88.9 percent from inside the arc, while also posting 3.3 assists against just 1.0 turnover per game. The 2.04m Forward has been impactful for Lithuania with his usual versatility, utilizing his ball-handling and shooting skills to contribute from the perimeter, but also his sheer size and strength to make an impact as a rebounder and interior finisher.
Luck of the draw has Lithuania in the same side of the bracket as Türkiye, Israel and Greece. If Lithuania can make it to the Semi-Finals, they will be one of the most battle-tested teams left standing and definitely one of the candidates to win it all; something that's definitely possible with the dynamic duo of Murauskas and Motiejus Krivas.
FIBA