MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers will provide the perfect stage for some of the best young guns on the continent to showcase their respective potential and skills.
We've put together the ultimate watchlist of rising stars ready to shine for their national teams in the competition.
Dominique Malonga - France
CENTER
Birth Date: November 16, 2005 Height: 6ft 6in / 1.98 cm Club: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)
The teenager has catapulted herself into the consciousness of the wider basketball fanbase with her dunking ability, but these don't define Malonga. She's putting up huge numbers at club level with ASVEL. She's growing in influence with France and won silver at Paris 2024. Her huge wingspan, tremendous athleticism and sheer size is matched by an evolving skill level that could one day see her become one of the most dominant ballers in the women's global game.
Juste Jocyte - Lithuania
SHOOTING GUARD/ SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: November 19 2005 Height: 6ft 0in / 1.84 cm Club: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)
A phenomenon because of how young she was when breaking records for her first appearances with Lithuania, Jocyte also made waves at youth level and in EuroLeague Women. Capable of great things, the way she plays is easy on the eye. She glides across the floor, always looking like she's got all the time in the world and it's a sign of a super player. That graceful and skillful base is also connected to a killer mentality as she takes teams down with her scoring ability.
Iyana Martin Carrion - Spain
GUARD
Birth Date: Jan 18, 2006 Height: 5ft 9in / 1.74 cm Club: Perfumerias Avenida (ESP)
One of the best young guns on the continent, she has one of the most rapidly growing profiles, something accelerated by her first footsteps in EuroLeague Women with Perfumerias Avenida. Before this she was an absolute unstoppable scoring machine for Spain at youth level - including being crowned FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup MVP. Her offensive power will be welcomed with open arms by the senior team and she is an amazing long term prospect.
Faith Ehi Etute - Luxembourg
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: October 24, 2005 Height: 6ft 0in / 1.83 cm Club: University of Oregon (USA)
Ever since she pulled on a national team vest at youth level, Etute has put up seriously mind-blowing numbers and is a walking double-double. A magnet for MVP awards, when she moved to senior level ahead of time, her eye-bulging production continued. She has still been able to use her power and skills in the paint to accumulate stunning displays - both for Luxembourg and in EuroCup Women last season. She's a colossus and her country's marquee player by far.
Emma Cechova - Czechia
CENTER
Birth Date: July 12, 2004 Height: 6ft 5in / 1.95 cm Club: Zabiny Brno (CZE)
The 20-year-old continues to evolve impressively, having jumped onto the radar with her performances at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. While those who had already seen her at youth level were not surprised, she's since pushed the fast forward button on her career and starred in EuroLeague Women for Zabiny Brno. Her height and length offer a great shot blocking ability and she's a handful at both ends of the court. She's the long term lock as Czechia's center.
Matilde Villa - Italy
GUARD
Birth Date: December 9, 2004 Height: 5ft 9in / 1.75cm Club: Umana Reyer Venezia (ITA)
You have to put Villa's name and the word fearless in the same sentence. It's a characteristic that's seen her punch way above her weight so brilliantly for so long. Regularly up against older players at youth and club level, she's established herself in the senior side and will soon be a leader for Italy. Her scoring and creative abilities are extensive and she loves standing toe to toe with any opponent. She's also shown this in EuroLeague Women with Umana Reyer Venezia.
Nastja Claessens - Belgium
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: December 6, 2004 Height: 6ft 0in / 1.84 cm Club: IDK Euskotren (ESP)
Dominant in younger age group competitions, the forward signed off her FIBA youth career with an MVP award at the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2024, Division B. It was rich reward for her impressive and consistent displays. Claessens then had the thrill of unexpectedly playing at Paris 2024 as a late injury replacement. Now she will look to cement her place in the Cats' lineup. Her mobility and skill level is impressive, with her switch to the high flying EuroCup Women side IDK Euskotren also helping to grow her game.
Ajsa Sivka - Slovenia
FORWARD
Birth Date: November 23, 2005 Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92 cm Club: Tarbes Gespe Bigorre (FRA)
Also landing MVP accolades at youth level, Sivka was fast-tracked to senior national team action and played a big role for Slovenia when co-hosting FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. While this tournament was a disappointment results-wise, the silver lining was the forward's contributions. She also showed big potential at Schio in EuroLeague Women and has since moved to Tarbes in EuroCup Women. Tall, multi-skilled and still only 18, there's so much still to come.
Frieda Buhner - Germany
FORWARD
Birth Date: May 28, 2004 Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86cm Club: Movistar Estudiantes (ESP)
This calendar year has seen Buhner rocket to prominence. She stormed the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket and got a call to jump straight to Paris 2024 and be part of Germany's first ever Olympics. It was a fairytale and she extended this with a great debut display against Belgium off the bench. Now playing in EuroCup Women, Buhner has shown all her attributes in full. She has a great mindset, a super extended shooting range and is an unassuming but deadly assassin.
Leila Lacan - France
GUARD
Birth Date: June 2, 2004 Height: 5ft 11in / 1.81 cm Club: Basket Landes (FRA)
It was last summer that the guard showed her teeth and made everyone sit up and take notice. A surprise pick for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, she landed bronze. Then Lacan was one of the leading lights at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup a few weeks later. She's since won Olympic silver at Paris 2024 and is balling impressively in EuroLeague Women with Basket Landes. Quick, always active and with a super IQ, she suits France's style really well.
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