MUNICH (Germany) - We are entering the final stages of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, and it was another example that the future of European basketball is in good hands with a number of young players making an impact. Here's a selection of 15 young players - born in 2002 or later - who made their mark during the second EuroBasket Qualifiers window.
Izan Almansa - Spain
One of the most decorated players in FIBA youth basketball history made his long-awaited debut for the Spanish senior national team and Almansa was solid during his first contest, putting up 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting during Spain's double-OT win against Slovakia. It was a quick turnaround for the defending champions who were winless before this window, but with their two wins against Slovakia, they have earned qualification for FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
Thijs De Ridder - Belgium
It was back-to-back heartbreak for Belgium during this window, as they lost both games against Latvia by a total of five points. One of the positives from this window was De Ridder, who at just 21 years old has become one of the most productive players for Belgium. The Bilbao forward proved once again his versatility on both ends of the floor by stuffing the statsheet; averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block while shooting 53.3 percent from the field during this window.
Quinn Ellis - Great Britain
GB split the series against Greece, including an upset win where they rallied from a 17-point deficit. One of the reasons for their success was the magnificent play of Quinn Ellis, who averaged 14 points, 6 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 3 steals while shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range during the window. As Great Britain heads to the final window with a 2-2 record and everything still in front of them, they seem to have found their point guard of the future in Ellis.
Furkan Haltali - Türkiye
Haltali made an impact across the board during Türkiye's home win against Hungary, where the 19-year-old center put up 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 2 assists in 20 minutes of play. Türkiye has tremendous depth at the center position, with Alperen Sengun and Omer Yurtseven generally filling up the top two spots at the position, but with his combination of size, toughness and touch around the basket, Haltali is developing into a viable option at the position for his national team.
Jack Kayil - Germany
The 18-year-old guard has been one of the breakthrough players of the 2024-25 season, putting strong performances in the Adriatic League for Mega Basket and he was similarly impressive during this window. After being held scoreless during his first game, Kayil quickly turned the page and put up 10 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in a home win against Sweden. With his athleticism, defensive impact and ability to create shots for himself and others, it's easy to see Kayil being a big part of the German national team in the future.
Oleksandr Kovliar - Ukraine
Kovliar has become the heart and soul of the Ukrainian national team during the Qualifiers. The 22-year-old is leading his team in points and assists, and during the latest window he averaged 15 points and 3 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field. Despite Kovliar's heroics, Ukraine is still looking for its first win during the competition and will face an uphill battle during the final qualification window in February, but they have certainly found an important piece of their future in Kovliar during the competition.
Yannick Kraag - Netherlands
The Netherlands got their first win during this window and they are relying on young players, with Keye van der Vuurst, Tristan Enaruna and Yannick Kraag all playing key roles for the Oranje. The Joventut wing is leading the Netherlands in minutes per game during the Qualifiers and he stepped up once again during this window, averaging 12 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2 steals while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three, while putting his combination of size, athleticism and shooting ability on display.
Timotej Malovec - Slovakia
At just 20 years of age, Malovec is already one of the most productive players for Slovakia, ranking top three in rebounds, assists and steals. The 2.02m (6ft 8in) forward averaged 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 assists during the window, while utilizing his combination of size, fluid ball-handling ability and shooting touch to score from multiple levels of the floor. Slovakia will have a tough task, as they will go winless into the final qualifying window, but Malovec should be one of the keys for Slovakia's future.
Ben Saraf - Israel
Israel qualified for FIBA EuroBasket 2025 during this window after sweeping their double-header against Ukraine, and Ben Saraf saw his first-ever minutes for the senior national team, after a productive career at youth levels. The Ratiopharm Ulm wing showed why he's projected as a first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, especially during the second game, where he put up 11 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds while shooting 5-of-9 from the field.
Luka Scuka - Slovenia
Scuka is in the middle of a productive and efficient season for Braunschweig in the German Basketball Bundesliga and he continued that trend during the window, averaging 9 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range. Scuka's combination of 2.09m (6ft 10in) size, shooting ability and defensive impact make him an unique prospect whose versatility could be very helpful for a Slovenia squad that has now qualified for FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
Kasper Suurorg - Estonia
Suurorg, who had mostly seen limited playing time in previous national team appearances was able to hit his stride in this qualifying window, averaging 12 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.4 percent from the field, as Estonia split their double-header against Poland.
Filippos Tigkas - Cyprus
Cyprus has already qualified for FIBA EuroBasket 2025 as one of the hosts and Tigkas has looked solid through the competition. The 1.82m (6ft 0in) guard is a quick shot creator who can get to the rim with his speed and convert shots off the dribble from the perimeter. Tigkas averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists during the window and he should be one of the most productive players for Cyprus in next year's EuroBasket.
Nolan Traore - France
Traore made his anticipated debut for the senior national team and he more than lived up to the hype, averaging 9 points and 4 assists during the window. The 18-year-old guard showed why he's projected as one of the top picks in the 2025 NBA Draft with his combination of 1.92m (6ft 4in) size, creative ball-handling and passing vision. He could be an important piece for France as they look to punch their ticket to EuroBasket during the final qualifying window.
Azuolas Tubelis - Lithuania
Lithuania punched their ticket to FIBA EuroBasket 2025 after a pair of wins against North Macedonia and Tubelis was especially productive at home, where he put up 14 rebounds, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block in just 14 minutes of play. The 22-year-old forward has made the most of his playing time during the Qualifiers, and it's easy to envision him developing into a long-term impact player for Lithuania with his interior finishing, flashes of ball-handling and versatile defensive impact.
Vangelis Zougris - Greece
Zougris has cemented himself as a key piece in Greece's frontcourt during the Qualifiers. The 2.02m (6ft 8in) forward is a threat in the paint with his explosive finishing and tenacious rebounding, but he also makes an impact on the defensive end of the floor. Zougris averaged 8 points and 6.5 rebounds during the window while shooting 70 percent from the field. With his efficient performance, it shouldn't be a surprise if he's called up once again as Greece tries to clinch a EuroBasket spot during the final qualification window.
FIBA