MIAMI (United States) – Several rising stars stood out during Window 2 of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers. Players born in 2002 or later showed they can play an even bigger role with their national teams going forward. Let’s take a look at 15 players who made an impact in the games played November 21-25:
Gonzalo Corbalán - ARG
He wasn’t just one of the best young players, but likely the most important for Argentina in the second window. The 22-year-old guard was the most consistent offensive player in his team’s victories over Venezuela and Colombia, with 16 and 15 points scored, respectively. All in all, he averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds.
Nicolás Martínez - URU
He had an excellent debut with the national team in the game against Paraguay. At just 21 years of age, Martinez positioned himself as one of his country’s top prospects. In the win that qualified them to the 2025 AmeriCup, he shined with 20 points thanks to shooting 7-for-9 from the field with 5 rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Gael Bonilla - MEX
Just like Corbalan for Argentina, Bonilla was his country’s best player and the most important during Window 2. The 21-year-old forward has been playing for the senior team since 2021 and is showing continued growth and poise. On this occasion, against Nicaragua and Canada, he displayed a lot of versatility in the form of 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
Juan Fernández - ARG
At 21 years of age, Fernandez has been growing steadily in importance for Argentina. During the second window, he had important contributions – especially in the win against Venezuela with 20 points and 8 rebounds. He also showed continued growth with his outside shot, draining 5 three-pointers in the game. He finished the November games with averages of 13.5 points, 7.0 boards and 1.0 steals.
Phillip Wheeler - PUR
The supremely Athletic Wheeler has a lot to offer to the boricuas, especially on the offensive end. In the game against United States, he showed part of his repertoire with 13 points and several highlight plays. During the window, he averaged 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. At 21 years of age, he’s been shining in the G League as he seeks to get himself a spot in the NBA.
Reynan Santos - BRA
The shooting guard, who excelled in the youth events for Brazil including the U19 FIBA World Cup in 2023 (16.6 points), is one of those players with great attacking instincts. During this window he was able to establish himself and show great intensity on both ends of the floor. Across the wins against Uruguay and Panama, he averaged 6.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals. Reynan is poised to become a fixture for the senior team, a big accomplishment for a country that usually features loaded squads.
Guillermo Navarro - PAN
The small point guard is an offensive dynamo. At 21 years of age, he made his debut with the senior team and produced 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists for Panama in the win over Paraguay. Against Brazil, a bigger and more athletic opponent, he was held to just 2 points.
Mateo Bianchi - URU
After showing interesting things in the Liga Sudamericana group stage with Defensor Sporting (6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds), he got the call-up to the Uruguayan senior team. In the games against Brazil and Paraguay, he averaged 14 minutes per game and produced 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. At 22 years of age, he has the potential to secure a permanent spot on a team that sorely lacks size.
Sebastián Konrad - PAR
The forward was the bright spot for a Paraguayan squad that remains winless. The 21-year-old made his debut for the senior team and scored 5 points in each of the losses against Panama and Uruguay. He shot 50 percent from the field in 14.0 minutes per game.
Karim López - MEX
Lopez is Mexico’s top prospect and one of the best in the region, profiling as a high NBA Draft pick in the near future. At 17 years of age, he’s playing in the highly competitive National Basketball League in Australia and that has helped his growth process tremendously. In the win over Nicaragua, he saw 14 minutes of action and finished with 5 points, including a dunk that was a big highlight. He added 3 rebounds (all on the offensive glass), 2 assists and 2 steals.
Joshua Lemon - PAN
The 20-year-old Lemon impressed with his speed and leaping ability. At 5’11, those traits can turn him into an interesting player if he’s able to develop an outside shot. In his national team debut for Panama, he scored 6 points against Paraguay and 2 against Brazil for averages of 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, an assist and a block.
Yeferson Guerra - VEN
In a window where nothing went Venezuela’s way, the 21-year-old Guerra took a step forward against Chile despite the blowout loss. The combo guard scored 10 points with an assist and a steal. That was his third game with the senior team after making his debut last February.
Lucas Vieira - BRA
Just like Reynan, Lucas Vieira was coming off a good showing at the U19 FIBA World Cup in 2023 and also made his debut for the senior team. Beyond the stats, the point guard look fluid and without any hesitation against more experienced players. In the win over Panama, he produced 8 points with a rebound, a steal and a block. For the window, he averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds.
Franger Pirela - VEN
With the imminent exit from veterans like Gregory Vargas, David Cubillan and Heissler Guillent from the national team, Pirela is one of those young players expected to take over the point guard duties for Venezuela. After going scoreless in his first 2 games, he had 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in the loss against Chile.
Mathias Vazquez - BRA
The 16-year-old was one of Brazil’s top players at this year’s U18 FIBA AmeriCup (12.0 points and 5.2 rebounds) and that earned him the call-up to the senior team so he can begin getting experience. The youngster, currently playing for Betis in Spain, played 14 minutes in the win over Panama and finished with 2 points, 3 rebounds and a steal.
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