Eight leading performers from the Group Phase

IZMIR (Turkey) - It's been a frantic first few days at the FIBA U18 European Championship and as the tournament hits the rest day, it's time to reflect on some of the standout individual performances so far.

Here's a closer look at eight of the top performers:

IZAN ALMANSA - Spain  

CENTER

Birth date: June 7, 2005 (17 years old)
Height: 207cm / 6'9"

Tournament Stats: 15.3PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 68% FG

The Spanish prospect is averaging a near double-double for Spain after helping them ease through the Group Phase with three wins from three. Almansa was the MVP at the recent FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 and continued his rich vein of form with 21 points and 13 rebounds against Germany before following that with 16 points, 10 boards, 3 steals and 2 blocks in a win over the hosts, Turkey. Almansa rounded out his performances so far with 13 points in 19 minutes as the Spanish star keeps impressing.

BERKE BUYUKTUNCEL - Turkey  

SMALL FORWARD

Birth date: September 2, 2004 (17 years old)
Height: 206cm / 6'9"

Tournament Stats: 13.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.3 APG

There were high expectations for Buyuktuncel heading into the tournament on home soil and the bright prospect has showcased his talent for Turkey. The 17-year-old opened with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals in a win against Poland before stepping up with a 20-point outing against strong opposition in Spain. Buyuktuncel then contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists to help fuel Turkey's comeback effort in beating Germany in their final group game.

BILAL COULIBALY - France  

SMALL FORWARD

Birth date: July 26, 2004 (18 years old)
Height: 199cm / 6'6"

Tournament Stats: 13.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.0 SPG

France are among the leading contenders for the title and Coulibaly is one of several players to keep an eye on as they make their mark in Izmir. The recently turned 18-year-old is a versatile weapon for France with his athleticism at both ends. Coulibaly produced an all-round effort of 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting along with 5 steals and 2 blocks against North Macedonia in limited minutes before another efficient performance in the win over Israel to conclude the Group Phase unscathed.

MOTIEJUS KRIVAS - Lithuania  

CENTER

Birth date: December 1, 2004 (17 years old)
Height: 212cm / 6'11"

Tournament Stats: 14.0 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG

Lithuania are another side off to a strong start in the tournament with a 3-0 record in the Group Phase. Krivas has been a key contributor with 42 points and as many rebounds across the three games as the only player in the competition to record a double-double in every outing. The towering center posted 13 points and 13 rebounds in under 20 minutes in Lithuania's opener before an important 17 points and 15 boards followed against Italy. Paulius Murauskas has been another leading performer for the team as the duo boost their title hopes.

ZACHARIE PERRIN - France  

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: August 30, 2004 (17 years old)
Height: 208cm / 6'10"

Tournament Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.0 APG

Perrin is another of the key performers for France. The University of Illinois commit is second in team scoring behind Coulibaly, whilst leading the way in rebounds with 7.7 boards per outing. Perrin had a quickfire double-double in the rout over Great Britain before doubling his scoring output with 20 points in the decisive victory against Israel for top spot, on Monday. Then there's also Sidy Cissoko and Kymany Houinsou to consider as they rank in the top 12 for efficiency, so it's no surprise to see France starting out strong.

FILIP RADAKOVIC - Serbia  

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: May 7, 2004 (18 years old)
Height: 200cm / 6'7"

Tournament Stats: 19.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG

Radakovic sat out Serbia's final group game as they completed a perfect 3-0 record inside three days. The 18-year-old made an impression on the tournament in the opening two games with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the first game to go with 10 points before a further 17 points and 8 boards against Greece. Radakovic can return fresh for the knockout stages as Serbia step up their pursuit of the title that they last won back in 2018.

ALEXANDROS SAMODUROV - Greece  

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: April 20, 2005 (17 years old)
Height: 211cm / 6'11"

Tournament Stats: 11.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG

Samodurov's numbers are impacted by an ankle injury he sustained two minutes into Greece's final group game with Slovenia, but the 17-year-old certainly lit up the tournament across the opening two days. The promising prospect has all the tools to succeed and announced himself in the first game with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead his team to victory over Czech Republic. Samodurov was kept relatively quiet against Serbia with 12 points and 5 rebounds in defeat before his third game was cut short due to injury.

NOAM YAACOV - Israel  

POINT GUARD

Birth date: October 20, 2004 (17 years old)
Height: 186cm / 6'1"

Tournament Stats: 15.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 2.3 SPG

The all-round skillset of Yaacov has been on display for Israel with the point guard leading the tournament in the passing charts with 6.0 assists per game. Yaacov is not just efficient at creating for his teammates, but is a more than capable scorer in leading the team with 15.7 points per outing. The ASVEL prospect came up against familiar opposition in the game against France in a tough encounter having started the tournament with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals in a stat-stuffing display.

FIBA