Player Rankings: Who are Europe's Top 20 leading stars?

MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 road is open and with other major events like the Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and Paris 2024 lying ahead, the biggest stars are ready to work.

So, as we enter this first of three qualifying windows for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025, it's the perfect time to consider who the leading 20 European ballers are. 

The list was compiled by our panel of expects for the purposes of fan entertainment and discussion in the lead up to some major events with updates to follow along the way.

1. Emma Meesseman - Belgium 

POWER FORWARD 

Birth Date: May 13, 1993
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm 
Club: Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding (TUR)

The reigning FIBA Women's EuroBasket MVP after propelling Belgium to their historic maiden title, it was just another stopping point on Meesseman's bulging resume, since this calendar year also saw her propel Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding to their historic first EuroLeague Women title. Unstoppable, classy and an absolute top leader on and off the floor. It's tough to make a case to knock her off the top podium step of this distinguished list.

2. Marine Johannes - France

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth Date: January 21, 1995
Height: 5ft 10in / 1.77cm
Club: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)

A relentless and arguably unrivalled walking highlights reel, Johannes is one of the biggest, if not the biggest magnet to draw fans to the women's game. Her skills and capacity to entertain and get everyone off their seats are off the charts and she is now revered by some of the biggest men's basketball stars in the world and many other athletes. Stepping back into EuroLeague Women action with ASVEL is going to please her army of admirers and hopefully it won't be long until she suits up with France.

3. Cecilia Zandalasini - Italy

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth Date: March 16, 1996
Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86 cm 
Club: Virtus Segafredo Bologna (ITA)

An exceptional talent, Zandalasini has sometimes blown hot and cold since the days of her extraordinary youth performances. But there's no denying she's a phenomenal player capable of winning any game. A momentum shifter and clutch baller, the guard is playing some of her best basketball with Virtus Segafredo Bologna. She'll be eager to show she's one of the top ballers on the continent when wearing the Italy vest again, looking to make up for a disappointing FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023.

4. Alina Iagupova - Ukraine

SHOOTING GUARD / SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: February 9, 1992
Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86 cm 
Club: Cukurova Basketbol Mersin (TUR)

Another player who possesses breathtaking basketball ability and is capable of destroying opponents when she gets the hot hand, Iagupova is a a runaway train when she gets going. From her distinctive downtown shooting range, blasting her way to the hoop or high-flying athleticism around the hoop, you can lap it all up in the bunch of highlights packages she has put up. She's also a seriously good creator too and when it comes to Ukraine, it's all eyes on their marquee player and leader. 

5. Gabby Williams - France

SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: September 9, 1996
Height: 5ft 11in / 1.80 cm 
Club: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)

A brilliant athlete and highly positive influence on any team, Williams has established herself as a go-to player for club and country. Her impact for France at Tokyo 2020, the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 and the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 was significant. They miss her a lot when she is not available Her defense is impeccable and her do-it-all ability mindset but within a strong team framework is always balanced so beautifully. Yes, just about everyone loves Gabby's game.

6. Satou Sabally - Germany

POWER FORWARD 

Birth Date: April 25, 1998
Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm 
Club: Shandong (CHN)

A Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding fan favorite, Sabally is currently making an impact in China during her rookie season there. At international level, she missed out on the FIBA Women's EuroBasket, but if Germany can get her back into the mix, it would potentially lift them into the top tier of nations. Her strength, poise and talent at both ends of the court would be hugely exciting with the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in February and FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2026.

7. Alba Torrens - Spain

SHOOTING GUARD / SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: August 30, 1989
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92 cm 
Club: Valencia Basket Club (ESP)

What to say about the Spanish and European legend? Torrens showed this past summer there's plenty left in the tank to be a star - as demonstrated by her All-Star Five berth in Ljubljana. With a glittering resume, she's been Spain's focal point during the most successful period in their history and you can't keep her down. Her talent, that trademark smile whether on or off the court, don't be surprised if she's the architect of Valencia Basket Club realizing their dream of a first EuroLeague Women Final Four.

8. Julie Allemand - Belgium 

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: July 7, 1996
Height: 5ft 9in / 1.74 cm 
Club: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)

A brilliant playmaker who's pulled the strings masterfully during Belgium's epic rise to prominence on the European and global stage, Allemand passes the rock with consummate ease and is one of the best point guards in the game. Her All-Star Five spot for the Cats in the wake of their first ever FIBA Women's EuroBasket title was throughly deserved. She also helped LDLC ASVEL Feminin to EuroCup Women silverware last season. There are few ballers who hand out assists with such deadly accuracy.

9. Teja Oblak - Slovenia

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: December 20, 1990
Height: 5ft 8in / 1.72 cm 
Club: ZVVZ USK Praha (CZE)

An outstanding leader in every way, Oblak continues to get better with age and her influence on Slovenia is almost immeasurable. While they struggled at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, the way this young team looked to the guard for inspiration tells you all you need to know. Her displays in EuroLeague Women have been superbly consistent and impressive in these past seasons with ZVVZ USK Praha and whether it's dimes, buckets or defense you need, she will fulfil the order. 

10. Mariella Fasoula - Greece

CENTER

Birth Date: September 2, 1997
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92 cm 
Club: Perfumerias Avenida (ESP)

The outpouring of love for the center after her recent ACL injury with Perfumerias Avenida is one part of the story around the popular center. A big favorite with fans and fellow players, everyone is counting down the days until she is back on the court. Not least because when she is patrolling the paint, she is a tower of strength at both club level and especially for her beloved Greece. Always super smart in her shot selection, her efficiency is always great and she is a double-double waiting to happen.

11. Raquel Carrera - Spain

CENTER

Birth Date: October 31, 2001
Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm 
Club: Valencia Basket Club (ESP)

12. Yvonne Anderson - Serbia

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: March 8, 1990
Height: 5ft 9in / 1.75 cm 
Club: Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding (TUR)

13. Leonie Fiebich - Germany

SHOOTING GUARD / SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: January 10, 2000
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92 cm 
Club: Casademont Zaragoza (ESP)

14. Maria Conde (Spain)

SHOOTING GUARD/ SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: January 14, 1997
Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86 cm 
Club: ZVVZ USK Praha (CZE)

15. Sandrine Gruda - France

CENTER

Birth Date: June 27, 1987
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm 
Club: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)

16. Julie Vanloo - Belgium

GUARD

Birth Date: February 10, 1993
Height: 5ft 6in / 1.86 cm 
Club: Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring (TUR)

17. Anete Steinberga - Latvia

CENTER

Birth Date: January 29, 1990
Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm 
Club: Tango Bourges Basket (FRA)

18. Virag Kiss - Hungary

POWER FORWARD

Birth Date: April 12, 1998
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.94 cm 
Club: Cukurova Basketbol Mersin (TUR)

19. Temi Fagbenle - Great Britain

POWER FORWARD

Birth Date: September 8, 1992
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm 
Club: London Lions (GBR)

20. Awak Kuier - Finland

POWER FORWARD 

Birth Date: August 19, 2001 
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.94 cm 
Club: Umana Reyer Venice

Disclaimer: This is not an official FIBA ranking. The views are that of the author and the list was compiled by a panel of contributors for entertainment purposes to be enjoyed by fans.