FIBA Women's EuroBasket Top 100 Scorers: 20-1

MUNICH (Germany) - With just 20 days left until the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 begins, it's time for the last part of our rundown of the top 100 scorers in competition history.

This previous four volumes have already charted those placed from 100 to 21, but now it's the last and most important edition as we check out the top 20!

Ranks 100-81
Ranks 80-61
Ranks 60-41
Ranks 40-21

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=20. Evladiya Slavcheva SLAVTCHEVA  

FORWARD

Birth date: 25/02/1962
Points: 586
Games played: 51
Participations: 8 (1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993)
Medals: 🥈(1983) 🥉(1989)

There are not many players in the history of the competition who can boast eight participations and had she not missed out in 1985, it would have been nine consecutive appearances. One of the best Bulgarians ever, male or female, the forward was instrumental in her nation making the Final in 1983 with a brilliant near 24 points per game which was the second highest in the tournament.

=20. Elena BARANOVA 

FORWARD

Birth date: 28/01/1972
Points: 586
Games played: 51
Participations: 7 (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003)
Medals: 🥇(1991, 2003)🥈(2001) 🥉(1995, 1999)

Arguably one of the most under recognized Russian players ever, Baranova was an immense baller with massive talent, whose consistency was incredible and her main asset. The forward picked up five medals from her seven Final Round appearances, interestingly as part of the Soviet Union's last success in 1991 and then the first for Russia some 12 years later. 

17. Judith Andrea BALOGH 

FORWARD

Birth date: 16/03/1968
Points: 601
Games played: 33
Participations: 6 (1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997)
Medals: 🥉(1985, 1987, 1991)

Putting the ball in the hoop was what Balogh did best and she was someone that other players were eager to watch because of the extensive skill set she had on offense in particular.  A winner of three gold medals with Hungary, it was the 1991 edition that epitomized her influence as she poured in almost 20 points per game to finish as the second best scorer in the competition. 

16. Evanthia MALTSI 

GUARD
Birth date: 30/12/1978
Points: 604
Games played: 43
Participations: 7 (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011,  2017)

Maltsi was the driving force behind a glorious period for Greece at the Continental level when they competed with the top teams. Her seven participations saw her showcase her immense scoring abilities and none more so than in 2009 when she was crowned MVP despite Greece not even making the Semi-Finals. Meanwhile, in 2017, Maltsi did take them into the last four with typically brilliant displays.

15. Alba TORRENS 

SMALL FORWARD
Birth date: 30/08/1989 
Points: 612
Games played: 40
Participations: 6 (2009., 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Medals: 🥇(2013, 2017, 2019) 🥉(2009

A three-time champion, Torrens was MVP in 2017 when she ensured Spain recaptured the title they had unexpectedly relinquished two years earlier. With her trademark smile and uber levels of popularity with fans - and not just those who are Spanish, Torrens is renowned for playing the game in the kind of engaging and entertaining way everyone loves. Plus, if you need clutch, then she is a lock.

14. Vanja VOJNOVA 

CENTER
Birth date: 27/12/1934
Points: 619
Games played: 45
Participations: 6 (1952, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1966)
Medals: 🥇(1958)🥈(1960, 1964)🥉(1954, 1962)

Enshrined into the FIBA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2007, the Bulgarian was a colossus on the court for her country. She scored 14 points per game to deliver their greatest ever moment when they were crowned champions at the 1958 edition in Poland. The powerful center also picked up two silver in what was three Final appearances, plus two bronze medals as well. 

13. Catarina POLLINI  

CENTER
Birth date: 16/03/1966
Points: 640
Games played: 44
Participations: 7 (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995)
Medals: 🥈(1995)

Inducted into the 2022 FIBA Hall of Fame, Pollini is a celebrated player who stepped out for a record 252 senior games for Italy between 1983 and 1996, as well as scoring a record 3,903 points. At the Final Round, her longevity and quality was underlined in leading Italy to seven consecutive editions, managing to reach the Final in 1995 where she picked up a silver medal.  

12. Amaya VALDEMORO   

SMALL FORWARD

Birth date: 18/08/1976
Points: 675
Games played: 51
Participations: 8 (1995, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013)
Medals: 🥇(2013)🥈(2007)🥉(2003, 2005, 2009)

With an eye-catching eight editions, Valdemoro picked up five medals and went out in style by signing off with her first title and gold at the 2013 tournament.  Before she arrived on the scene, her country had only pocketed one medal previously and Valedemoro used her scoring power and class to drive the transformation of Spain becoming regular contenders and eventually the standout nation. 

11. Olga SUKHARNOVA 

CENTER
Birth date: 14/02/1955
Points: 677
Games played: 64
Participations: 9 (1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987)
Medals: 🥇(1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987)

There are not many players in the history of the competition who managed to amass no fewer than 9 participations, let alone collect nine winner medals, which makes her one of the most decorated players ever at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. The center was a constant menace in a Soviet Union jersey for almost two decades, with her brilliant consistency in the paint offering a great platform.

10. Zsuzsanna BOKSAY  

 

CENTER

Birth date: 13/10/1960
Points: 700
Games played: 46
Participations: 7 (1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993)
Medals: 🥉(1983, 1985, 1987)

Hungary had not won a medal in 27 years and then along came the physical presence of Boksay in the paint and it was not long before she inspired three consecutive podium finishes. With her breathtaking accuracy and finishing ability, she was a massive part of three bronze medals and even when stepping out for her last Final Round appearance in 1993, she was the top scorer in the competition.  

9. Lenke KISS 

GUARD

Birth date: 08/10/1951
Points: 701
Games played: 44
Participations: 6 (1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1983)
Medals: 🥉(1983)

A phenomenal guard and scoring force,  it is remarkable that Kiss exceeded 700 points from just 44 games. Her brilliance is reflected in the fact that she was the leading scorer at the 1978 edition with almost 23 points per game and then as second highest in the competition during 1980. She went on to open her own basketball Academy and passed on her vast know-how to thousands of kids.

8. Carla Ida DE LIEFDE 

FORWARD

Birth date:  25/03/1950
Points: 703
Games played: 53
Participations: 8 ( 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981)

With 185 caps for her country and eight participations at the Final Round, the fact Dutch basketball enjoyed its most sustained and successful period was largely down to the brilliance of De Liefde. Once crowned European Player of the Year, her passion for the sport was massive. Her mother formed the club she stayed at all her career and she also then took the hand of another player in marriage. 

7. Katalin RATVAY-CZIRAKINE 

Points: 748
Games played: 55
Participations: 8 (1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976)

Hailing from a basketball family, her brother also played for the national team, with Ratvay-Czirakine making her name early in her carer when she top scored at the third of eight Final Round appearances. She poured in almost 21 points per game and remains one of the most gifted players to have missed the podium steps.  A super talent, her best placing was 4th in her penultimate event.

6. Penka STOYANOVA

FORWARD
Birth date: 21/01/1950
Points:777
Games played: 61
Participations: 8 (1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981)
Medals: 🥈(1972) 🥉(1976)

Stoyanova featured in a staggering 580 national team games and in eight editions of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. The high point came when Bulgaria made the title game in 1972, with the forward netting almost 22 points per game as the second highest scorer in the competition. Her skills also led to her being the first Bulgarian female player to play professionally outside of her homeland.

5. Maria STEPANOVA 

CENTER

Birth date: 23/02/1979
Points: 807
Games played: 60
Participations: 8 (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011)
Medals: 🥇(2003, 2007, 2011) 🥈(2001, 2005)🥉(1999)

With a brilliant eight participations, the overriding feature of Russia winning three titles, two silvers and a bronze when she was in their lineup was Stepanova's value at both ends of the court. She was the rock upon which they built their success. Defensively she dropped the anchor and in scoring terms, her height, skills and basketball IQ all contributed to making her a nightmare matchup for opponents. 

4. Agnes NEMETH 

CENTER
Birth date: 22/09/1961
Points: 813
Games played: 54
Participations: 8 (1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1997)
Medals: 🥉(1983, 1985, 1987, 1991)

The center was a dominant figure and played an incredible 367 times in a Hungary vest  She appeared at eight editions of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket between 1980 and 1997, collecting a bronze medal on four separate occasions. The FIBA Hall of Famer average more than 20 points per tournament for her team across those quartet of podium finishes which underlines her stellar ability.

3. Sandrine GRUDA  

 

CENTER

Birth date: 25/06/1987
Points: 839
Games played: 58
Participations: 7 (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021)
Medals: 🥇(2009)🥈(2013, 2015, 2019, 2021)🥉(2011)

Still active. it's jaw-dropping that Gruda could be about to rack up yet another appearance at the showpiece event for France this year when they take to the floor for the 2023 edition. Only once missing out on the podium when she has featured, that speaks volumes. A classy baller with a trademark baseline jumper that is like clockwork, Gruda is a legendary figure not only in France but across Europe.

2. Marija VEGER-DEMSAR 

GUARD/FORWARD

Birth date: 26/12/1947
Points: 933
Games played: 53
Participations: 7 (1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978)
Medals:🥈(1968, 1978)🥉(1970)

A Serbian legend, she was one of the most versatile and gifted scorers in European women's basketball history.  Few who have ever stepped onto the court have had a jump shot as deadly or as easy on the eye. She took her team to the title game twice, won a bronze and in 1976 dropped a spectacular 41 points in a game against hosts Poland and averaged an eye-bulging 27 points per game.

1. Uliana SEMJONOVA 

CENTER

Birth date: 09/03/1952
Points: 1014
Games played: 68
Participations: 10 (1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985)
Medals: 🥇 (1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985)

It's a perfect 10 gold medals from 10 participations for the top player in the list and a baller many believe was the best European ever. Semjonova was a giant who proved mostly unstoppable as the centerpiece for Sovet Union. The Latvian legend is the only person that's scored more than 1,000 Final Round points, with the FIBA Hall of Fame member a fitting baller to have at the number one spot.

FIBA