The 2025 FIBA EuroBasket will commence on August 27, with Latvia as the host nation. Numerous past and present NBA players will be featured in the tournament, creating intrigue for basketball fans across the pond in America.
The tournament will span roughly three weeks before crowning a gold medal to the champion, a silver medal to the runner-up, and a bronze medal to the third-place finisher. With the 2025 EuroBasket fast approaching, we broke down the top 10 players to watch throughout the tournament. We’ll kick it off with the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, a guy looking to parlay a successful tournament into a breakout sophomore campaign in the NBA.
10) Zaccharie Risacher, France
Although Zaccharie Risacher had perhaps the least hyped rookie season by a first overall pick in modern history, that doesn’t mean he wasn’t valuable for the Atlanta Hawks. A deep dive into his play last season suggests that he can be a high-level role player very soon, with the potential for more if he can develop his shot creation skills.
One thing is for sure: Risacher can shoot the rock. He connected on 35.5% of his triples as a rookie, a mark that will surely improve considering his increased comfort level and sweet shooting stroke.
With France facing the absence of organizational cornerstone Victor Wembanyama, who’s still recovering from blood clots, Risacher will have the ball in his hands more and have more opportunities to create his shot. Look for the 2024 top pick to get a fair amount of shots and take a needed step forward in his development.
9) Dennis Schröder, Germany
Dennis Schröder has been a staple on the German national team for over a decade. Just 31 years old, he’ll continue again this summer as the lead guard on a team that’s among the favorites in the tournament.
While Schröder has carved out a successful NBA career as a change-of-pace reserve guard, although he’s set to assume a starting role for the Sacramento Kings this coming season, his quickness and deft passing ability are highlighted even more on the smaller FIBA court.
There’s also something to being given the reins of the offense for your home country; an opportunity that Schröder relishes every time he suits up for Germany.
8) Franz Wagner, Germany
Schröder’s running mate on the German national team is Franz Wagner, who’s become a dominant go-to scorer. Last season for the Orlando Magic, Wagner averaged 24.2 points per game despite hitting just 29.5% of his 3-pointers. A hitch in his jumper has derailed his success from deep after converting on 36.1% of his triples in his second season.
Regardless, Wagner enters the tournament as one of the top players. His imposing 6’10”, 220-pound frame allows him to outmuscle defenders on his way to the basket.
While Schröder sets the table for the German team, make no mistake — Wagner is the one who could take them all the way. If they’re to earn a medal, it’ll be because the Magic forward enforced his will on opposing teams.
7) Kristaps Porziņģis, Latvia
Competing for the host country of Latvia, the hype surrounding Porziņģis will be at an all-time high — especially considering there was a significant question over whether he’d even be present for the tournament. Playing for the Boston Celtics last season, Porziņģis was a shell of himself for most of the season with an illness that still has yet to be determined.
Now back to full health, the Atlanta Hawks center is easily the best player on Latvia’s roster and will be the vocal point on both ends.
At 7’2″, Porziņģis has no issue pulling up from 30 feet out, which will look even farther in FIBA than in the NBA, as the line is shorter. He’s also a prolific shot-blocker, covering for his teammates on the back line and sending shots into the stands.
With a home crowd behind him, Porziņģis will be a fun player to watch during the tournament.
6) Deni Avdija, Israel
Deni Avdija’s first season with the Portland Trail Blazers was a massive success, as the fifth-year forward finally lived up to his potential as a lottery pick in 2020. His role increased throughout the season, as he averaged 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 50.8% shooting from the field and 41.8% from 3-point range in the final 20 games of the season.
It was easily the best stretch of basketball Avdija has played in his career, and he hopes to continue that into his time with the Israeli national team this summer.
Without any NBA experience outside of Avdija on the roster, Israel faces tough medal odds. But if Avdija manages to take his game to another level, there’s a world where they sneak into the medal rounds and surprise the world.
5) Alperen Şengün, Turkey
A first-time All-Star in 2025, Aperen Şengün was another player who had a breakout 2024-25 campaign in the league. Drafted 16th overall in 2021 by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Houston Rockets, Şengün has established himself as a long-term starter in Houston and was rewarded with a 5-year, $185 million contract last summer.
Despite not being overly athletic, although he will surprise with a poster dunk here and there, Şengün’s style of play is highly entertaining. Excelling out of the low and high post, the Rockets center has tremendous vision and has no problem throwing high-risk, flashy passes that routinely end up on the highlight reel. He’s also an able scorer out of the post, using his footwork to dominate bigger defenders and size to overpower smaller ones.
On a roster with several NBA-caliber shooters such as Furkan Korkmaz, Shane Larkin, and Cedi Osman, and a powerful, high-flying finisher in the Philadelphia 76ers’ Adem Bona, Şengün should have a field day as the conductor of Turkey’s offense.
4) Lauri Markkanen, Finland
Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen has consistently shown out with the Finnish national team during EuroBasket in recent years, and 2025 is no different. In exhibition games, Markkanen has scored 40 points twice on eye-popping efficiency.
Lauri Markkanen is averaging 40.3 PPG on 68.6% FG, 53.8% 3PT in EuroBasket exhibition games:
42 PTS, 12 REB, 3 3PM
31 PTS, 5 REB, 4 3PM
48 PTS, 9 REB, 7 3PM(h/t @UnderdogNBA ) pic.twitter.com/53RlT9lr8t
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 17, 2025
Standing at 7 feet, yet able to put the ball on the floor and shoot from deep, the Jazz forward is one of the most versatile players in the NBA and arguably in the entire EuroBasket tournament.
He’s the only NBA player on the Finnish squad, ensuring he’ll carry a heavy load. But for fans, seeing Markkanen have free rein to shoot from wherever on the court and attempt to take his country to the medal rounds single-handedly should be highly entertaining.
3) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
There’s an argument to be made that Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most electrifying player that the NBA has ever seen. Nearing seven feet tall, with a chiseled, 240-pound frame and the athleticism of an NFL running back, wide receiver, and tight end combined, Antetokounmpo is a scary sight for opponents when he’s in the open court or heading to the rim.
His 2024-25 stats tell much of the story, as he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists on 60.1% from the field while adding 2.1 steals and blocks combined per game. Antetokounmpo was everywhere for the Bucks a season ago and will be for the Greek national team.
While several players with NBA experience are on the Greece national team roster (among them are his brothers, Thanasis and Kostas), the ball will be in Antetokounmpo’s hands, and the outcome of the tournament will solely rest on the performance of the two-time NBA MVP.
2) Nikola Jokić, Serbia
Serbia enters as the favorite to win the 2025 EuroBasket for one reason: Nikola Jokić will be suiting up for them. Jokić hadn’t previously played for Serbia in every EuroBasket opportunity, opting to enjoy his offseason away from the rigors of the NBA.
But this summer, the Denver Nuggets’ superstar will be in the fold for the Serbian national team. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Serbia came close to beating the USA, holding a double-digit lead with eight minutes remaining. They eventually lost thanks to a miraculous comeback by the Americans, settling for a bronze medal after defeating Germany in the third-place match.
Jokić’s play style — highlight-reel worthy passes, soft touch floaters, and masterful skills in the post — has been well-advertised, as he’s a three-time MVP in the NBA. But for Serbia, his importance is elevated even further. Watch for Jokić to avenge last summer’s disheartening loss to the USA with a spirited run at the gold medal in EuroBasket.
1) Luka Dončić, Slovenia
No player takes the privilege of playing for their home country more seriously and with as much pride as Luka Dončić. For as long as he’s been a professional, Dončić has participated in every single Slovenia national team contest — exhibition or not — that he’s been able to schedule-wise.
And we may see the best version of Dončić we’ve ever seen: enter “Skinny Luka.” His offseason has been heavily publicized, with the Los Angeles Lakers star shedding weight and looking toned for the first time in years. He threw down several poster dunks early in his career with the Dallas Mavericks, something that could now be on the table with increased mobility and athleticism.
He suffered a knee injury in Slovenia’s exhibition game against Latvia, but has since been cleared. With no other NBA player on the Slovenia roster, Dončić will have to put the team on his back, shouldering a hefty load — but something that could pave the way to a potentially legendary 2025 EuroBasket run.
