Rising Stars of EuroBasket 2025: Top 10 NBA Players to Watch

EuroBasket 2025: A New International Opportunity for NBA Stars

With the absence of the traditional Summer Olympics, NBA fans will miss out on seeing thrilling performances from stars like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant vying for gold medals. However, there’s an exciting international opportunity on the horizon with EuroBasket 2025, scheduled from August 27 to September 14, featuring 24 teams from Europe—including powerhouse squads like France and Serbia, both of which were recently bested by Team USA in the knockout stages of the 2024 Olympics.

The tournament is notable for the strong representation of NBA talent, with esteemed players from teams such as Serbia, Germany, Greece, and Slovenia expected to participate. This means that although all European NBA stars may not take the court, the overlap between the NBA and EuroBasket will be significant. Additionally, the performance of these athletes in the upcoming NBA season will offer important insights into their potential impact on the tournament, and vice versa.

Top 10 NBA Players Likely to Participate in EuroBasket 2025

To prepare for EuroBasket 2025, we’ve compiled a ranking of the Top 10 NBA players likely to take part in this prestigious event. Our analysis relies on advanced metrics like Estimated RAPTOR, which measures individual and team impact stats, as well as projections that take into account players’ ages and historical performance.

It’s important to note that these assessments reflect expected contributions for the entire 2025-26 NBA season; actual player forms may vary by the tournament’s start date. For instance, older players may arrive at EuroBasket fresher than they will be later in the NBA season, while younger stars may continue to develop. As rosters are still being finalized, this ranking primarily features those players anticipated to play.

The Stars to Watch

1. Nikola Jokić (30, Denver Nuggets)
   2024-25 Projections: +7.1 Offense, +1.1 Defense, +8.2 Overall

   As the MVP of the last five regular seasons, Jokić will lead Serbia’s team, which is favored to win EuroBasket after suffering a painful semifinal loss to the U.S. last summer. His motivation to secure a EuroBasket title is amplified, especially since Serbia has not triumphed in this tournament since 2001.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (31, Milwaukee Bucks)
   2024-25 Projections: +5.0 Offense, +0.7 Defense, +5.7 Overall

   Renowned for his consistent high-level performance, Giannis has been a top MVP contender. With Greece, he hopes to improve upon their lackluster recent international results. If cleared to play, he will again be a formidable force on the court.

3. Luka Dončić (26, Los Angeles Lakers)
   2024-25 Projections: +4.5 Offense, +0.7 Defense, +5.2 Overall

   Fans will be particularly eager to see Dončić’s performance at EuroBasket after his well-publicized offseason transformation. Since debuting internationally at a young age, he has consistently excelled, and expectations are high for him to shine again.

4. Franz Wagner (24, Orlando Magic)
   2024-25 Projections: +3.1 Offense, +0.9 Defense, +4.0 Overall

   Coming off his best NBA season, Wagner’s impact on Germany’s squad is crucial for their title chances, especially following strong showings in previous international competitions.

5. Alperen Şengün (23, Houston Rockets)
   2024-25 Projections: +1.8 Offense, +0.6 Defense, +2.4 Overall

   Şengün’s aspirations to win both EuroBasket and an NBA championship highlight his competitive drive. His upcoming performances will be pivotal for Turkey’s likelihood of success.

6. Kristaps Porziņģis (30, Atlanta Hawks)
   2024-25 Projections: +1.7 Offense, +0.4 Defense, +2.2 Overall

   With a storied past in international play, Porziņģis aims to elevate Latvia’s prospects in EuroBasket, especially given their status as hosts this year.

7. Deni Avdija (25, Portland Trail Blazers)
   2024-25 Projections: +0.7 Offense, +0.4 Defense, +1.1 Overall

   Avdija’s career-high season makes him a player to watch, especially in an international context where he has previously excelled.

8. Santi Aldama (25, Memphis Grizzlies)
   2024-25 Projections: +0.4 Offense, +0.5 Defense, +0.9 Overall

   As Spain navigates a transitional phase, Aldama’s role will be critical. Despite recent struggles, his individual growth presents an opportunity to shine in EuroBasket.

9. Neemias Queta (26, Boston Celtics)
   2024-25 Projections: -0.4 Offense, +0.7 Defense, +0.2 Overall

   Despite his limited exposure in the NBA, Queta’s participation in EuroBasket could prove pivotal for both his team and his personal development.

10. Nikola Jović (22, Miami Heat)
    2024-25 Projections: -0.3 Offense, +0.4 Defense, +0.1 Overall

    The Serbian player is expected to play an important role in his second EuroBasket appearance and could emerge as a standout.

Additional notable players include Nikola Vučević (Montenegro), Dennis Schröder (Germany), and Guerschon Yabusele (France), among others. As the EuroBasket event approaches, excitement is building among fans eager to witness the international showcase of talent.