By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A total of 28 countries are looking to join hosts Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland in the 2025 EuroBasket. The window tipping off the final Qualification Round generated upsets across the continent, disrupting qualifying bids for several contenders, including Spain. But the values of international basketball are not all about wins and losses.
Breakout performances by youngsters and more experienced players shying off top-tier action at the club level once more display the constant expansion of basketball to new areas and the beauty of the sport.
Among numerous potential selections, Eurohoops focused on the top five new faces of the window played between February 22 and 26. Not all rookies, still far from household names most of the fans are familiar with through continental and domestic leagues in Europe.
Tarik Biberovic
In immediate danger of a 0-2 start in Group B of the EuroBasket Qualifiers, Turkiye avoided a winless window when Tarik Biberovic turned and made a midrange jumper as time ran out against Iceland in Istanbul on Sunday.
Biberovic, 23, debuted with the senior national team of Turkiye under Ergin Ataman. A brilliant introduction by averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest, besides emerging as the last-second hero in Gameday 2.
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 58th overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft, staying with Fenerbahce Beko for the 2023-24 season boosted development. His clutch talents came with an increased role. Similar to the game commentator, fans enjoyed the buzzer-beater, especially those supporting Turkiye.
Jonas Delalieux
Twelve years after representing Belgium in the second division of the 2012 U20 European Championship, Jonas Delalieux as an experienced forward earned his first senior cap. Two appearances, actually, with 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game as the Lions marched to 2-0 in Group C of the EuroBasket Qualifiers.
Delalieux, 31, lasted 28 minutes against Slovakia and Spain under the guidance of Dario Gjergja. His outings can set up more call-ups heading to the international windows of the 2024-25 season with Belgium aiming to get the job done and clinch a berth in the next edition of EuroBasket.
Playing for Hubo Limburg United through most of his career, grinding and making plenty of noise in the betFirst BNXT League over recent years lifted him from the club to the international level. Joining the national team, a very successful project, was the most recently accomplished task.