Tbilisi and Skopje were the stages for the next generation of European stars to showcase their talents, many of them for the first time on the big stage. Serbia got the win in Division A, joined by Lithuania, Slovenia, Italy, France and hosts Turkiye in next year’s U17 World Cup. From Skopje, Poland, Belgium and Czechia got the promotion from Division B, in a highly competitive tournament. Taking into account such a talented pool of players, here’s a list of the ones to keep an eye on in the next few years, sorted by my evaluation of their potential (highest potential first and so on).

Nathan SOLIMAN

France | 6’8 | Wing | Per Game Stats: 20.0 pts, 10.0 rebs, 2.3 asts

It’s possible you’ve been hearing this name for quite a few years now, but Soliman only tuned 16 in May. The do-it-all French wing impressed once again, finishing 3rd in scoring and 2nd in rebounding and blocks. Known for his defensive acumen, he has great timing as a rim protector or guarding the passing lanes. Already well-developed, both physical and in his perception and processing of what is happening around him, he guards multiple positions and covers a lot of ground for his team. Offensively, he shows some signs of self-creation, with great efficiency as an inside finisher and someone who can find scores from the low post, reading the traps that come as well. The outside is the skill that is taking longer to develop, but more than the percentages, it’s important to focus on the volume and he has been upping that.

Areas of development: Soliman is already a well established player in the European landscape and the highest ranked player on this list. It will be interesting to watch how he develops his handle and overall on-ball creation, with a close look on his outside shot.

Nikola KUSTURICA

Serbia | 6’8 | Wing | Per Game Stats: 20.0 pts, 7.7 rebs, 3.4 asts

The MVP of Division A, Kusturica met the high expectations pre-tournament with spectacular performance after spectacular performance, especially in elimination games. Can create in tight spaces, especially if he gets to the low/medium post. Gets to the basket with ease and has many different ways he can finish plays. Great size and length, has tremendous extension on his finishes and can go above the rim. Always eady to try different things, he’s a capable passer and a risk-taker with the ball in his hands. Impresses with his range after a catch or dribble, being able to go for a three anywhere on the offensive end, despite his age. Defensively, his high activity, anticipation and ground coverage provide good help and highlight-worthy plays on the last line of the defense as a shot blocker.

Areas of development: will be looking for more repetitions on the ball, letting his length, long strides and handle help him maximize his rim attacks as a creator. With more attention on him, I’ll be looking for the way he deals with it and how his passing creativity improves.

Jan CERDAN

Spain | 6’9 | Forward | Per Game Stats: 11.0 pts, 4.8 rebs, 2.3 asts

One of the youngest but also one of the players with a more mature play style, Cerdan dealt with some injury problems but still provided a glimpse of his potential in Tbilisi. Playing more as a back to the basket 4, he has the common Spanish ability of making tough plays seem simple. Has advanced footwork, high IQ with quick reads on the offensive ends and a soft touch inside. Knows how to play outside, able to attack closeouts and small pockets of space off the dribble and shoot the open 3. He’s a willing passer and can have the offense go through him at such a young age. Defensively, he’s mobile enough to come out and guard wings, but it’s inside as a help defender that he shines the brightest.

Areas of development: my interest going forward resides in him wanting to become more of a protagonist on the offensive end, as he shows a tendency to overpass instead of taking risks and going for his shot, especially on face ups.

Toni GARMA

Croatia | 6’6 | Wing | Per Game Stats: 17.0 pts, 6.6 rebs, 1.1 asts

Garma was the big name to watch in Division B – and he didn’t disappoint, despite Croatia’s 8th place finish. The 2010-born wing has the tools to be a secondary ball handler with some initiator skills. The main weapon at the moment seems to be his quick motion into a smooth stroke, both off the catch or off the dribble. He isn’t afraid to take any shot from the perimeter and is usually on point. As a driver, he does a good job of getting inside and protecting the ball for tough finishes, handling contact well at the rim. Looks mostly for his shot at this point, trying to attack as soon as he gets the ball.

Areas of development: it will be intriguing to follow his development on the ball. Doesn’t show much in terms of playmaking right now, with more simplified passes. As a driver, he still struggles a bit on the way to the rim, so cleaning that up could help immensely, as he does a great job once he’s at the basket.

Lun JARC

Slovenia | 6’9 | Forward | Per Game Stats: 14.9 pts, 6.0 rebs, 2.9 asts

Slovenia will be back on the U17 World Cup after an impressive 3rd place finish at the U16 EuroBasket. And a lot of it has to do with Lun Jarc. His offensive versatility at 6’9 is intriguing. Great size and fluid movement with some outside shooting sprinkled in. Has no trouble stepping out to shoot, is confident and once he gets into a groove, becomes such a difficult player to stop. Likes to play from the low post and create from there. He’s capable of going to work with his back to the basket or face up and pull up if the defense gives him the space.

Areas of development: his low post game is based more on strength than on skill at the moment, so being able to counter defenses with different moves as he gets more repetitions should be on the cards. He also seems to disappear a bit on the defensive end, which is a shame considering his size and mobility.

Omer KUTLUAY

Turkiye | 6’4 | Guard | Per Game Stats: 24.1 pts, 4.0 rebs, 6.0 asts

Credit: FIBA

Probably the most exciting guard in Europe in his age range, Kutluay’s overall shot creation led him to the top spot on the scorers list and second in assists at the U16 EuroBasket. A ball handler in complete control at all times, he rarely loses the ball. And that’s not to say he doesn’t take risks, but they are calculated risks that accompany his skilled playmaking. High energy with the ball in his hands, he likes to get inside with a tantalizing dribble, knowing how to protect his shot or get to the line. Seems to be a more willing shooter right now, mainly off the dribble as the ball is always in his hands. Despite the lean frame, he’s constantly looking to get involved defensively with quick hands and never-ending energy.

Areas of development: getting more outside shots up is good, but as a ball handler, he still shows some discomfort when pulling up or stepping back, with his shot looking much better when he has the time and balance to go up. Something to keep following for a player who doesn’t seem to have any problems getting inside.

Petar BJELICA

Serbia | 6’10 | Big | Per Game Stats: 15.0 pts, 9.7 rebs, 4.0asts

Well, they’ve got another one. “They” as in Serbia, “another one” as in another powerful big with extraordinary footwork, touch and high IQ. The only player at the EuroBasket in the top 10 in points, rebounds and assists, Bjelica quickly jumps off the screen with the way he uses his body to get to easier scoring positions. Makes great use of his upper and lower body strength, is patient in his approach and the ability to finish plays well. Really good passer from the low and high post, he finds cutters and shooters without a problem and is willing to get the ball to a teammate. Tries to be involved on the offensive boards at all times and processes the game quickly, with some mobility on the defensive end.

Areas of development: his game is polished, but I would like to see more of his handle, which stood out at times. Can he be an initiating big or more of a low post scorer?

Roger VILLAREJO

Spain | 6’7 | Wing | Per Game Stats: 13.9 pts, 4.3 rebs, 1.4 asts

The high-flying Roger Villarejo was Spain’s best and most consistent player in Tbilisi. The athleticism and explosiveness pops immediately while watching. A lean frame with length, he gets off the ground quickly and seemingly without a problem. Always in attack mode trying to get to the basket as a handler or cutter, his continuous movement becomes hard to deal with for defenses, while showcasing intriguing moments as a ball handler in tight spaces to get off difficult situations. Pulls the trigger from three off the catch, with a fluid motion. The mobility and activity are there on the defensive end as a wing defender.

Areas of development: is he going to have more opportunities to handle in the half-court in order to develop some self-creation, as he’s geared to be an off-ball wing at the moment? And is there something more to his shot than off the catch attempts?

Paul-Julius PLATO

Germany | 6’8 | Forward | Per Game Stats: 14.3 pts, 6.6 rebs, 1.7 asts

Stretch forward/big, capable of playing the 4 or 5. Constantly trying to get to the basket, with a good handle considering his size and the ability to absorb contact on his way to the rim. Does a great job of sealing his man inside for easy scores. Can also shoot, even if the shooting motion needs some tuning. Capable handler in the open court, advances off the offensive rebound and can go all the way. Elite reads and anticipation on passing lanes on the defensive end, puts pressure on the opposition and either forces his man to catch away from the 3-point line or gets the steal. Works well as a primary or secondary rim protector, using his length and timing pretty well.

Areas of development: good two-way player who has the chance to be more than that. Being more willing to shoot and finding ways to force the defense to foul him, as he sometimes shies away from contact, despite his ability to finish through it.

Gustav DREJER ERICHSEN

Denmark | 6’8 | Guard | Per Game Stats: 15.6 pts, 4.1 rebs, 3.1 asts

It’s never easy to find shot creators with this type of size and fluidity in their movement, but Drejer Erichsen definitely provides it. Capable of getting out of tight spaces with his handle and quick body fakes. Has the patience, maturity and body to get inside, go through contact and still finish or get a foul. Able to get up and finish above the rim when he has the space to attack, he’s a resourceful and toolsy rim attacker. Makes quick reads with some flair when getting the ball to a teammate, delivering from a standstill position or on the move. The shot is there, be it off the dribble or coming off screens and he also provides value on the defensive end, with a developed body and great timing as a help defender to disrupt plays or block shots.

Areas of development: the mid-range and overall ability to stop when driving and find a score when the defense packs the paint shows some promise, but the volume isn’t there yet. As well as the playmaking, especially the way he manipulates defenses not only for his teammates’ benefit, but for his own.