By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroBasket is finally back carrying plenty of talent spread across the 24 national teams getting ready to play in Prague, Tbilisi, Cologne, and Milan, and hoping to punch in a ticket to the knockout stage of the tournament in Berlin.
It has been five years since the last edition of EuroBasket. An even younger Luka Doncic and tournament MVP Goran Dragic led Slovenia to the gold medals back in 2017.
As the opening day of September 1st approaches, Eurohoops scanning the rosters heading to the 2022 EuroBasket ended up with a list of the Top 10 Players.
The process was complicated. Apart from the 35 NBA players readying to represent their respective countries, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars such as Vasilije Micic and Jan Vesely are coming in for Serbia and the Czech Republic, respectively, but did not fit in our Top 10. The list consists exclusively of NBA players but Dennis Schroder, Evan Fournier, and more European NBA stars also missed the cut.
Check our Top 10 Players in EuroBasket 2022.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
EuroBasket experience: 2015 (5th)
Other international competitions: 2014 World Cup, 2016 FIBA OQT, 2019 World Cup
The Greek Freak tops our list. More experienced and most importantly better equipped to dominate compared to the previous bids in major FIBA tournaments, Giannis Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly the player to watch in the 2022 EuroBasket.
Greece heavily relies on the Milwaukee Bucks superstar to get the job done.
2. Luka Doncic
EuroBasket experience: 2017 (1st)
Other international competitions: 2020 FIBA OQT, 2020 Olympic Games
A fond memory is a stretch for most 23-year-old professional players but not for Luka Doncic. From helping in the historic success in 2017, he is back now as Slovenia’s protagonist. Accustomed to quarterbacking his team, expect fireworks in the next few weeks.
A potential back-to-back would be special.
3. Nikola Jokic
EuroBasket experience: Rookie
Other international competitions: 2016 FIBA OQT, 2016 Olympic Games, 2019 World Cup
Wait. The back-to-back NBA MVP is in third place? It is a matter of opinion but Nikola Jokic is more than capable of leading Serbia all the way to the gold medals in EuroBasket.
A potentially alarming issue for the Serbia national team is that the Joker is the lone NBA player on the roster. The same can’t be said for the remaining contenders.
4. Rudy Gobert
EuroBasket experience: 2015 (3rd)
Other international competitions: 2014 World Cup, 2016 Olympic Games, 2019 World Cup, 2020 Olympic Games
Plenty of international experience but only the second EuroBasket campaign coming up for Rudy Gobert. A bronze medalist in 2015, he is slated as the top threat to France’s opponents.
When all is said and done, he opens a new NBA chapter at the Minnesota Timberwolves.
5. Domantas Sabonis
EuroBasket experience: 2015 (2nd)
Other international competitions: 2016 Olympic Games, 2019 World Cup, 2020 FIBA OQT
Lithuania is the only country making our Top 10 twice. Domantas Sabonis is half of the reasons why.
Moved to the Sacramento Kings in February, the former Gonzaga standout has been eager to make some noise. After lifting the crowd in Golden 1 Center, EuroBasket is definitely the place to be in September.