Top 10: 2026 Rising Star Trophy candidates 

The EuroLeague Rising Star Trophy has been handed to a who's who of basketball great over the years, including the likes of Rudy Fernandez, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Mirotic, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Luka Doncic. Six former Rising Stars will play in the EuroLeague this season: Kostas Papanikolaou (2013), Usman Garuba (2021), Rokas Jokubaitis (2022), Yam Madar (2023), Gabriele Procida (2024) and Nadir Hifi (2025).

Who will be next? To be eligible for the 2025-26 season award, candidates had to younger than 22 on July 1, which means born after July 1, 2003. Among the dozens of eligible players likely to play in the EuroLeague this season, here are my top 10 candidates.

### 1 - Saliou Niang, Virtus Bologna (DOB: 14 May 2004)

[Saliou Niang ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saliou-niang/012687/)flashed some special skills in the BKT EuroCup last season as an all-around force, despite his tender age. Over Niang's last five games in the competition, he averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for a PIR of 12.4. And then he went off for Italy at EuroBasket 2025 with 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds, including a double-double in a memorable victory over Spain. It appears that Niang's time has arrived in Bologna.

### 2 - Jean Montero, Valencia Basket (DOB: 3 Jul 2003)

The 2024-25 EuroCup Rising Star, [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jean-montero/profile/010042/) was a stud for Valencia last season, when he also claimed 2024-25 All-EuroCup First Team honors. His huge EuroCup campaign might have led to Montero's being the favorite here to claim EuroLeague Rising Star honors, however, an injury to a finger on his right hand that required surgery will cause Montero to miss the start of the season. Still, if he returns to full form quickly, Montero should be in the thick of the race for the trophy.

### 3 - Juan Nuñez, FC Barcelona (DOB: 4 Jun 2004)

[Juan Nuñez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juan-nunez/010106/) seems to be fully recovered after missing six months with a torn meniscus. He already debuted in Barcelona's preseason opener and impressed with game-winning free throws. The playmaker was worth 5.0 points and 3.4 assists in 15 minutes last season as a EuroLeague rookie before the injury. Long seen as one of the top guards of his generation, Nuñez will look to make up for lost time and emerge as a key player for Barca. If he does, he becomes an instant Rising Star Trophy candidate.

### 4 - Momo Faye, Paris Basketball (DOB: 5 Feb 2005)

[Momo Faye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mouhamed-faye/012403/) is one of the premier big man prospects in Europe after dominating the paint in the Italian League last season for the second year in a row. His monster averages of 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks – in addition to 10.3 points on 64.4% shooting – for Reggio Emilia were enough to make many stand up and take notice. After seeing him rank fourth in the league in rebounds and third in blocks while playing most of the season as a teenager, Paris pounced to sign Faye and he should get plenty of run this season.

Momo Faye is one of the premier big man prospects in Europe

### 5 - Melvin Ajinca, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (DOB: 26 Jun 2004)

With a full season of EuroLeague experience under his belt, there is no limit to the jump we can expect from [Melvin Ajinca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/melvin-ajinca/010316/) in Year 2. Last season, Ajinca scored at least 14 points in three of his final eight EuroLeague games and shot 42.7% from downtown for the season. He averaged 7.3 points over 23 games in the French League, too. Ajinca should have an even bigger role this season and that could lead to something special.

 

### 6 - Sergio de Larrea, Valencia Basket (DOB: 4 Dec 2005)

[Sergio de Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/) has developed so rapidly over the past year that by the summer, he ranked second on the Spanish national team in minutes played at EuroBasket 2025 – ahead of a bounty of EuroLeague stars. He also led the team with 4.4 assists per game while scoring 5.4 points. Coach Pedro Martinez has shown trust in de Larrea before and he could be on the cusp of a breakout year.

 

### 7 - Izan Almansa, Real Madrid (DOB: 7 Jun 2005)

The Spanish big man returns to Madrid with a long list of honors as he looks to take another step forward. After already playing in the G League and in Australia, [Izan Almansa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/izan-almansa/010105/) has starred on Spain's junior national teams, winning MVP honors at both the U17 and U19 World Cups. He spent two seasons with Los Blancos' youth academy between 2019 and 2021 and now returns with a long-term deal aiming to become a pillar for the club.

Rafa Villar should get a chance to stand out this season with Baskonia

### 8 - Rafa Villar, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (DOB: 9 Aug 2004)

As a 20-year-old in the Spanish League, [Rafa Villar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rafa-villar/010035/) was a part-time starter for Forca Lleida and averaged 5.7 points and 2.9 assists in 19 minutes per game. Two years ago, Villar helped Spain to the gold medal at the U19 World Cup and he has since debuted for the Spanish national team. He should have a spot in the Baskonia backcourt rotation this season with a shot to stand out.

 

### 9 - Hamza Mestoglu, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (DOB: 22 Apr 2004)

[Hamza Mestoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/hamza-mestoglu/012724/)'s career trajectory suffered a hit when he tore his ACL the week after he made his EuroLeague debut in January 2024. He returned to action last season, mostly with Fenerbahce's B team, and also appeared in six Turkish League games with the main team, including twice in the Turkish finals. Mestoglu will look to establish himself as a first-team player in the coming campaign.

 

### 10 - Mitar Bosnjakovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (DOB: 24 Aug 2006)

The youngest player on this list, [Mitar Bosnjakovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mitar-bosnjakovic/012167/) made his EuroLeague debut last season and earned enough trust from Coach Zeljko Obradovic that he started in three of the four games he appeared in. Bosnjakovic had an even larger role in the ABA League, where he was worth 5.7 points in 10 games. All signs point to him taking a step forward this season.

Frankie Sachs previews the top 10 candidates to take home the EuroLeague Rising Star Trophy at the end of the season

Anadolu Efes Istanbul signed center Kai Jones, the club announced. Jones (2.11 meters, 24 years old) arrives from the NBA and will join the team for the 2025–26 season. Efes has made this move to fortify its frontline after Vincent Poirier suffered knee injury.

Bahamian big man Kai Jones bound for Istanbul

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has signed center Kai Jones, the club announced on Monday morning. Jones (2.11 meters, 24 years old) arrives from the NBA and will join the team for the 2025–26 season. Efes has made this move to fortify its frontline [after Vincent Poirier suffered a knee injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-timetable-for-poiriers-return-set-at-4-6-months/).

Jones played last season for the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, appearing in 40 games combined. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21.7 minutes over 12 games with Dallas. In the G League, he posted 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 15 games for the Ontario Clippers.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">✍️ Başarılı uzun Kai Jones ile 2025/2026 sezonu için sözleşme imzaladık!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Welcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Welcome</a> Kai<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/FYJ01bag9U">pic.twitter.com/FYJ01bag9U</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1967498693327921304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A native of the Bahamas, Jones played two seasons of college basketball at the University of Texas before being selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, who immediately traded him to the Charlotte Hornets. He spent two seasons with the Hornets – and their G League affiliate in Greensboro. Jones also played for the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League before signing with the Clippers. Efes becomes his first European club.

More Anadolu Efes news

Anadolu Efes adds high-flying center for the 2025-26 season 

Germany prevailed in a thriller over Turkiye 83-88 in the championship game at EuroBasket 2025 in Riga, Latvia, on Sunday night behind an inspired performance from Isaac Bonga

Isaac Bonga fuels Germany to EuroBasket glory

Germany prevailed in a thriller over Turkiye 83-88 in the championship game at EuroBasket 2025 in Riga, Latvia, on Sunday night behind an inspired performance from [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/). The Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade forward netted a clutch three-pointer with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter, then threw-down a game-tying slam with 2:19 remaining before rising for a key offensive rebound that led to a Dennis Schroeder jumper with 18.7 seconds to play.

Bonga led Germany with 20 points on 4-of-4 three-point shooting, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for a team-high PIR of 27. Franz Wagner contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Schroeder tallied 16 points and a EuroBasket championship game record 12 assists.

Schroeder, who was crowned EuroBasket MVP, scored Germany's final 6 points. His majestic layup with 1:15 remaining put Germany ahead for good and after his clutch jumper, he made it a two-possession game with free throws with 8.3 seconds remaining. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Germany are the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 champions, defeating Türkiye in one of the closest Finals ever!<a href="https://t.co/uuNstukogz">https://t.co/uuNstukogz</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1967317618244903357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Germany shot 14 for 26 (53.8%) from deep with FC Bayern Munich sharpshooter [Andrea Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/) knocking down 3 triples and AS Monaco big man [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) sinking a key three with 1:49 to go. The winners also outrebounded Turkiye 26-36.

Alperen Sengun paced Turkiye with 28 points and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) played all 40 minutes and contributed 23 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting.

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More EuroBasket 2025 coverage

The Partizan forward scored 20 points to take Germany past Turkiye

Vassilis Spanoulis would have hoped to be on the sideline for Sunday night's championship game at EuroBasket 2025, but the AS Monaco head coach was nevertheless able to lead Greece to a podium finish at the tournament for the first time since 2009.

Monaco's Vassilis Spanoulis ends EuroBasket 2025 on a high

[Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/spanoulis-vassilis/) would have hoped to be on the sideline for Sunday night's championship game at EuroBasket 2025, but the [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) head coach was nevertheless able to lead Greece to a podium finish at the tournament for the first time since 2009.

Greece, which also achieved a bronze finish with Spanoulis as a player that year, came in third place at EuroBasket 2025 following a 92-89 triumph over Finland on Sunday afternoon.

Vassilis Spanoulis celebrates with the Greece players after winning a bronze medal at EuroBasket 2025. (PHOTO: FIBA)

By finishing on the podium, Spanoulis became the youngest coach to win a medal at EuroBasket since Moncho Lopez in 2003.

Kostas Charalampidis, Spanoulis's assistant at Monaco, was part of Greece's coaching staff at EuroBasket 2025.

More AS Monaco News

The Greece play-caller became the youngest coach to win a medal at EuroBasket since Moncho Lopez in 2003 (PHOTO:FIBA)

Virtus Bologna point guard Brandon Taylor will miss the final part of the Bianconeri's training camp after suffering inflammation in his knee.

Brandon Taylor sidelined with minor knee issue

[Virtus Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-bologna/vir/) point guard Brandon Taylor will miss the final part of the *Bianconeri*'s training camp after suffering inflammation in his knee.

Taylor missed Saturday's 90-89 preseason win over FC Bayern Munich and, according to Virtus, will be reevaluated in 7-10 days.

The 31-year-old, who is heading into his debut EuroLeague season, could return in time for the Italian Super Cup semifinal against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on September 27.

More Virtus Bologna News

Valencia Basket has reinforced its backcourt with the signing of combo guard Ike Iroegbu on a one-month contract, addressing a string of injuries at the guard position

Valencia Basket adds Ike Iroegbu on short-term deal

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/) has reinforced its backcourt with the signing of combo guard Ike Iroegbu on a one-month contract, addressing [a string of injuries](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/valencia-loses-montero-badio-and-lopez-arostegui-to-injuries/) at the guard position.

Iroegbu (1.88 meters, 30 years old) remains in Spain after spending the past two seasons with Basquet Girona, where he averaged 13.8 points and 3.3 assists across 65 games. He ranked among the league’s top scorers in his debut campaign and finished the 2023–24 season as the fourth-leading scorer in the ACB with 15.3 points per game.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Benvingut, <a href="https://twitter.com/Be_LikeIKE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Be_LikeIKE</a>! 🧡<br><br>Cas 👉 Ike Iroegbu, refuerzo temporal para Valencia Basket<a href="https://t.co/ZKqAeSWwnh">https://t.co/ZKqAeSWwnh</a><br><br>Val 👉 Ike Iroegbu, reforç temporal per a Valencia Basket<a href="https://t.co/nbHhmnEzOa">https://t.co/nbHhmnEzOa</a><br><br>Eng 👉 Ike Iroegbu, Temporary Signing for Valencia Basket<a href="https://t.co/LE0clJfDgH">https://t.co/LE0clJfDgH</a> <a href="https://t.co/bZ6DgYadw8">pic.twitter.com/bZ6DgYadw8</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1967181564716130658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A product of Washington State University, Iroegbu began his professional career in the G League before embarking on a European journey that included stops with Science City Jena and Rasta Vechta in Germany, Lietkabelis Panevezys in Lithuania, Rouen and Elan Chalon in France, Hapoel Galil Elyon in Israel, and Treviso in Italy.

Iroegbu has played on the Nigerian national team at the African Championship and the World Cup qualifiers.

More Valencia Basket news

The veteran guard gives Valencia some much needed depth after a spate of backcourt injuries

FC Barcelona center Mahomed Dabone made history by becoming the youngest player ever to appear for the club's first team in a preseason game against Basquet Girona.


Mohamed Dabone makes FC Barcelona debut 

FC Barcelona center Mahomed Dabone made history by becoming the youngest player ever to appear for the club's first team in a preseason game against Basquet Girona. 

Dabone took the court at just 13 years, 10 months, and 22 days old, stepping in during the second quarter and quickly making an impact with a powerful two-handed dunk. He finished the game with 4 points and 3 rebounds in 10 minutes of play.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Dia d’estrena amb el primer equip 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/e7Dxrperfn">pic.twitter.com/e7Dxrperfn</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1966588610213278060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


This milestone puts Dabone in contention to become the youngest player to ever participate in a EuroLeague game. The current record is held by Fedor Zugic, who was 13 years, 5 months, and 5 days old when he played for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in a road loss against Zalgiris Kaunas on February 22, 2019.

Dabone is no stranger to high-level youth competition. He made his debut in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals in 2024 at the age of 12. Born in Burkina Faso, Dabone is widely regarded as a world-class prospect with the potential to break numerous records in the years to come.

More Barcelona News

The 13-year-old prospect appeared in his first game for the Blaugrana’s senior team

What was billed as a EuroBasket 2025 semifinal ‘derby’ ended up being anything but. Turkey blew past Greece with a dominant 94–68 victory, booking its place in the gold medal game, where it will face Germany, who defeated Finland 98–86 in Friday’s semifinals in Riga, Latvia.

Record-setting Ercan Osmani fuels Turkiye past Greece

What was billed as a EuroBasket 2025 semifinal ‘derby’ ended up being anything but. Turkey blew past Greece with a dominant 94–68 victory, booking its place in the gold medal game, where it will face Germany, who defeated Finland 98–86 in Friday’s semifinals in Riga, Latvia.

This marks Turkey’s first EuroBasket medal since 2001 - and notably, its first medal in a major international competition not played on home soil.

The breakout star for Turkey has been Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward Ercan Osmani, who delivered a stunning 28-point performance - the most ever scored by a Turkish player in the EuroBasket knockout stages. Osmani hit 6 of 8 three-point attempts, including a perfect 4-for-4 in the first half.

In a game that Turkey led from start to finish, Osmani set the tone early with 14 points in the first quarter, helping his team build a double-digit lead. By halftime, the margin had ballooned to 20, and Turkey never looked back.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ERCAN OSMANI IS A WALKING FIRE RIGHT NOW.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/6eMNvkWGMm">pic.twitter.com/6eMNvkWGMm</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1966566595146154380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I am very happy that I contributed very well for this team," a humble Osmani said. He also recorded 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block. His performance even surpassed his EuroLeague career high of 25 points, which he set last December in Efes’s win over Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

"Ercan is an unbelievable player,” said Shane Larkin in a postgame interview with the official EuroBasket website. Larkin, who added 14 points and 5 assists in the win, praised his longtime teammate.

“\[Osmani\]’s been on my team for a few years at Efes, and I have been saying for many years that he has a lot of quality. For him to be able to put on a performance like that on the world stage in front of all the media and everything I am extremely happy for him."

Cedi Osman, a Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward who was questionable for the game due to injury, played 34 minutes and scored 17 points.

Turkiye, guided by Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman, now has a chance to make history and capture its first gold medal in major competition. To do that, Ataman’s troops will need to beat Germany. Both teams will enter Sunday’s gold-medal contest with a perfect 8-0 record in the tournament.

Germany and Turkiye will play in the final of EuroBasket 2025 on Sunday (PHOTO: FIBA)

With Valencia Basket’s training camp preparations for its return to the EuroLeague in full swing, the team received some bad injury news on Jean Montero, Brancou Badio and Xavi Lopez-Arostegui.

Valencia loses Montero, Badio and Lopez-Arostegui to injuries

With Valencia Basket’s training camp preparations for its return to the EuroLeague in full swing, the team received some bad injury news.

It starts with guard [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jean-montero/010042/), All-EuroCup First Team selection and a EuroCup Rising Star winner last season, who underwent surgery at a local hospital on Thursday to repair a ligament injury in a finger on his right hand, the club announced.

The other two Valencia players suffered injuries in Wednesday’s friendly game, a 98-80 win over a fellow Spanish League side Casademont Zaragoza.

"Forward [Xabi Lopez-Arostegui](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/xabi-lopez-arostegui/005356/) sustained a laceration caused by a fracture in a finger on his left hand", the club announced in a statement. Meanwhile, in the same game, shooting guard [Brancou Badio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brancou-badio/007527/) "suffered a muscle injury in the back of his right thigh".

“In all three cases, the players will require several weeks of recovery, and their progress will determine when they are able to return to training”, the club announced.

With little over two weeks to go until the season tip off, Montero, Badio and Lopez-Arostegui are all in danger of missing time at the start of the EuroLeague regular season.

Each player is in danger of missing the start of the season