EuroBasket 2025 is set to heat up late this summer as the continent’s top national teams collide in a championship that runs now through September 14. The 42nd edition splits the action across four hosts—Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland—with the final phase taking place in Riga, Latvia. In total, 24 teams are divided into four groups of six, and the group stage will yield four qualifiers from each group for a knockout format that culminates in a single-elimination finale.
Fans can expect a heavy NBA presence, led by Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo. They headline a field rich with talent, including Kristaps Porziņģis, Nikola Vučević, Lauri Markkanen, Bilal Coulibaly, Franz Wagner, Jonas Valančiūnas, Alperen Şengün and Deni Avdija. One notable absence for NBA observers is Victor Wembanyama, who won’t suit up for France this summer as he rests after a demanding season.
If you’re watching through an NBA lens, here are the key talking points to track:
– Dončić and Jokić are the clearest gold-medal contenders, with Serbia’s depth and star power giving them a strong shot at the title. Serbia’s roster includes Bogdan Bogdanović, Nikola Jović, Vasilije Micić, Aleksa Avramović, Filip Petrošev and other Olympians from last year.
– Germany, the 2023 world champions, arrive with depth and self-belief that often outpaces star-studded lineups, creating tough matchups for any would-be favorite.
– France, even without Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, remains dangerous on the wings. Isaïa Cordinier and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot provide versatility and two-way impact, and France can still push teams with its length and playmaking.
– Slovenia’s Dončić is the signature draw for the tournament, and despite a rough run in recent exhibition play, it would be unwise to write them off as a medal contender.
– On the other side of the Atlantic, the spotlight will also land on veterans like Valančiūnas, who is serving as a backup center for the Denver Nuggets and could prove a valuable asset for Lithuania if his legs and touch hold up at this level.
– Georgia’s Mamukelashvili, fresh off a two-year Raptors deal, is expected to shine with the Georgian program and provide a high-usage inside-out threat.
– Germany’s Bilal Coulibaly and France’s other playmakers will be on full display as they take on some of the world’s best talent in a high-stakes international setting.
– Great Britain’s participation is notable beyond results, as the program aims to build a sustainable competitive culture and develop players who can make an impact on the international stage.
What this means for fans and the broader basketball landscape
– A rare blend of NBA stars and national-team storylines makes EuroBasket 2025 a cheat sheet for the upcoming seasons, with players juggling club duties and national-team pride.
– The tournament provides a platform for rising players to prove themselves on big stages and can influence NBA teams’ views on international development and roster-building.
– For national teams, success here can redefine reputations—Serbia, Germany and France are arguably positioned to push for medals, while traditional powers like Greece (led by Giannis with his brothers in tow) will still demand respect.
Summary: EuroBasket 2025 promises high-level competition, loaded rosters and compelling narratives as players balance NBA schedules with national-team ambitions. The event will showcase Jokić, Dončić and Antetokounmpo in the spotlight, while also highlighting deep rosters and emerging talents across Europe. With the action spread across four host nations and a dramatic knockout phase in Riga, fans have plenty to watch, root for and debate as the summer leads into autumn.
Additional notes and takeaways
– The group-stage format and the single-elimination knockout phase mean early games set the tone for what promises to be a tense, high-stakes tournament.
– Rest and load management will be a recurring theme for NBA-bound stars competing for their national teams.
– The combination of star power and depth across several squads suggests several potential upsets and memorable performances as the event unfolds.
Positive outlook: This EuroBasket edition not only highlights established superstars but also spotlights the growth of European basketball talent, offering a bridge between international competition and NBA-ready players. It should be an entertaining lead-in to the NBA season for fans eager to see how these players perform on a global stage and how their performances might influence future international rosters and strategies.