The 2025 EuroBasket match is within the books, with Germany cementing itself because the continent’s premier staff this half-decade with an undefeated run to the title. Led by Orlando Magic ahead Franz Wagner and Sacramento Kings level guard Dennis Schröder, Germany gained an exhilarating 88-83 last over Alperen Şengün’s Turkey so as to add a EuroBasket crown to its 2023 FIBA World Cup championship.
Outdoors of the Germans’ consistency, this match was outlined by its superstars. Giannis Antetokounmpo was dominant in main Greece to a third-place end, its finest since 2009. Luka Dončić carried an overmatched Slovenia staff to the quarterfinals and almost defeated Germany earlier than working out of gasoline late. Şengün was a revelation for Turkey, which had largely been absent from the worldwide scene since ending as runners-up at house within the 2010 FIBA World Cup. Lauri Markkanen led Finland to its finest end ever, reminding the basketball world why the Utah Jazz have set such a excessive value for him on the NBA commerce market. And whereas Serbia’s run resulted in bitter disappointment, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić was his standard spectacular all-around self.
It was additionally a match stuffed with surprises. Spain grew to become the primary defending champion to fall within the group stage since 1995. Serbia, the heavy pre-tournament favourite and a big risk even after dropping talisman Bogdan Bogdanović to harm, suffered a surprising loss to Finland within the Spherical of 16. France, the defending Olympic silver medalist, misplaced to Georgia in the identical spherical.
What else did we study from this match, significantly as we put together for the 2025-26 NBA season? We requested a number of of our writers to supply their takeaways.
A German legend in his personal proper
As Dennis Schröder mentioned in an interview with German journal Stern earlier than this EuroBasket, he won’t ever be as beloved in his house nation as Dirk Nowitzki.
Parsing out the the reason why is sophisticated. Race, as Schröder cited within the interview, is undoubtedly an element. So, too, is Schröder’s vagabond skilled profession, which is about to characteristic its tenth completely different cease in his 13 NBA seasons. Nowitzki, in contrast, is a first-ballot Corridor of Famer and top-75 NBA participant of all time. It’s additionally true that Schröder, like your complete German setup, has benefited from Nowitzki placing the nation on the map in worldwide hoops.
However in case it wasn’t already clear, Schröder has now completed much more internationally for Germany than Nowitzki ever did. Underneath Nowitzki, the most effective Germany may handle was a silver at EuroBasket 2005 and a bronze within the 2002 FIBA World Championships that was aided by Workforce USA limping to sixth place on the opposite aspect of the bracket. Schröder’s Germany has now gained the 2 largest worldwide occasions outdoors of the Olympics, with Schröder incomes MVPs in each tournaments.
And with the second of these accomplishments hanging within the steadiness towards Turkey, after a woeful first half that noticed him decide up extra fouls than factors, Schröder delivered. His signature leaning lefty layup excessive off the glass put Germany up for good, and his pull-up jumper from the free-throw line sealed it.
DENNIS THE MENACE WELCOME TO THE PARTY.#EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/BgySS6iCI1
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 14, 2025
It’s onerous to see Schröder ever being as revered as Nowitzki. The huge chasm between their NBA careers ensures that, together with different elements that, sure, embody race. But when nothing else, Schröder has earned a stage of worldwide fame {that a} participant of his NBA stature may by no means obtain. A lot as Patty Mills has develop into synonymous with the rise of Australia’s basketball program, Schröder has develop into the face of a European powerhouse. — Mike Prada, NBA senior editor
Europameister!!!!
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) September 14, 2025
‘Child Jokić’ makes his personal identify
Kristaps Porziņģis likened Alperen Şengün to a “Child (Nikola) Jokić” for his dominant EuroBasket play.
The 23-year-old huge man hasn’t reached the heights of Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP and champion and among the best gamers on the earth.
That’s superb as a result of Şengün has carried out lots within the final 12 months to make his mark.
Şengün was an enormous purpose the Houston Rockets rose to the second-best file within the Western Convention final season, incomes his first NBA All-Star look. Now, he has elevated Turkey right into a budding drive in worldwide basketball together with his play in EuroBasket. Turkey misplaced to Germany within the championship sport after Şengün missed a late 3 to tie, however not earlier than he established himself as a serious participant on the worldwide basketball scene.
Şengün grew to become the primary participant within the final 30 years to have 150 factors, 50 rebounds and 50 assists in EuroBasket. He tied Dončić with 5 video games of 10 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He had 28 factors, three rebounds and three assists within the loss to Germany and ended up with averages of 21.6 factors, 10.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per sport within the match.
Alperen Sengun grew to become the youngest participant ever to file a triple-double in EuroBasket historical past 🤯
🇹🇷 19 PTS 🇹🇷 12 REB 🇹🇷 10 AST@TBF advances to the @EuroBasket semis for the first time since ’01!
Watch all of the EuroBasket motion reside on Courtside 1891: https://t.co/fPC0xWqtRn pic.twitter.com/Wcd1QNRkyB
— NBA (@NBA) September 9, 2025
Turkey figures to be an element internationally so long as Şengün’s trajectory continues upward. His play additionally provides the Rockets one more reason for optimism. Including Kevin Durant ought to permit Şengün extra alternatives to attain, as defenses need to key on Durant. Şengün stays a superb passer, too, so he’ll have loads of alternatives to arrange his teammates. — Jason Jones, employees author
Giannis’ biggest accomplishment?
All through his time within the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it a precedence to signify his house nation in worldwide competitions. Final summer season, he was the flagbearer for Greece on the Paris 2024 Summer time Olympics. Now, he has led Greece to a bronze medal at EuroBasket 2025.
Within the third-place sport on Sunday, Antetokounmpo put up 30 factors, 17 rebounds and 6 assists in a 92-89 win over Finland, sealing the sport with two free throws with 4 seconds remaining.
“I do know I’ve gained an NBA championship, however there is no such thing as a feeling like representing your nationwide staff and representing 12 million folks that breathe and reside this nationwide staff,” Antetokounmpo informed reporters following Sunday’s sport. “That is most likely the best accomplishment I’ve ever completed to date in my life.”
“That is most likely the best accomplishment in my life.” 🇬🇷 #EuroBasket | #MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/vaktRBOVw5
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 14, 2025
In seven video games for Greece, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.3 factors, 10.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per sport. Antetokounmpo’s dominant efficiency helped Greece win its first EuroBasket medal since 2009, when it additionally took bronze. —Eric Nehm, Bucks senior author
Skinny Luka proves a degree
The journal cowl and the morning present appearances confirmed off Luka Dončić’s new physique earlier this summer season. However it wasn’t till EuroBasket that folks received to totally see what it regarded like when Dončić slimmed down from a Humvee right into a smooth SUV crossover.
In main a Slovenia staff that was quick on expertise to a combination of accidents and membership commitments round Europe, Dončić confirmed he may transfer extra rapidly round and thru coverages supposed to cease him whereas nonetheless possessing the energy and unimaginable pace shifting which have all the time made him so dominant.
He led the match in scoring, averaging 34.7 factors in 33.3 minutes. His paint scoring and free-throw taking pictures had been noticeably improved, permitting him to be the hardest cowl within the match even when his 3-point shot wasn’t fairly to his requirements. Dončić was additionally way more lively on the defensive finish in comparison with after we final noticed him, tying for the match lead with 2.7 steals per sport.
A triple-double towards Belgium within the group stage was simply the fifth in EuroBasket historical past at the moment, and he closed out play by scoring 42 and 39 factors towards Italy and Germany. Slovenia got here up simply quick towards the Germans within the quarterfinals however went additional than most anticipated given the roster round Dončić.
All of it factors to a return to kind for Dončić, who regarded nearly as good as he has since he was traded to the Lakers. — Dan Woike, Lakers senior author
World is NOT prepared 😱 Luka Doncic completely DOMINATED all competitors in #EuroBasket 🔥
37.4 PTS | 8.6 REB | 7.1 AST | 2.7 AST | 3.6 3PPG 🤯 pic.twitter.com/EKooBWQ8kG
— FIBA Basketball (@FIBA) September 11, 2025
Lauri Markkanen reintroduces himself
Whereas it was unable to return out on high towards Greece within the third-place sport, Finland’s run to the semifinals served as a powerful reminder of simply how good Lauri Markannen has develop into. In 9 video games, Markannen averaged 23.1 factors and eight.1 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per sport to guide Finland deeper into the match than it has ever been. In a bunch stage sport towards Nice Britain, Markkanen went 7-of-13 from 3 and scored 43 factors, the very best single-game scoring output of any participant within the match.
📺 Markkanen produced his second profession 40-point sport at EuroBasket as Finland dismissed Nice Britain! 😤#EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/3INmJJAh56
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 29, 2025
Markannen, 28, was named an NBA All-Star in 2023, his first season with the Utah Jazz. Since then, the Finnish ahead has missed 27 and 35 video games, respectively, as Utah has been a lottery staff. Markannen has been a preferred identify in commerce rumors during the last two seasons, however Jazz president Danny Ainge has held to a excessive value for Markannen. This match was a powerful showcase for Markannen, as he was capable of show that he can lead a staff to wins whereas scoring at a excessive stage. — Nehm
A optimistic match for Magic followers
The ultimate buzzer sounded, and the grins on the faces of Franz Wagner and Tristan da Silva mentioned all of it.
After taking part in key roles for the match champions, Wagner and da Silva could have loads of momentum when the Orlando Magic open their coaching camp on Sept. 30.
Wagner completed EuroBasket as Germany’s main scorer for the match, averaging 20.8 factors per sport, and was named to the all-tournament staff. His confidence needs to be sky-high now after he performed such an integral position en path to the championship.
Da Silva carried out admirably, too, capping his robust match with 13 factors within the championship sport. About to enter his second NBA season, he may develop into a key position participant for Orlando.
For Wagner and da Silva, the match was nearly a complete optimistic, and that ought to go away the Magic with added optimism for the season forward. With the offseason additions of Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones, Orlando may end the common season close to the highest of the Japanese Convention.
The one adverse — and it appears like nitpicking — is Wagner’s 3-point taking pictures stays a priority. After he made 30 % of his 3s final common season for Orlando, he made simply 11 of his 38 makes an attempt from past the arc in EuroBasket (29 %). The persistent hitch in his long-range taking pictures movement nonetheless seems to be a difficulty. — Josh Robbins, senior NBA author
Not a lot for one more Southeast division staff
The Washington Wizards hoped EuroBasket would reveal that children Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly had made strides throughout the offseason. That didn’t occur.
Worse, each gamers suffered accidents whereas taking part in for France. Sarr appeared in solely two video games earlier than a left calf harm pressured him to take a seat out the remainder of the match. Coulibaly tore a ligament in his proper thumb in France’s Spherical of 16 defeat to Georgia and underwent surgical procedure on Friday. Sarr’s harm was not thought-about severe sufficient to forestall him from being prepared for the beginning of the NBA common season. Coulibaly is predicted to want roughly six weeks to return to full on-court basketball work, and that restoration timeline may stop him from being able to play within the season opener on Oct. 22.
The 2025-26 season is a crucial one for Sarr, 20, and Coulibaly, 21. Even essentially the most optimistic of observers need to acknowledge that, at a minimal, the accidents are nuisances that the gamers themselves and the Wizards would have most well-liked to not encounter.
There’s a silver lining of kinds in Coulibaly’s case. Coulibaly had felt discomfort in his proper thumb for a number of video games earlier than he aggravated the harm on Sept. 7 throughout France’s elimination loss. Maybe that thumb harm explains why Coulibaly made solely 21 % of his 3-point makes an attempt throughout EuroBasket. — Robbins
That is Germany’s time. How for much longer can it final?
Germany can now name itself the champion of Europe. In defeating Turkey to finish a 9-0 run, Germany has develop into simply the fourth nation to concurrently maintain the FIBA EuroBasket and World Cup, which it gained in 2023. Its rise lately has been evident in robust match finishes, which embody fourth place on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Germany doesn’t have a star to the extent of Victor Wembanyama (France), Antetokounmpo (Greece), Dončić (Slovenia), Jokić (Serbia) and even Şengün (Turkey). Schröder, who signed with the Kings this season, was certainly one of three NBA skills on Germany’s roster, together with Wagner and da Silva.
However Germany has proven itself to be value greater than the sum of its components. The Germans mix distinctive transition offense, simple profitable DNA and a trusty ground common in Schröder.
GERMANY’S TRIO SECURES EUROBASKET TITLE!
🇩🇪 Franz Wagner: 18 pts/8 reb/2 blk 🇩🇪 Dennis Schröder: 16 pts/12 ast 🇩🇪 Tristan da Silva: 13 pts/4 reb pic.twitter.com/c1O18IzWz9
— NBA (@NBA) September 14, 2025
It helped that Germany’s roster was nearer to entire than different competing nations. 4 of the starters for France within the Olympic gold medal sport towards the US weren’t on the EuroBasket roster, together with Wembanyama, whereas pre-tournament favorites Serbia misplaced Bogdanović to a hamstring harm within the group stage. Germany was with out Orlando Magic ahead Moe Wagner, who tore his ACL in December 2024, and Bayern Munich middle Johannes Voigtmann, however had extra key gamers obtainable.
How a lot of a risk can Germany be sooner or later? Schröder (31), huge man Daniel Theis (33) and sharpshooter Andreas Obst (29) might be towards the tail ends of their careers by the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Then again, a youthful core of Franz Wagner (24), da Silva (24), and Isaac Bonga (25) is rising.
France continues to be creating essentially the most NBA expertise out of Europe, with 5 gamers taken within the 2025 NBA draft. However as its disappointing Spherical of 16 defeat confirmed, Les Blues are nonetheless uncooked and creating.
Whereas France with Wembanyama, 21, is an effective wager for the longer term, Germany was right here to win now. — Eduardo Tansley, Explainer journalist.
Miikka Muurinen is an thrilling draft prospect … with an extended solution to go
The Finnish staff was some of the enjoyable teams to look at at EuroBasket this 12 months. Whereas Markkanen was the largest purpose for that, Miikka Murrinen undeniably offered some pleasure. The teenage five-star recruit threw down some large dunks and had huge moments as one of many youngest gamers on the occasion.
Going by the nickname “Slim Jesus,” Muurinen, who attends Compass Prep in Arizona, burst onto the scene in 2024 whereas taking part in for Dawn Christian Academy in Kansas and Bradley Beal Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit. He had an enormous Peach Jam last final 12 months, scoring 21 factors to assist carry his staff to the title in essentially the most prestigious grassroots occasion.
At EuroBasket, Muurinen was uncovered to a good wider viewers for the primary time, showcasing his distinctive mix of highly effective, explosive athleticism and taking pictures capacity. He stored it easy for Finland, principally simply ending performs, getting aggressive in transition with high-flying dunks and including occasional 3-pointer. He averaged 6.6 factors and 1.9 rebounds in 11 minutes per sport, incomes the match’s Rising Star honor.
Subsequent Large Factor: Why Miikka Muurinen is Europe’s subsequent high NBA prospect?
All the pieces it’s essential to find out about Slim Jesus ⤵️🇫🇮
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 8, 2025
Unsurprisingly, his efficiency on the massive stage led to questions on his draft standing. Muurinen turns 19 in March, so he would match the age requirement for the 2026 NBA Draft if he wished to depart highschool early. Nonetheless, he’s chosen to take the longer route and as an alternative end highschool at Compass Prep earlier than attending faculty within the 2026-27 season.
It’s the mature and proper resolution. Whereas Muurinen is a pointy play finisher who can fly excessive, he nonetheless has an extended solution to go to iron out his general ability set. We haven’t seen a lot of him dealing with the ball but, even at the highschool stage, and his jumper has been inconsistent. In 12 video games at Compass Prep final 12 months that had been tracked by Synergy, Muurinen made simply 26 % of his 3s. He additionally hasn’t attacked the glass as successfully as you’d anticipate contemplating his athleticism, and his general decision-making is a piece in progress. He had simply six assists versus 25 turnovers in these 12 tracked video games final 12 months, and he not often appears to course of any superior passing learn.
There’ll all the time be intrigue with somebody this athletic and large who’s this younger. He’s going to be a high-end, high-major recruit, with colleges like Arkansas, NC State, North Carolina and Duke already chasing him. However he’s nonetheless extra of a spotlight participant versus a persistently productive, profitable one.
The following step for Muurinen is to show these flashes into recurrently optimistic stretches. The 2027 NBA Draft is just not seen as a very robust one, however it will nonetheless be an actual disservice to his general sport at this stage to pronounce him as a locked-in lottery decide in that class. He has the upside to succeed in that stage, however he has an extended solution to go. — Sam Vecenie, senior NBA Draft analyst
(High picture: Massimo Ceretti / FIBA by way of Getty Photographs)
