August and September are typically the most boring months in the NBA, so basketball fans were in for a treat when there was the FIBA EuroBasket.
The 2022 edition of Europe’s showpiece basketball competition will be remembered fondly since it was filled with NBA stars – from old and young – as well as some memorable upsets at every stage.
2022-23 MVP candidates Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic all got to strut their stuff as expected, but there were others who also performed well for their nations in this tournament.
Continue to read on below as SBOTOP lists down those under-the-radar ballers who stood out.
Willy Hernangomez
Willy Hernangomez was arguably the most consistent player for the best team in Europe, so he gets the 2022 EuroBasket MVP award. He recorded norms of 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in this tournament and he’ll bring this valuable experience back to New Orleans come training camp.
The Pelicans center managed to put up those stats in just 21.7 minutes per game and he shot at an efficient rate of 63-per cent from the field. Because of his gravity in the interior, he would often command double teams which helped generate better looks for his teammates.
His performances more than made up for the absence of the Gasol brothers as he basically led La Roja to their fourth EuroBasket triumph in the last six iterations.
Juancho Hernangomez
Willy’s brother Juancho also played a key role to Spain’s latest EuroBasket triumph. The younger Hernangomez sibling had his ups and downs in this tournament as he posted okay norms of 12.8 points and five rebounds per game, but he stepped up when it mattered most.
Juancho channeled his inner Bo Cruz during the final against France. The sweet-shooting swingman converted seven out of his nine attempts from three to finish with 27 points, earning for himself the finals MVP and the gold medal.
This summer, Juancho Hernangomez signed a one-year deal with the Raptors. Hopefully for him, his solid stint in EuroBasket can help him find a more consistent role in Toronto.
Lauri Markkanen
Finland got to as far as the Top 8 for the first time since 1967 and Lauri Markkanen was the huge reason why. The new Jazz forward led his country to a historic run in this competition, averaging 27.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
In three of Finland’s seven games, Markkanen breached the 30-point mark and his best performance came against Croatia during the Round of 16. The stretch forward dropped 43 points versus the Kockasti, which is the second-highest scoring output in a EuroBasket game for the last 20 years.
Utah are hopeful that they can get this version of Markkanen next season. He will surely get his chance to prove his worth by providing NBA 2022 highlights for the rebuilding Jazz.
Franz Wagner
Franz Wagner certainly left a huge impression in his first major FIBA competition. At just the tender age of 21, the Magic forward emerged as one of Germany’s vital cogs with averages of 16.1 points and four rebounds a game.
His best game in this tournament was against Lithuania where he had 32 points and eight rebounds. Known initially as a 3-and-D guy, Wagner displayed his improved playmaking and off-ball skills which would boost the Magic’s NBA 2022 odds for next season.
NBA pundits are proclaiming that Franz Wagner has the potential to be the league’s next big star, and it’s easy to see why after looking at his performances here at EuroBasket.
Dennis Schroder
Dennis Schroder was a free agent earlier this summer and he needed EuroBasket to show why NBA teams should go out and get him.
The 29-year-old point guard was the undisputed leader for Germany, tallying norms of 22.1 points and 7.1 assists per game to lead them to a bronze finish – the country’s first medal in the FIBA-sanctioned tournament since 2005.
Because of his impressive EuroBasket campaign, Schroder finally secured a one-year $2.6-M deal with the Lakers. This will be his second stint with the team after averaging 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 61 games during the 2020-21 season.
2020-21 was also the last time the Lakers made the playoffs when Schroder was their starting point guard. The German will vie for PG minutes alongside Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley this upcoming season.
Schroder averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game when he played for the Celtics and Rockets last term.
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