With the NBA season not starting until late October, basketball fans right now can enjoy a lesser-known league that features some familiar faces.
The FIBA EuroBasket league, like the Olympics, has players representing their country. Its season is much shorter than an NBA season, with 15 regular-season games leading to the playoffs, which consist of four rounds.
EuroBasket is a much slower-paced game, which allows already skilled scorers to thrive. It gives an insight into the development of NBA players in the offseason.
Many of the players dominating this league play in the NBA.
Five-time all-star Luka Doncic of the Lakers has not only been leading his home country, Slovenia, but also the league in many aspects. Doncic leads the league in efficiency, points per game, and steals per game, while he ranks second in assists. Slovenia finished third in its group.
In terms of individual performance, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the next most dominant player in the league. The Milwaukee Bucks star plays for Greece in this league. He is second in points and efficiency. He has led Greece to finish first in its group.
Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets, a former NBA MVP, is lacking in personal accolades. He is ranked sixth overall, but with his NBA history, his performance has been average. However, with a 66 percent field goal percentage, it appears he is taking a step back to let his team thrive as it placed second in their group.
Alperen Sengun of the Rockets and Lauri Markkanen of the Jazz are two NBA players surprising fans with their performances. Neither of the players have solidified themselves as amazing players in the NBA, but they are looking promising.
Sengun leads Turkey in every accolade except for blocks and steals, helping his team climb to first in their group above Serbia. He is also second in efficiency and rebounds.
Markkanen, while being a rising star in the NBA, is already there for EuroBasket. He is the youngest player to record a triple-double in this league, with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists against Poland.
Fans can watch FIBA EuroBasket on Courtside 1981 with a subscription, or they catch the best highlights posted online by the NBA. The semifinals will be held on Saturday, featuring Germany against Finland as well as Greece against Turkey.
