EuroBasket 2022 Preview: FAQ on schedule, teams and Cavs players

EuroBasket 2022 Preview: Cavs Players

As EuroBasket 2022 kicks off, there are two current members of the Cleveland Cavaliers competing. Lauri Markkanen will be suiting up for Finland, and Cedi Osman for Turkey. Ricky Rubio is an international phenom but he will miss out on competing for Spain as he recovers from his torn ACL.

Lauri Markkanen – Finland

Last season Lauri Markkanen averaged 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds as the fourth option on the Cavs. When he exchanges his jersey for a Finnish one, however, he is suddenly his country’s superstar. The only player from Finland in the league right now, Markkanen averaged 21.8 points per game across four appearances in FIBA World Cup qualifying, the third-most of any player.

Finland is ranked just 35th in the world, but that’s a lagging ranking as Markkanen just led his group on a tear through their qualifying competition, going 7-1 and being the first team to secure a spot in the World Cup. They placed 11th in EuroBasket last time around when Markkanen was just a teenager, and now look to make it even further this time around.

Finland is placed in Group D, which will compete in Prague, Czech Republic. Nikola Jokic and Serbia are the heavy favorites in the group, but Finland can jostle with Poland, the Czech Republic and Israel for second place in the group. Their first game is Friday, September 2nd at 7:50 a.m. ET against Deni Avdija and Israel.

Cedi Osman – Turkey

Markkanen goes from starter to star for Finland; Cedi Osman goes from a fringe rotation player to a star for his native Turkey. In the last week for FIBA World Cup qualifiers Osman led his team in scoring in two different contests, including 22 points against Jokic and Serbia in a close loss. He plays for Turkey alongside a number of other NBA players, including Furkan Korkmaz, Alperen Sengun and longtime NBA journeyman point guard Shane Larkin.

Turkey has a proud history of success at EuroBasket and come into this tournament ranked 16th in the world, which would mean 11th among teams playing in the tournament. They have the benefit of a soft group, with Spain a wounded version of its best self and Russia replaced by Montenegro after its horrific invasion of Ukraine. Turkey could win the group, and are almost a lock to advance to the knockout stages. Their first game is Thursday, September 1st at 10:05 a.m. ET against Montenegro.

There you have it! Hopefully you’ve been intrigued enough to tune in. We’ll keep you posted on how well Lauri and Cedi perform. Enjoy basketball in September!