See below the Hall of Fame Players who have participated in previous Future Stars Tournaments.
Jan Vesely
Nationality: Czech Republic
When Jan Vesely arrived to London to take part in 2008 Future Stars he was already recognised as a one of the most impressive talents in European Basketball. He led his Czech National team to an easy victory in the tournament, collecting the MVP Award in the process. His career exploded soon after when he become a very influential member of the European power-house BC Partizan Belgrade. He won the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Serbian National Championship, the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Serbian National Cup and also the 2009 and 2010 Adriatic League . In 2010 Vesely led his team to the Euroleague Final Four in Paris and also was presented the FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year Award.
D.O.B:24 April 1990
Height: 210 cm
Position: Forward
Current Club: Fenerbahce Istambul
In 2011 Veselý was drafted in the first round by the Washington Wizards with the sixth overall pick. On 9 April 2012, he recorded his first double-double, finishing the game with 11 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Charlotte Bobcats. Veselý continued his success over the Bobcats on 23 April 2012 when he posted a career-high 16 points on 8-8 shooting. He averaged 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in his first NBA season.
On 20 February 2014, Vesely was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade. Until the end of the season, he appeared in 21 games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.3 steals per game.
On 5 August 2014, Veselý signed a two-year deal with the Turkish club Fenerbahçe Istanbul.
Fenerbahçe advanced to the 2015 Euroleague Final Four, the first time in the team’s history that they played in a Euroleague Final Four. On 15 May 2015, however, they lost 96-87 in the Euroleague semifinal game to Real Madrid, Veselý contributed with 20 points and 6 rebounds in the semifinal game. Eventually, Fenerbahçe finished in 4th place in the Euroleague, after losing in the third-place game to CSKA Moscow 86-80. After that Fenerbahce became a permanent feature in the Final Four tournament. They finished second in 2016 after a heart stopping overtime defeat against CSKA Moscow 101-96. Vesely has made a step further the year later by winning Euroleague beating Olympiacos 80-64 in the historic final.
Fenerbahçe made it to the 2018 Euroleague Final Four, its fourth consecutive Final Four appearance. Eventually, they lost to Real Madrid with 80–85 in the final game.
On 18 February 2019, Veselý signed a three-year contract extension with Fenerbahçe and later that month, Veselý was named the Euroleague MVP for 2018–19 Euroleague season. Fenerbahce has finished 4th in Final Four tournament that season
Veselý has been a member of the senior men’s Czech Republic national basketball team, and has played at the EuroBasket 2013 and the EuroBasket 2015.
Tomas Satoransky
Nationality: Czech Republic
D.O.B: 30 Oct 1991
Height: 199 cm
Position: Guard
Current Club: Washington Wizards
Tomas Satoransky was a member of a very strong Czech team which dominated the 2008 Future Stars.
Originally from USK Prague (Czech Rep.), Tomas made his debut in the senior league during the 2008-09 season.
Subsequently Tomas moved to Spain for the 2009-10 season, where he signed with Cajasol Seville which he led to Eurocup runner up spot in 2011. He was selected in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft (32nd overall) by the Washington Wizards.
In July 2014, Satoranský signed a two-year deal with FC Barcelona Lassa.
In July 2016, he parted ways with Barcelona in order to join the NBA. On 21 July 2016, Satoranský signed with the Washington Wizards.
On 1st December 2017, he scored a career-high 17 points in a 109–91 win over the Detroit Pistons. On 3 February 2018, he set a new career high with 19 points in a 115–98 win over the Orlando Magic. He surpassed that mark a week later, scoring 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting in a 101–90 win over the Chicago Bulls. On 11 January 2019, he recorded his first career triple-double with 18 points, a career-high 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113–106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Satoranský also played with the Czech senior national team at EuroBasket 2013, 2015 and 2017.
Dario Saric
Nationality: Croatian
D.O.B: 08 April 1994
Height: 208 cm
Position: Forward
Current Club: Minnesota Timberwolves
Mercurial talent led the Croatian team to the victory at Future Stars 2010, helping himself to the MVP Award in the process. Saric confirmed his undeniable talent during the U16 European Championship where he led his team to the gold medal.
Dario Šarić was the biggest star of the U16 European Championship tournament and named Most Valuable Player in a unanimous vote, after leading the tournament in scoring (24.3 ppg), rebounding (11.5 rpg), and finishing second in assists (5.8 apg). Saric registered a triple-double in the final, becoming only the second player to do so (after Ricky Rubio in 2006). Saric was the youngest player selected for the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit, only turning 17 during the week of the event.
In 2012, he was selected to play for the World Team, for the second year in a row, at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon. In the all-star game, the international players of the World Team beat the US team, with Šarić scoring 13 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing 5 assists.
He signed with Bilbao Basket and was loaned to Split in 2012. However, due to a sanction by FIBA, forcing the Spanish team to pay a buyout of €550,000, he didn’t sign with Bilbao. After that, he trained with Split, but was not playing games with them.
In November 2012, he signed a four-year contract with the Croatian club Cibona. After 2 succesfull seasons with Croatian outfiton June 24, 2014, he signed a 2+1 contract with the Turkish team Anadolu Efes.
The Orlando Magic selected Šarić 12th overall in the 2014 draft, but his rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Elfrid Payton on draft night. After the draft, Šaric decided that he will stay with Efes for one more season.
On 15 July 2016, Šarić signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. In just his third NBA game on 1 November 2016, Šarić scored 21 points in a 103–101 loss to the Orlando Magic. On 17 February 2017, he participated in the Rising Stars Challenge during the All-Star Weekend. Following the season, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished second in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, behind Malcolm Brogdon.
Saric helped the 76ers’ to the second round of the Play Off where they lost to Celtics 3-2. In Game 5, Šarić’s had an impressive 27 points and 10 rebounds in a 114–112 loss. On 12 November 2018, Šarić was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington and a 2022 second-round pick, in exchange for Jimmy Butlerand Justin Patton.
Dario Saric is one of the main stars of Croatian national team.
Alessandro Gentile
Nationality: Italian
D.O.B: 12
November 1992
Height: 201 cm
Position: Small Forward
Current Club: Club Baloncesto Estudiante
Alessandro Gentile was a member of Italian national team participating in 2009 Future Stars and with support of another “Future Star” Nicolo Meli has led Squadra Azzura to the second place.
Later that year he signed with Treviso’s senior men’s team and in the 2009–10 season, he played in 24 games in Italy’s top-tier level LBA league, averaging 3.4 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. In 2011, he won the Italian League’s Best Player Under 22 award.
In December 2011, Gentile left Treviso Basket and signed a four-year deal with Olimpia Milano. In 2013–14, Gentile had a break-out season, averaging 11.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 21 games in the Euroleague. In June 2014, after Milano won their 26th Italian League championship, Gentile was named the Italian League Finals MVP.
On June 26, 2014, Gentile was selected with the 53rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His NBA draft rights were later traded to the Houston Rockets on draft night. On October 6, 2015, Gentile played against the NBA’s Boston Celtics, in the NBA Global Games tournament.
Gentile was sent on loan to the Greek club Panathinaikos in December 2016. However, Milano retained his rights through the 2017–18 season. He was released by Panathinaikos in March 2017, and he finished the 2016–17 season by playing on loan for Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Super League, and preparing for the upcoming EuroBasket 2017 tournament.
On December 19, 2016, Gentile then joined the Greek club Panathinaikos helping them to win Greek Cup in 2017. On April 3, 2017, Gentile signed with the Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem.
On July 18, 2017, Gentile signed with Italian club Virtus Bologna, for the 2017–18 season. Last season Alessandro Gentile have spent with Spanish club CB Estudiantes. Gentile won the silver medal with the Under-20’s at the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.
As a member of the senior national team he has played with Italy at EuroBasket 2013 and 2015.
Nicolo Meli
Nationality: Italian
D.O.B: 26 January 1991
Height: 205 cm
Position: Power Forward
Current Club: Fenerbahce Istanbul
Nicolo Meli was a member of Italian national which has claimed the second place in Future Stars 2009. Nicolo Meli started his professional career at Pallacanestro Reggiana in 2008.
In July 2010 Melli joined Armani Jeans Milano, which was in the elite domestic Serie A team and also competed in the Euroleague.
Season 2013–14 proved to be Melli’s breakthrough season when he cemented his place in Milan’s starting five and he led Milan to the Euroleague Quarterfinals.
Nicolo Melli moved abroad in July 2015, signing with German side Brose Bamberg for two years. After 2 successful seasons in Bundesliga Melli signed a three-year contract with Fenerbahce Istanbul in July 2017 .In the 2017-18 Euroleague season, Fenerbahçe made it to the 2018 Euroleague Final Four, In the final they lost to Real Madrid, 80–85 in the finals game and Meli contributed with a massive 28 points. In season 2018-19 Nicolo Meli and Fenerbahce has finished fourth in Euroleague Final Four.
Nicolo Melli has represented Italy in Eurobasket 2013 and 2015
Rudy Gobert
Nationality: French
D.O.B: 26 June 1992
Height: 216 cm
Position: Centre
Current Club: Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert has participated in two Future Stars tournaments both in 2010. In the Future Stars 2010 London tournament the French team finished in the 3rd position and went one place higher finishing runner up in the Future Stars 2010 tournament in Krakow, Poland.
Rudy Gobert started at Cholet Basket where he played between 2009-2013. On June 27, 2013, Gobert was selected with the 27th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets. He was later traded on draft night to the Utah Jazz. On July 6, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Jazz and joined them for the 2013 NBA Summer League.
After period of adjustment in 2015 Gobert has finished third in the NBA Most Improved Player Award voting. In the same year the Jazz exercised their fourth-year team option on Gobert’s rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.
On October 31, 2016, Gobert signed a four-year, $102 million contract extension with the Jazz, which at the time made him the best paid French athlete ever.
At the season’s end, Gobert was named in the All-NBA Second Team for the first time in his career and also earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honours. Rudy Gobert went even better next season when he was named not only NBA All-Defensive First Team, but also the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Rudy Gobert can boast outstanding international achievements representing France. Gobert won the bronze medal at the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship and the silver medal at the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. In the 2012 edition, Gobert was named to the All-Tournament
Rudy Gobert was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and in 2015, he helped France to bronze at the European Championships. Rudy Gobert also represented France at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Pierre Oriola
Nationality: Spanish
D.O.B: 25
September 1992
Height: 208 cm
Position: Power Forward
Current Club: Barcelona
Pierre Oriola was a member of Spanish National team which won the 2010 edition of Future Stars held in Krakow, Poland.
Pierra Oriola began his pro career with the Spanish First Division senior team of Manresa in 2009. He then moved on loan to Liga EBA, with CE Saint Nicolau, during the 2010–11 season. Oriola then joined the Spanish 2nd Division club, Força Lleida, for the 2012–13 season before travelling to Peñas Huesca, for the 2013–14 season. After a successful spell with Penas, Oriola entered the ACB where he signed with CB Sevilla. With Sevilla, he made his debut in the EuroCup, during the 2014–15 season.
In the summer of 2015 he has moved to Valencia Basket where he claimed his biggest achievement becoming Spanish champion in season 2016-17.
On July 14, 2017, FC Barcelona Lassa paid a €1,000,000 contract buyout amount to Valencia Basket, in order to secure Oriola’s player rights. Oriola then signed a four-year deal with FC Barcelona Lassa to compete in the ACB and Euroleague.
Pierre Oriola won bronze medal at the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. He has also been a member of the senior Spanish national basketball team. With Spain’s senior team he played at EuroBasket 2017 where he also won bronze medal.
Joan Sastre
Nationality: Spain
D.O.B: 10 Decembre 1991
Height: 201 cm
Position: Guard
Current Club: Valencia Basket
Joan Sastre was a member of the Spanish National Team which claimed the Future Stars title in 2009 Sastre spent all of his youth basketball playing career on the Balearic Islands. In 2008, at the age of 17, Sastre debuted in the Spanish 2nd-tier level LEB Oro, with Bàsquet Inca, where he played two games, before signing his first professional contract with Bàsquet Mallorca.
One year later after signing with Cajasol Sevilla he debuted in the ACB. However he was quickly loaned to Cajasol’s affiliated team, CB Qalat of the Spanish 3rd-tier level LEB Plata.
After 5 years at Sevilla he has moved to CAI Zaragoza in 2014.
Two years later, he moved to Valencia Basket where he enjoyed success winning the Spanish championship in 2017 and Euro Cup in 2019
Joan Sastre had an illustrious International career at junior level and was a member of the junior national teams of Spain winning bronze medal at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship and a gold medal at the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. With Spain’s senior National team he played at the EuroBasket 2017 winning bronze medal.
Jakub Kudlacek
Nationality: Czech Republic
D.O.B: 03 March 1990
Height: 193 cm
Position: Guard
Current Club: Charlotte Hornets-Director of
International Scouting
Jakub Kudlacek came to Future Stars in 2008 and along with his superstar teammates Jan Vesely and Tomas Satoransky completely dominated the tournament claiming the top spot.
Jakub Kudlacek started playing basketball in his city’s team, Slavoj BK Litoměřice and then promptly has moved to Pallacanestro Reggiana in 2007.
On 13 September 2012 he was hired for a year by Pallacanestro Cantù where he won the Italian Cup. In the following season Kudlacek has represented CEZ Nymburg and Club Baloncesto Clavijo. In 2015 Jakub Kudlacek officially finished his playing career and started working for NBA clubs. Initially he served as an international scout for the Los Angeles Clippers and then took over at Charlotte Hornets as Director of International Scouting
Honourable Mentions
Marcus Ericson
Nationality: Swedish
D.O.B: 05 December 1993
Height: 201 cm
Position: Guard
Current Club: Herbalife Gran Canaria
Luka Rupnik
Nationality: Slovenian
D.O.B: 20 May 1993
Height: 186 cm
Position: Guard
Current Club: Montakit Fuenlabrada
Michal Sokolowski
Nationality: Polish
D.O.B: 11 December 1992
Height: 196 cm
Position: Guard
Current Club: Stelmet Zielona Gora