Isaac Bonga isn’t letting NBA speak distract him after serving to Germany win EuroBasket 2025.
The 24-year-old ahead was named Participant of the Sport within the last in opposition to Türkiye, scoring 20 factors with 5 rebounds to safe Germany’s 88-83 victory in Riga. It was the nation’s first EuroBasket title since 1993, including to their 2023 FIBA World Cup gold.
Bonga’s efficiency reignited chatter about an NBA return. Franz Wagner reportedly joked, “You need to go to the NBA,” whereas his Germany teammate Maodo Lo advised Meridian Sport that Bonga “deserves to be within the NBA.”
The Partizan Belgrade participant laughed off the excitement, saying: “That’s one thing so you will have one thing to speak about. Now I simply need to get pleasure from myself with my brothers right here, to speak to my household, after which we’ll see.”
Bonga final performed within the NBA with the Toronto Raptors in 2022. His four-year stint additionally included stops with the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards, the place he began 49 video games within the 2019-20 season. He holds profession NBA averages of three.1 factors and a couple of.2 rebounds throughout 143 appearances.
Since returning to Europe, Bonga has developed right into a dependable two-way presence. He averaged 9.9 factors, 4.3 rebounds, and a couple of.1 assists per sport throughout Germany’s EuroBasket title run, capturing 53.3 p.c from the sector and 45.2 p.c from three.
In Belgrade, he has been a key piece for Partizan underneath coach Zeljko Obradovic. His versatility on the wing and improved perimeter capturing have drawn the eye of scouts throughout each EuroLeague and NBA circles.
Lo emphasised the shrinking hole between the 2 leagues: “At this degree we’re enjoying, the distinction between the EuroLeague and the NBA is minimal. In case you can shoot threes, have athleticism and a superb physique—you’ll be able to play within the NBA, for positive, and Bonga has all that.”
