MBB | Altuntas and Juzenas to Represent their Home Nations in the U20 FIBA EuroBasket Tournament
7/9/2026 12:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — For the third consecutive year, Saint Mary's will have current student-athletes representing their home nations at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket tournament, as sophomore Mantas Juzenas (Lithuania) and Salih Altuntas (Turkiye) will wear their home nations' colors in Slovenia from July 11 through 19.
Both Altuntas and Juzenas represented their countries in U20 EuroBasket a year ago, with Altuntas helping Turkiye to a third place finish in the Division B event, averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds per game, while shooting 73% from the field, and Juzenas averaging 12 points and 4 rebounds per contest, helping Lithuania to a second place finish in the top division.
Both second year collegiate players, Juzenas and Altuntas should both be key pieces in year one of the Mickey McConnell era. Now in his second year with the Gaels, Juzenas looks to build on a freshman campaign that saw him shoot 48% from beyond the arc. Altuntas proved to be an elite finisher at the rim, shooting 66% from the field with the Hurricanes of Miami, and will look to continue that production in his first year in Moraga. This action this Summer should provide both an incredible opportunity to represent their home nations, while also giving them valuable experience against some other top talent in the European basketball ranks.
Altuntas will see action first in the tournament, as Turkiye will be in Group A, opening up against France, with Italy and Germany also in its group. Juzenas and Lithuania will open up against Latvia as a member of Group B, which also features Serbia and Poland. After three days of group play spanning from July 11 to 13, knockout stages will start on July 15, with a champion crowned by July 19. All contests can be streamed here.
After Juzenas and Altuntas return from Slovenia, you won't want to miss them in action inside UCU Pavilion! Upper reserved and general admission season tickets for the 2026-27 men's basketball season are on sale now and can be officially requested HERE.
#GaelsRise
Both Altuntas and Juzenas represented their countries in U20 EuroBasket a year ago, with Altuntas helping Turkiye to a third place finish in the Division B event, averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds per game, while shooting 73% from the field, and Juzenas averaging 12 points and 4 rebounds per contest, helping Lithuania to a second place finish in the top division.
Both second year collegiate players, Juzenas and Altuntas should both be key pieces in year one of the Mickey McConnell era. Now in his second year with the Gaels, Juzenas looks to build on a freshman campaign that saw him shoot 48% from beyond the arc. Altuntas proved to be an elite finisher at the rim, shooting 66% from the field with the Hurricanes of Miami, and will look to continue that production in his first year in Moraga. This action this Summer should provide both an incredible opportunity to represent their home nations, while also giving them valuable experience against some other top talent in the European basketball ranks.
Altuntas will see action first in the tournament, as Turkiye will be in Group A, opening up against France, with Italy and Germany also in its group. Juzenas and Lithuania will open up against Latvia as a member of Group B, which also features Serbia and Poland. After three days of group play spanning from July 11 to 13, knockout stages will start on July 15, with a champion crowned by July 19. All contests can be streamed here.
After Juzenas and Altuntas return from Slovenia, you won't want to miss them in action inside UCU Pavilion! Upper reserved and general admission season tickets for the 2026-27 men's basketball season are on sale now and can be officially requested HERE.
#GaelsRise
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