Top 10 Rising Stars in Latvia Basketball League You Should Watch This Season

As I settle into my courtside seat with a steaming cup of coffee, I can't help but feel that special buzz in the air that only comes with a new Latvian Basketball League season. Having followed this league for over eight years now, I've developed a sixth sense for spotting emerging talent before they become household names. This year feels different though – there's a palpable energy suggesting we're about to witness something extraordinary. The quote from an international player I recently interviewed keeps echoing in my mind: "To finally experience it, at least I won't be surprised even though I'm not playing. Hopefully, I can bring those learnings next year, moving forward." That sentiment perfectly captures what makes watching these rising stars so compelling – they're absorbing lessons that will shape their careers and potentially transform this league.

Let me start with Artūrs Strautiņš, a 19-year-old shooting guard who's been turning heads with VEF Rīga. I watched him drop 28 points against Pärnu in a preseason game last month, and what struck me wasn't just his scoring – it was his basketball IQ. The kid reads defenses like they're children's books, finding gaps you wouldn't notice unless you've played the game yourself. At 6'6" with a wingspan that seems to stretch forever, he's got the physical tools to dominate, but it's his work ethic that truly impresses me. His coach mentioned he's typically the first in the gym and last to leave, putting up around 500 shots daily. That dedication reminds me of that quote about bringing learnings forward – Strautiņš embodies that growth mindset.

Then there's Roberts Blumbergs, who at 22 is already showing signs of becoming the complete package. I've followed his development since his college days at Grand Canyon University, and his adaptation to the European game has been remarkable. Standing at 6'10", he moves with a fluidity that's rare for his size, and his three-point percentage has jumped from 34% last season to nearly 42% in early games. What I appreciate most about Blumbergs is his versatility – he can play multiple positions and doesn't shy away from big moments. I remember watching him hit a game-winning three against Ventspils last season with 2.3 seconds left, and the confidence he displayed was beyond his years.

The point guard position has some exciting prospects too, particularly 20-year-old Rihards Zebergs. Now, I'll admit I had doubts about his decision to leave college basketball early, but he's proven me wrong. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.8:1 is among the league's best, and he's averaging 14.7 points despite being the primary playmaker. What makes Zebergs special is his old-school approach to the game – he's a true floor general who understands pace and tempo better than many veterans. Watching him orchestrate the offense for Liepāja is like watching a conductor lead an orchestra, each movement calculated and purposeful.

One player who's genuinely surprised me this preseason is Kristians Kārkliņš. At just 18 years old, he's already showing flashes of brilliance that remind me of a young Dāvis Bertāns. His shooting mechanics are textbook perfect, and his release is so quick that defenders simply can't react in time. I tracked his stats during the Baltic Basketball League qualifiers last month – he shot 47% from beyond the arc on 6.2 attempts per game. Those numbers are ridiculous for someone his age. What I love about Kārkliņš is his fearless approach – he doesn't care who's guarding him, he'll take the shot if he's open.

Mārcis Ošenieks represents a different kind of rising star – the late bloomer who's suddenly putting it all together. At 24, he's older than most prospects on this list, but his development curve has been extraordinary. After struggling with injuries early in his career, he's emerged as a defensive stalwart for Valmiera Glass ViA. I watched him record 4 blocks and 3 steals in a single game against Kalev/Cramo last week, and his defensive rotations were absolutely perfect. Sometimes we get so caught up in scoring that we forget how valuable lockdown defenders can be – Ošenieks reminds us of that fundamental truth.

The center position features an intriguing prospect in Andrejs Gražulis, who combines traditional post skills with modern athleticism. At 7 feet tall with a vertical leap measured at 32 inches during combine testing, he's a physical specimen who can finish above the rim with either hand. But what really excites me about Gražulis is his developing outside shot – he's attempted 15 three-pointers this preseason and made 7 of them. If he can maintain that 46% shooting from deep while maintaining his interior presence, he'll be virtually unguardable.

Renārs Birkāns brings something different to the table – pure, unadulterated hustle. The 21-year-old small forward might not have the prettiest shooting form or the flashiest handles, but he impacts winning in ways that don't always show up in the box score. I've lost count of how many loose balls I've seen him chase down, how many offensive rebounds he's grabbed in crucial moments. His motor never stops running, and that kind of energy is contagious on a basketball court. In many ways, Birkāns embodies that idea of continuous learning and growth – he's constantly adding new elements to his game.

Then we have Jānis Timma, who at 29 might seem like an unusual inclusion on a rising stars list, but hear me out. After several years playing abroad, his return to the Latvian League has revealed a more complete, more mature player. He's no longer just a scorer – he's become a leader who makes everyone around him better. I've noticed how younger players gravitate toward him during timeouts, hanging on his every word. That veteran presence and willingness to mentor while still performing at an elite level makes him someone to watch for entirely different reasons.

Looking at these players collectively, what strikes me is how well the Latvian development system is working. The league has produced 12 EuroLeague players over the past decade, and based on what I'm seeing, that pipeline isn't slowing down. These rising stars represent not just individual talent but a basketball culture that emphasizes skill development, basketball IQ, and mental toughness. They're learning from each game, each practice, each interaction – exactly as that quote suggested about bringing learnings forward into the future.

As the season progresses, I'll be keeping a particularly close eye on how these players handle adversity. Talent is one thing, but resilience is what separates good players from great ones. The Latvian League has always been a proving ground for future stars, and something tells me we'll look back on this season as a turning point for several of these athletes. The coffee's gone cold now, but my excitement for what's to come is just heating up. These ten players represent the future of Latvian basketball, and if my instincts are right, it's a future brighter than the arena lights on opening night.