NBA Player News

Markkanen registered 21 points (6-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 25 minutes during Finland's 96-67 win over Estonia in Sunday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Markkanen looked sharp in Sunday's exhibition, recording a big double-double. The star forward delivered early-round fantasy value when healthy last year, having averaged 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 34.4 minutes per game across 42 regular-season appearances. His pathway to usage has a few more hurdles this time around, however, as Utah will be integrating Jaren Jackson and Darryn Peterson into the lineup.

Okogie registered 15 points (5-12 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, 11 assists, one block and four steals in 30 minutes during Nigeria's 100-84 win over Cape Verde in Sunday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Okogie set the pace in assists for Nigeria on Sunday, flirting with a triple-double as well. The swingman agreed to a two-year deal with the Jazz this offseason, and he'll offer the club's young core a veteran presence on the wing. Okogie drew 32 regular-season starts for Houston in 2025-26, his most since 2020-21 with Minnesota, and will battle for an Opening Night rotation spot at training camp.

Mara recorded 12 points (3-8 FG, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 19 minutes during Spain's 95-89 loss to Portugal in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 21-year-old was selected by Oklahoma City with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and will enter training camp competing with Jaylin Williams for the backup center role behind Isaiah Hartenstein. Mara's 7-foot-2 frame, passing ability and shot-blocking give him considerable long-term upside, but the Thunder's depth could make consistent playing time difficult to find during his rookie campaign.

Queta recorded 16 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two steals in 25 minutes during Portugal's 95-89 win over Spain in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 campaign for Boston, averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while starting 75 of his 76 regular-season appearances, earning a four-year, $56 million contract this offseason. The addition of Mitchell Robinson creates competition at center, but Queta should remain a significant part of Boston's rotation and could retain the starting job.

Fontecchio recorded 14 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, one steal and one block in 30 minutes during Italy's 78-76 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 30-year-old re-signed with Miami on a one-year deal this offseason after averaging 8.5 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range across 70 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. Miami's offseason additions have created considerably more competition for minutes, and Fontecchio will have to contend with a deep group of forwards that includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andrew Wiggins and Bobby Portis.

Garza recorded 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 FT) and seven rebounds in 16 minutes during Bosnia and Herzegovina's 78-76 win over Italy in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 27-year-old is coming off a career-best 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds during the regular season for Boston. Garza remains under contract with the Celtics for 2026-27, but his limited defensive versatility and competition for frontcourt minutes could make it difficult for him to carve out a large enough role to provide consistent fantasy value.

Nurkic recorded 25 points (11-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 14 rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes during Bosnia and Herzegovina's 78-76 win over Italy in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 32-year-old re-signed with Utah on a two-year deal this offseason after averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.4 minutes across 41 regular-season appearances last season. With Walker Kessler now with the Lakers, Nurkic enters 2026-27 with a clearer path to the starting center job and could be a useful source of rebounds and assists in fantasy despite his limited scoring upside.

Jovic recorded 21 points (9-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes during Serbia's 102-73 win over Iceland in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Jovic continued his impressive qualifying run, as he's now averaging 25.0 points while shooting 65.1 percent from the field through three appearances. The 23-year-old is coming off a disappointing 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting just 36.6 percent from the field across 47 regular-season games. His path to a larger role became more difficult after Miami acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis this offseason, but Jovic is entering the first season of his four-year extension and remains an intriguing developmental piece for the Heat.

Jokic recorded six points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 23 minutes during Serbia's 102-73 win over Iceland in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Jokic attempted only seven shots but impacted the game in his usual fashion as a rebounder and facilitator. The 31-year-old averaged a triple-double for the second consecutive regular season in 2025-26, posting 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game while finishing second in MVP voting. Denver has reshaped the supporting cast around him this offseason, but Jokic remains the unquestioned centerpiece of the offense and should once again be among the first players selected in virtually every fantasy format in 2026-27.

Mykhailiuk recorded 13 points (3-17 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, four assists and one steal in 33 minutes during Ukraine's 82-76 win over Greece in Friday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 29-year-old is coming off one of the best seasons of his NBA career, averaging 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 23.1 minutes across 50 regular-season appearances for Utah while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range. His contract for 2026-27 became fully guaranteed this offseason, and his perimeter shooting should keep him in the mix for rotation minutes on a young Jazz roster. However, Mykhailiuk's production remains heavily dependent on three-point shooting.