Dennis Schroder has been the main man for Germany for much of EuroBasket 2025, but when the championship was hanging in the balance, it was Isaac Bonga who was the man of the hour. 

The Germans could not have drawn up a worse way to begin a EuroBasket final. They were facing an early deficit, but thanks to Bonga, they were able to prevent Turkey from pulling away. Aggressive was the right way to describe the 25-year old during the critical portions of the game as he made the most out of mismatches and was disruptive on the defensive end. It was thus no surprise that Bonga ended up being named the Finals MVP of EuroBasket 2025. 

Bonga’s stellar play for much of the tournament, which also earned him Best Defender honors, did not go unnoticed. The averages of 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals only tell half of his story as everyone who followed Germany’s run saw an assertive Bonga. 

Fear was never an option for Bonga, who seized the moment and always sought the right play whether that was a pass, screen, steal, block, or a much-needed basket. That he did all this while defending the opposing team’s best player was no easy feat and it definitely earned him the respect of his peers. 

Bonga’s skillset remains in demand in an NBA that puts a premium on players that can take on multiple roles and defend multiple positions. In fact, he knocked down 41.2 percent of his 3-point baskets last season with Partizan Belgrade. The 39th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft was able to bring this over to EuroBasket 2025, where he converted on 45.2 percent of his 3.4 3-point attempts per game. 

However, the Bundesliga and German Cup winner will have to wait another year as his NBA exit clause has reportedly expired. Bonga certainly wouldn’t mind waiting, especially as he and Partizan Belgrade look to go back-to-back this season. In the meantime, all he needs to do is play well and stay healthy, something he can manage in Serbia. 

Germany’s EuroBasket 2025 title run was sealed by Dennis Schroder, but none of it would be possible if not for Isaac Bonga. His timely offense and stingy defense were the keys in beating the toughest team in this year’s EuroBasket besides his own team. 

His future is clearly set in Serbia for the moment, but beyond next year, Bonga has earned the right to dictate his next steps on his own terms. Such is accorded to someone who not only rules over Europe but is pretty much a world champion in his own right.