Orlando Magic fans had a keen eye on EuroBasket 2025 because it was an important tournament for Franz Wagner.
Wagner led Germany to the FIBA World Cup title two years ago, so they were looking to add more silverware this summer.
After Nikola Jokic’s Serbia were knocked out, Germany became the favorites to win the competition, and they delivered by beating Turkey in the final.
Wagner scored 18 points against Turkey and was later named one of the five best players at EuroBasket 2025.
However, former NBA player Tim Legler was also impressed by another Magic player at the tournament.
Photo by Matteo Marchi/FIBA via Getty ImagesOrlando Magic player was ‘big winner’ at EuroBasket 2025
NBA podcaster Adam Mares brought up Tristan Da Silva’s name in a conversation about the EuroBasket final.
Da Silva, who was selected with the 18th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, had a solid rookie season with the Magic.
He continued his form into Germany’s EuroBasket campaign and was one of the “big winners” at the tournament.
“One guy you didn’t mention, and I’m so curious because I don’t have a lot of thoughts about this player, but they really are a big winner for me at EuroBasket, is Tristan Da Silva,” Mares explained.
“I thought he was a phenomenal player in this game, and I thought he popped in most of this tournament as a guy that I was like, ‘He’s doing NBA stuff.’
“Obviously, he’s an NBA player, but impressive NBA stuff. And he was not just one of the guys; he was a standout, in my opinion.”
Tim Legler admitted he was already impressed by Da Silva in the Magic’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
The ex-Golden State Warriors shooting guard then commended his defense at EuroBasket 2025, which was crucial to Germany’s victory.
“So, I called a couple [Magic] games a year ago, including a playoff game, and I was so impressed with his defense,” he said. “He really stood on a team that’s an excellent defensive team.
“So, they expect that; that’s something the organization, Jamahl Mosley, demands, but he jumped off the page at me.
“On this team, to have a guy like that when you’ve got all this other talent, who’s more than just this added-on piece… The guy’s a really good player, and his defense was a huge part of this.”
Photo by Filip Viranovski/FIBA via Getty ImagesTim Legler ‘didn’t notice’ Franz Wagner in fourth quarter
Although Wagner is clearly Germany’s best player, point guard Dennis Schroder won the EuroBasket MVP award.
Perhaps that had something to do with Wagner’s lack of contribution in the fourth quarter of the final against Turkey.
“What’s interesting is who have I not mentioned yet? Franz, who had a really good stat line,” Legler added. “You didn’t notice him at all in the fourth quarter.
“I’m not like trying to knock him. What I’m saying is that’s how that’s how deep their team was in this game with guys making plays.
“Wagner’s the best player on the team. He’s an NBA All-Star caliber player. He really wasn’t involved for them offensively at all down the stretch. It was everybody else.”