She had to and would be the X-factor of the Cats: “Next Big Thing” Nastja Claessens solves this European Championship high expectations

Little girls grow up. Similarly, Very big.

Do you recognize the child in the photo above? Meanwhile, Yes. Furthermore, it is Nastja Claessens, who walks hand in hand as a toddler with her mom and then Belgian Cat Irina Medvedeva – born in Russia, but grew up in our country.

In the meantime a dozen years (and a good meter) later. For example, daughter Nastja is now the revelation at the Belgian Cats on the European Basketball European Championship.

It was actually written in the stars. Similarly, her family tree, but on the European Championship, the still 20-year-old Forward of 1, 87 meters in the team demands more and more emphatically.

For years there has been a power vacuum around the well -known basic five of the Cats. Nevertheless, but as “first and most productive rotation player” – she already made this tournament 26 points in 3 games she had would x-factor cats: – Claessens finally fills that up.

Finally? For example. Nevertheless, with many basketball fans it sounds about the relaxation of the great talent, but you can’t get a better compliment at the age of 20.

The question was either, but when Nastja Claessens (also) would go to the Belgian Cats.

Claessens has been known as one of the largest Belgian basketball talents since her young teenage years. Nevertheless, At the age of 15 she made her debut in the highest class for Ion Basket Waregem. Moreover, where her father Frédéric is still a coach.

Barely 3 years later, in the same year, she was chosen as promise and player of the year in our country. Therefore, Unique.

It didn’t give her a first cap at the Cats at the age of 17 at the age of 17. Moreover, The then national coach Rachid Méziane threw she had would x-factor cats: the Forward in a European Championship prior match against Northern Macedonia for. Nevertheless, the first time for the lions.

Her answer: 3 three -point, 2 free -throwing, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in just 8 minutes.

Started well, was half won?

Well, the steep advance of Claessens had an impasse. Some annoying injuries inhibited the development of the teenage talent.

The year after her double recognition in the Belgian highest class. top club Castors Braine attracted the Belgian growth brilliant to Walloon Brabant. But despite a she had would x-factor cats: Draft Pick for the Wnba – it would be a year to quickly forget: due to a linging wrist injury. she already put an end to her season in February 2024.

Although the national team still wanted to prepare her in the summer for the Olympic Games in Paris. she initially fell alongside the selection. Claessens then went with the U20 Cats to the European Championship in the B division. where she led Belgium to the final and was elected as MVP of the tournament.

Only when Julie Allemand had to let go of the Games with an injury. Claessens was allowed to go to Paris – although it would stay there with a modest supporting role.

You could not take it to the 19-year-old after such a season. but this year the restart also took a while.

This season Claessens got the chance with she had would x-factor cats: the Spanish Euskotren from San Sebastian. but the faster and physical European basketball took some getting used to Claessens, who had to sit on the couch more often than her.

It was inevitable that Claessens started with the necessary doubts about the preparation of this European Championship. But even before the Belgian could actually think about it, she wipe it off the table herself.

And there is one man for something in between: Mike Thibault.

It is no coincidence that she is now flourishing under she had would x-factor cats: his wings with the national team. Thibault has been aware of the qualities of the talented Forward for much longer than today.

The American was the General Manager of the Washington Mystics last year. when the WNBA team chose to choose Claessens as 30th in the Draft. If she goes to the US in the coming years, it will normally be with the Mystics.

Thibault – at that time not yet in the picture as national coach of Belgium – already. had a clear plan with her. “She is a valuable player to wear the rights. She will not come to us this year, but perhaps in 1 to 2 years,” he told Sporza at the time.

Thibault is already completely passing on that line at the Cats. In the preparation, he granted his growth brilliant many minutes and opportunities. And also at the tournament itself. he clearly counts on Claessens as the X factor in addition to the fixed basic five.

“Through the preparation, the coach has indeed given me a lot of confidence,” Claessens said during the tournament. “That helps when you take a shot, then you do that with confidence. The chance that the ball will enter is also greater.”

And whether the balls entered. with the match against Montenegro as outlier: she was there in a changeable match and signed for 14 points – only routiniers Meesseman (15) she had would x-factor cats: and Linskens (25) did better.

“She has taken a huge step, is a hard worker and keeps getting better,” said Mike Thibault herself. “Yes, I am really proud of her.”

Enough reasons for the 20-year-old Cat to start floating quietly, but you will never catch the ever-sober Claessens.

In interviews she always keeps modest, thank her teammates and coach first, then nuance her own performance. But the secret smile that she sometimes dares to escape afterwards is disarming.

Claessens has received her talent, but also her modesty from home. With the spoon in the mouth, but perhaps not with the elbows on the table.

We now know from Mama that she was Belgian Cat on the side of Ann Wauters. but father Claessens is also a basketball animal. Dad Frédéric Claessens is currently still trainer of Waregem. They she had would x-factor cats: taught their daughter to aim high, but not without holding their feet on the floor.

Perhaps the best example: although Claessens is attributed a golden future in the basketball. she is still very committed to her psychology studies. Her books to the Czech Republic and Athens? “My laptop, hey,” she says with a joke that makes us remind us again that she is only 20.

“Which course I studied today? Basketball and German. The focus is currently only going to this tournament. If I feel like it and time, I watch a few lessons. But it has not happened yet,” she had would x-factor cats: she told Germany for the quarterfinals.

First that Magna cum laude with the cats, right? And so the girl of the photo now walks hand in hand with the future of the Belgian basketball.