Eurobasket.com All-Finnish 1st Division B Awards 2026

The standout guard Aaron Ekwere was voted the Player of the Year of the championship-winning champion team Pantterit Helsinki. He received multiple other awards, was selected as the Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Domestic Player of the Year, Guard of the Year and was chosen to the First Team. With Ekwere's excellent performance, the champion team Pantterit Helsinki achieved the best record of the season in the league, finishing with an impressive 18 to 4 in the regular season. Ekwere's excellent performance assisted his team in beating the PeU Basket 3 to 0 in the final series. He averaged over 8 rebounds per game in the league. Ekwere was the Player of the Week honoree four times during the 25 26 campaign. He led the 1st Division B in points per game with almost 26. Ekwere has totalled 16 games of 20 or more points on the year and recorded 30 or more points in 7 games. He registered double-doubles in 8 games at the event. Ekwere's 50 points against the TuNMKY were the most he scored in the 25 26 season. He won the EYBL Under 20 championship title in 2025. Thomas Ronnholm, 22-year old forward from the Salon Vilpas, was honored as the Forward of the Year at the Meisten Divisioona IB. He was also named to the First Team. Ronnholm's best performance made his team reach the finals but they unfortunately were defeated by the Pantterit 0 to 3. He previously earned a spot in the All-Defensive Team and First Team and Domestic Player of the Year last year. With finesse and precision, Ronnholm claimed the fifth position in rebounds per game, delivering a stellar almost 9 rebounds per game average. Ronnholm also had almost 19 points per game that season in the league. He has totalled 9 games of 20 or more points on the year and recorded 30 or more points in 2 games. Ronnholm logged double-doubles in 7 games at the event. His 35 points against the Ura Basket were the most he scored in the 25 26 season. The standout Spaniard center Garang Machol earned the Center of the Year of the championship-winning Pantterit Helsinki. He was also voted to the First Team. Machol's excellent performance assisted his team in beating the PeU Basket 3 to 0 in the final series. He registered over 8 points and 7 rebounds per game over the season in the league. Machol notched double-doubles in 3 games at the event. His 17 points against the Kataja Basket Talents were the most he scored in the 25 26 season. Daniel Rantapaju, 21-year old point guard from the Salon Vilpas, was selected to the First Team of Meisten Divisioona IB. His best performance made his team reach the finals but they unfortunately lost against the Pantterit 0 to 3. Rantapaju was previously chosen to the First Team and Finals MVP last year. He averaged over 22 points and 5 rebounds per game in the league. Rantapaju has totalled 10 games of 20 or more points on the year and recorded 30 or more points in 3 games. He registered double-doubles in 3 games at the event. Rantapaju's 39 points against Nokia were the most he scored in the 25 26 season. Among many awards he was selected as the Eurobasket All-Finnish Under 19 League Honorable Mention back in 2022. Tino Yli-Junnila, 21-year old swingman from the Salon Vilpas, was named to the First Team at the Meisten Divisioona IB. His best performance made his team reach the finals but they unfortunately lost against the Pantterit 0 to 3. Yli-Junnila previously earned a spot in the Second Team last year. He had over 20 points and 5 rebounds per game that season in the league. Yli-Junnila has totalled 13 games of 20 or more points on the year. His 30 points against the HyPo were the most he scored in the 25 26 season. Despite Yli-Junnila's young age he had an impressive career. He was selected to the Eurobasket All-Finnish 1st Division B Second Team in 2025.