Belgium’s national basketball team will be without two of its most prominent rising stars – Toumani Camara and Ajay Mitchell – for the upcoming EuroBasket tournament, as reported by Eurohoops.net.
The Belgian Basketball Federation released a statement explaining the decisions made by both players, shedding light on their reasoning for stepping away from national duties this summer.
“Ajay Mitchell will not participate in the European Championship with the Belgian Lions,” the Federation stated. “After a long and demanding season and a foot injury, he has decided to rest and recover for the new NBA season. He remains motivated to play for Belgium and looks forward to the opportunities that will arise in the coming years.”
Mitchell, who impressed in his debut NBA campaign despite injury setbacks, is looking to prioritize healing and preparation ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season.
The 6-foot-5 guard had toe surgery during the season, limiting him to just 36 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nevertheless, his impact was strong enough to earn him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
He averaged 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.7 steals in 16.6 minutes per game – modest yet promising numbers for a first-year player on a championship-caliber team.
Meanwhile, fellow Belgian and Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara has also opted out of national team participation.
“Toumani Camara is also eager to play for the national team. However, this summer is not the ideal time to join the Belgian Lions, as he is focused on taking an important next step in his NBA career,” the Federation noted.
Camara’s decision appears to be influenced by his NBA trajectory and contract situation. Set to earn $2.22 million for the 2025–26 season, Camara is one of the league’s most cost-effective assets.
With Portland holding a team option for the 2026–27 season, Camara could be in line for a contract extension that would eliminate the final year of his current deal and provide a significant pay raise.
His performance last season supports that possibility: the versatile forward started 78 games and posted averages of 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
His elite defensive skills also earned him All-Defensive Second Team honors, highlighting his growing reputation in the league.
With both Camara and Mitchell sitting out, Belgium heads into EuroBasket without any active NBA players on its roster – an unfortunate but understandable reality, given the physical and professional demands on its top talent.
Camara, Mitchell Won't Play In EuroBasket https://t.co/xg5wvHSnhP pic.twitter.com/o8QYu9wjoy
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 31, 2025
