Pacific guard Eddie Jallow Hedqvist is in the midst of a busy late spring/early summer with the Swedish U20 National team that began with a pair of preparation camps: the first in May and most recently a five-day camp which just ended on 20 June in Södertälje, Sweden. The Swedish side is preparing for a pair of summer tournaments, starting with the five-team “U20 Nordic Championships” between 26th and 30th of June in also in Södertälje.
Sweden begins that tournament on June 27th against Iceland. Three more round-robin games follow: Denmark (June 28th), Finland (June 29th) and Estonia (June 30th).
Just about two weeks later, Sweden kicks off play at the FIBA U20 Eurobasket Division B in Pitesti, Romania. The Swedes have been slotted in Group C and begin action on Friday, July 12th vs. Republic of Moldova. Four more group games follow through July 17th against Kosovo, Ukraine, Armenia and Hungary after which the championship bracket is determined en route to the championship and third-place games on Sunday, July 21st. Sweden finished 4th in this competition last summer.
Here is the 12-player roster for the Nordic Championship released earlier today by Sweden Basketball:
6’5” G Eddie Jallow Hedqvist (2005) entering freshman season at Pacific; 9.4 ppg/2.9 rpg/1.0 apg at 2023 U18 European Championships Division 2
6’6” W Nils Cooper (2005) UC Davis sophomore, transfer from Pepperdine, son of Los Angeles Laker great Michael Cooper
6’3” G Linus “William” Holmström Riddervold (2005) VMI/Southern Conference (13.4 ppg/2.6 apg/38.2 3’s, 90% ft last summer for Sweden’s U18 team)
6’8” Villiam Adsten Garcia (2004) ‘23 U20 Eurobasket Division B (8.4 ppg/3.9 rpg); in the transfer portal after limited action with Pacific in ‘23-’24
6’9” Villhelm Bodingh (2004) SO Western Wyoming CC, transfer from Vincennes U DII 1.0 ppg/10 gp; 8.3 ppg/3.4 rpg/ 1.1 apg at U20 Eurobasket in 2023
6’8” Jesper Hallberg (2004) North Platte CC (Nebraska), 2.4 ppg/42% fg/40.7% 3’s
6’6” Felix Smedjeback (2004) Eastern Arizona CC, 3.8 mpg
6’7” Tim Jonsson (2004) Cameron U., DII/Frisco, TX 11 gp /0.3 ppg
6’3” G Max Andersson (2004) 6.7 ppg for U20 team last summer
6’6” Adam Delin Massarsch (2005) 3.1 ppg for U18 team last summer
6’10” Kaspar Mårtenson (2005) 5.3 ppg for U18 team last summer
6’7” Oskar Wickström Stumer (2005) 5.6 ppg for U18 team last summer
Two notable absences from the Nordic championship roster - both with 2004 birthdays:
6’5” William Kermoury (Northeastern D1, 24 gp, 5.8 mpg/1.2 ppg) (2004). Kermoury led Sweden last summer at the Division B U20 Eurobasket at 16.3 ppg and 6.7 rpg and was third with 3.3 apg.
6’8” G/F Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi (LaSalle) 6.1 ppg/2.7 rpg/37% 3’s/21 mpg as a freshman (2004). 9.1 ppg (third leading scorer) at U20 Eurobasket in 2023.
Rosters could change for the U20 Eurobasket in July.
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I’m still hoping the new coaching staff offers their final scholarship to Villiam - he’s such a great young man with a lot of upside to his game!