What happened with the HNBT U14 All-Star team of 2018?

In the spring of 2018, during the HNBT U14 tournament in Groningen, five young talents stood out among their peers — displaying skill, heart, and the kind of promise that makes basketball fans excited. The All-Star Team consisted of:

• Paulius Murauskas (Tornado BS) – MVP
• Zak Missouri (Solent Kestrels)
• Rory Urquhart-Hawkins (Solent Kestrels)
• Luka Lampret (KK Jance)
• Nal Belko (KK Jance)

Eight years later, we took a closer look at each of their paths — from youth success to what they’re doing now.

Paulius Murauskas — From HNBT MVP to NCAA Leader

The MVP of the 2018 U14 All-Star Team, Paulius Murauskas, has continued to make waves in basketball — most notably in American college basketball.

Early Years & Lithuania

Paulius began his career in his hometown of Kaunas, Lithuania, developing through the famed Žalgiris Kaunas youth system and playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) — one of Europe’s strongest domestic leagues — as a teenager.

Moving to the USA

In 2023 he moved to the United States to play NCAA Division I basketball, first at the University of Arizona. After one season there, he transferred to Saint Mary's Gaels where he’s become a key starter and one of the team’s statistical leaders.

Performance Highlights

As a junior (2025–26), Paulius has averaged around 18–19 points and 7+ rebounds per game, making him one of the most productive forwards in the competitive West Coast Conference.

He’s recorded multiple double-doubles and has been widely recognized for his scoring ability, rebounding strength, and physical presence.

Impact & Growth

Paulius’s play has helped his team compete for conference titles and cemented his reputation as a versatile forward capable of scoring inside and out, rebounding at a high level, and competing against top collegiate talents — an impressive rise from his youth days in Groningen.

Zak Missouri — Steady Contributor in British Basketball

After his All-Star performance with the Solent Kestrels, Zak Missouri continued to pursue basketball in the UK.

Club Progression

He remained involved in the British basketball circuit — representing youth teams and later appearing for clubs such as Solent Kestrels and Teesside Lions in the English National Basketball League (NBL). The NBL is a respected tier of senior competition below the professional British Basketball League (BBL), and offers regular competitive play against adult opponents.

Development & Play Style

While Zak hasn’t yet made a leap to a top European league or NCAA level, his consistent involvement — including documented games and highlight reels — points to a player who continued to train and compete regularly through his teenage years and early adulthood.

Off-Court Growth

In many cases for British players, success means balancing competitive play with education and semi-professional opportunities. For Zak, this path has likely involved both on-court improvement and life beyond basketball.

Overall: Zak’s journey illustrates humility and persistence — staying active in the UK hoops scene, helping teams compete, and gaining experience that many players don’t always get at the national level.

Rory Urquhart-Hawkins — Itchen College and Beyond

Rory Urquhart-Hawkins continued his basketball trajectory after 2018 with Itchen College Basketball Academy (UK), where he played in the U19 setup through the 2022–23 season. 📹 You can still find his highlight performances from that season on YouTube.

His presence on college highlight videos suggests he was a meaningful contributor — showing off scoring ability, size, and versatility as a guard.

2018–2023 Run

Rory’s competitive play appears to have lasted through the 2022–23 academic year, after which public records and competitive statistics become scarce. This typically indicates a player choosing a different route: either focusing on education, pursuing work or other interests outside elite basketball, or shifting to recreational/local play.

What This Says

Not every talented youth athlete continues in high-level competition, and Rory’s path reflects the reality of many who balance passion with broader life choices. His time at Itchen College, combined with documented games from 2023, shows he gave his all before deciding what came next.

Luka Lampret — Professional Basketball in Slovenia

Luka Lampret built on his promising youth career at KK Jance to play senior professional basketball in Slovenia — one of Europe’s respected basketball nations.

Playing at a High Level

Luka has been a competitor in the Slovenian League, including appearances for teams such as LTH Castings, where he’s logged minutes against adult competition, recorded stats, and gained experience as a forward.

International Experience

He also represented Slovenia in youth national teams (U18/U20), showcasing his ability to compete against peers across Europe.

Player Profile

Luka’s development shows steady professional growth: a reliable forward, capable of contributing in scoring and defense in senior competition. His journey highlights how youth All-Star performance can translate into continued development in strong regional leagues.

Nal Belko – Senior League Guard and International Youth

Nal Belko, Luka’s teammate at KK Jance, also continued his basketball path into senior competition in Slovenia.

Senior League Play

Nal played for Šentjur in the Slovenian national league — a competitive environment where players must contribute consistently to earn minutes and impact games.

Youth National Teams

Like Luka, Nal represented Slovenia in international youth tournaments (U18/U20), which is a strong indicator of his skill level and reputation among coaches nationally.

Play Style & Role

A guard with size, vision, and scoring ability, Nal’s continued presence in Slovenia’s senior leagues underscores a commitment to basketball at a high, sustainable level — balancing professional play with individual growth.

Eight years after Groningen, the 2018 HNBT All-Star team showcases a wide array of basketball journeys:

⭐ Paulius Murauskas – NCAA impact player at Saint Mary’s, one of his team’s leaders and a consistent scorer and rebounder.

⭐ Zak Missouri – Continued competitive basketball in the UK’s national leagues.

⭐ Rory Urquhart-Hawkins – Competitive play through Itchen College until 2023, then transitioned away from elite competition.

⭐ Luka Lampret – Senior professional player in Slovenia with league and international youth experience.

⭐ Nal Belko – Slovenian senior league guard with youth national team background.

Final Thoughts

Looking back on the 2018 HNBT U14 All-Star Team, it’s inspiring to see how youth success can unfold in so many directions — from international collegiate competition to local and national leagues, and meaningful journeys both on and off the court.

Whether these players become household names or pursue careers beyond basketball, their connection to HNBT and the memories they made here continue to resonate.