Career: Levski Sofia (Bulgaria-Pro A, 2003-…).

"I called him because we do not have many tall men at the center position", Rosen Barchovski explained last July. At 20, Nikolay Varbanov (2.08 m) is still a prospect but he is one of the four players of the Under 20 team called by the national coach to take part in preparations. Along with the Ivanov twins and Slaveykov, he won the 2005 Under 20 European Championship (Division B) this summer. He averaged 4.4 points (57.1% shooting) and 3.3 rebounds in only 11 minutes per game during the competition. Against Albania, he saw 32 minutes of action and proved he could be a factor in the paint (11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks). Like most big men of his age, he still needs time to blossom.