Saar, Kahelin to tip off at FIBA U20 European Basketball Championship

University of Maine women’s basketball players Dor Saar and Anna Kahelin will compete Aug. 3–11 at the FIBA U20 European Basketball Championships in Prishtina, Kosovo.

Kahelin plays for Team Finland, which opens with Greece on Aug. 3. Saar plays for Team Israel, which gets underway Aug. 4 with Croatia.

Saar has played for five years at European Championships, where she’s averaged 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. The rising junior at UMaine was a 2019 America East All-Conference Third Team member and the 2018 Rookie of the Year for the back-to-back AE Champion Black Bears. Last season, the 5-foot-6-inch point guard averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds in just over 35 minutes a contest.

Kahelin, is an incoming first-year player. The 5-11 forward also played for Finland’s U15, U16 and U18 national teams and the women’s national squad. Her U19 team won national championships in 2016 and 2017. 

“We are very proud of both Dor and Anna as they get set to represent their countries and UMaine playing in the U20 European Championships,” says Black Bear coach Amy Vachon. “It is a special experience when we are able to watch our players play at the highest level against some of the best players in Europe. Anna and Dor will undoubtedly make us proud in Kosovo.”

Black Bear fans can follow Saar and Kahelin on the FIBA site. For more news about UMaine Athletics, visit goblackbears.com.