With an old-school approach, Aris Midea Thessaloniki might make it to the BKT EuroCup postseason based primarily on defense.

 Trademarks by Eurohoops: Defense shows Aris the way to the playoffs 

You must be extra alert to spot it at first glance. The logo of Aris Midea Thessaloniki depicts the mythological god of war, Ares, and at his side there's a shield. So it's not a coincidence that defense is the key for Aris head coach Giannis Kastritis and his players as the storied club moves closer to a playoff qualification in its return to BKT EuroCup after an absence of seven years. Through 15 rounds, Aris has leaned on the EuroCup's stingiest defense, allowing 74.3 points per game. That's no small feat and it's a conscious choice, with Aris deliberately playing a slow-tempo game, opposing the trends of the modern game and controlling the tempo in an old-school way.

[MORE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1617093/defense-shows-aris-the-way-to-the-playoffs/)

With an old-school approach, the Greek club from Thessaloniki might make it to the BKT EuroCup postseason based primarily on defense.

Trademarks by Eurohoops: Defense shows Aris the way to the playoffs

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-01-24T18:00:00.000Z)

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary sanction pertaining to incidents that occurred in Round 15 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

 Round 15 disciplinary sanction 

- Dennis SEELEY, player of U-BT Cluj Napoca, has been sanctioned with a one-game suspension and a fine of €2,000 for the use of violent means or procedures during a playing action that were an affront to the physical well-being of a player, on the occasion of his team's away game against rationpharm Ulm under Article 29.2.e) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code
- Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul has been sanctioned with a fine of €1,500 for the lighting of flares by its fans on the occasion of its away game against Hamburg Veolia Towers under Article 27.2.d) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code
- Nenad Canak, head coach of 7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys, has been sanctioned with a fine of €4,000, for lack of respect towards the members of the officiating crew, on the occasion of his team's away game against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse under Article 27.2.b) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code
- Simas Juraitis, assistant coach of 7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys, has been sanctioned with a fine of €500, for attempted physical aggression towards a member of the visiting team, on the occasion of its away game against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse under Article 27.2.c) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code
- Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse has has been sanctioned with a fine of €500 for the throwing of objects onto the playing court on occasion of its home game against 7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys under Article 29.2.h) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code

Round 15 disciplinary sanction

Raised on two continents and working his way up from the bottom, Paul Biligha has played a big part in reviving the fortunes of Aquila Basket Trento.

 Paul Biligha, Aquila Basket Trento: 'We've worked hard as hell' 

Some players have it easy to play in elite European competitions, and others have to work their way upward. Born in Perugia, Italy, [Dolomiti Energia Trento center Paul Biligha](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/paul-biligha/009903/) started to play basketball in Cameroon, where he lived from the age of nine until he was 16. He returned to Italy, started to play in the country's third division and a decade later was suiting up in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. 

Looking for a bigger role, Biligha joined Trento last summer and his move is paying off. He has averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks for a PIR of 10.6 in 15 EuroCup games this season. Even more importantly, after several losing seasons, Trento ranks sixth in Group B with a 7-8 record and controls its destiny in the race for the playoffs. Biligha is enjoying the ride, too.

**Congratulations on beating Slask to stay in the playoff zone. What allowed you to win that crucial game?**

"Thank you. It was a really tough game for us and also for them. For us, we had to stay in the playoff course and for them, to finish the EuroCup really well. So it wasn't an easy game. We took the lead in the first minute of the game and they came back and took the lead. There were some lead exchanges and they were up at halftime when we went to the locker rooms. We talked about what we had to do better and how to do better, and just went out there and tried to compete and be as aggressive as possible. At some point, we started to win the battle of the boards and that gave us confidence to make some shots in the third quarter. And after that, it was just a fight to keep up with the lead we had."

Dolomiti Energia Trento

I am really interested in sustainability and climate change... When I was in Cameroon, I really saw the effects of globalization."

**Trento is in sixth place right now, one win ahead of Turk Telekom and Buducnost, despite starting 0-3 after several losing seasons. What has helped turn things around?**

"The thing is that I think this team is really understanding its talent and capabilities, what we can do on a basketball court because in Italy, we had some really ugly losses but also some crazy wins against Reyer or Brescia, which was in the EuroCup before. So we know what we can do and I think this year, after that 0-3 start, we knew that things would turn around for us, and that gave us the push to win three straight games after that. And at the point, when you are 50%, you just say 'Okay, let's try to get to the playoffs.' I think we have the talent to get to the playoffs and you need the focus in the games to do the little things and not make the little mistakes that would take us away from the playoffs."

**You joined Trento after four seasons in Milan. How do you like your role as a starting center? Is it what we were looking for, more playing time?**

 "Yes, it was my primary goal when I got out of Milan after four years. I won everything other than the EuroLeague. We had the chance to win the EuroLeague \[in 2021\] but unfortunately, we lost on the last shot. So yes, I came to Trento to play a little bit more. I wouldn't say I came here to be in the starting lineup, I just wanted to play more and give something more on the court for my team. That was my goal, my main goal, and I think until now, I am trying to be there, to do that, sometimes good, sometimes not so good, but it's a process. We are trying to build something in Trento and I really like the process. I think that also this year, we improved our competitiveness in the EuroCup. Trento is not just focused on the Italian championship, we can play in both competitions. This is what we are trying to do and what I'm trying to help the team to do."

**You lived in Cameroon and Italy as a child. Where did you start playing basketball?**

"I will start with the last question because it's something I'm really proud of. I started playing basketball in Cameroon when I was 13 years old, with a youth coach, national coach who was doing his basketball practices with teams during my middle school years. And he saw me playing soccer and he told me: 'Hey, let's go and try to play basketball with us, you are so tall and big! Why do you pursue playing soccer?'. Because in my head, I was thinking that maybe one day I'm going to be a soccer player, but it was a big mistake. So yes, I got that chance to start playing basketball with this coach and everything started from there. I started to have some basic skills: how to shoot, dribble, move... Then I had the occasion when I was 16 years old, to travel, come back to Italy and start my journey to learn and improve my basketball skills and here I am, having the career I am having. That's a little bit of the summary of my journey in basketball."

Paul Biligha in his first BKT EuroCup season with Dolomiti Energia Trento.

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: Paul Biligha, Trento

**Did working your way up from the Italian third division to the EuroLeague make you appreciate that journey even more?**

"For sure, for sure, because it is something that the guys who always played in the EuroLeague will never experience, playing in small categories. If you played basketball, or are playing basketball in these kinds of categories, you know better than me. There is this feeling that nobody cares about what you are doing on the court, but you have to be competitive and put all you have on the court. That is the same as in the EuroLeague. And also, you have some story about some crazy gym where you played; places where it is really cold inside, or sometimes the rim is so low or so high, these kinds of things. It gave me memories and for sure, it is a big part of my basketball career and I will remember it for life."

**I heard that you are studying and preparing for life after basketball. What are you studying these days?**

"I am really interested in sustainability and climate change, all the things going around that. I think it is because when I was in Cameroon, I really saw the effects of globalization. For example, when you see this amount of waste, of clothing or other things just come around and you feel, like, how is it possible for us to produce so much garbage or waste? I started to understand that most of the things that are not used in some parts of the world just come to our part and stay there because they pay for that. That's a little example of why I'm trying to learn and maybe one day work in this kind of environment because I think we have to take care of our world the right way, not only take from the world, but also try to preserve that for our younger generations, my kids and other people are going to come after us."

**This is your first EuroCup season. What do you like about it?**

"I think it reminds me of my years in Venice when I played the \[Basketball Champions League\]. I think it was the second year of the BCL, but in the EuroCup, things are different. We have that kind of feeling that the game is played with more spirit. I think it comes from the EuroLeague and its tradition. The teams that play in the EuroCup have that kind of feeling, that tradition, that you are playing for something big and the level is really, really good. I played against people I met before in Italy, and also with some players who didn't play a lot in Italy but now I find them in a EuroCup team, and they are really tough to play, so the level is really good."

I think we have the talent to get to the playoffs."

**Let's talk about it, then. Did any player in particular surprise you?**

"Brandon Paul! I mean, everybody knows he was good, but he is still good. Brussino, of course. I think he is a big talent out there. Sometimes I ask myself why he stayed in Gran Canaria because he is a really great talent. So Nicolas Brussino and Brandon Paul, and also Dusan Miletic, who we played against last week. He is a really skilled big man who can do everything on the court. And the last one would be Williams of Ulm. He is really, really tough to guard. He also can do everything on the court, so these are the four guys that really impressed me." 

**Trento will play Cluj next week and Buducnost the week after that. You fought hard to keep your playoff hopes alive. How much are you looking forward to these truly important games?**

"First things first, we have to play against Cluj. It is a very important game for us, the players, also because of the way they beat us on our home court. That really hurt us badly, they came to our court and told us that we didn't have any chance to win. I think that our will is not only making the run for the playoffs, but also to show that what they did in our home, we can give back. As for Buducnost, we had a chance to win there. We were close to winning but unfortunately, we didn't close the deal. It is going to be an open game now at home. So yes, these are two key games that will decide if we are in or not. We have to take care of them."

**What would it mean for you and for the team to see Trento in the playoffs?**

"I think that is going to give us the validation of what we are already doing these months, because we've worked hard as hell every time in practice and every time in games. Everybody gives 100% and you need that validation. What we are doing is really something important for us, for the team, for the city. So yes, making it to the playoffs would give us confidence, proving that we are really doing something great. Now, we have to do that."

More Trento news

Raised on two continents and working his way up from the bottom, Trento's starting center is proud to be helping revive his team.

Paul Biligha, Trento: 'We've worked hard as hell'

Aris’s league-best defense wasn’t enough when the teams last met, as Bourg squeezed out a 72-65 home victory. The versatile [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/) top scored with 16 points and his confidence is high after netting 22 in last week’s win over Lietkabelis. Aris will look for more heroics from [Roberto Gallinat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/roberto-gallinat/012708/), who scored last week’s buzzer-beating game-winner against Buducnost.

### Ioannis Kastritis, Aris head coach

“It’s a very difficult game against Bourg, a team which is first in the standings of our group and second in France. We have to increase our good moments in the game and it will not be easy, because of the opponent’s high quality and our fatigue that comes from the last few games. Our players fight with pride in every game. We want to be competitive and fight for a very big win.”

### Vassilis Toliopoulos, Aris guard

“We are facing the top team of our group and that says it all about the difficulty of the game. We had two big wins – against Buducnost \[VOLI Podgorica\] and AEK \[Athens\] – but we leave those games in the past as we await another big game against Bourg. It’s a very important game. If we win, we will make a big step towards qualifying for the playoffs. We always play for the win and we want to be competitive, hoping that fatigue and some absences won’t affect our game.”

### Frederic Fauthoux, Bourg head coach

"They like to work, keep the ball in their hands, shoot in the last moments \[of the shot clock\]. It's a particular style of play and there are real differences between us, so we have to deal with that and play our game."

### Axel Julien, Bourg guard

"Thessaloniki is a complicated trip – it has an arena with a noisy atmosphere. We will have to be serious; we have to win this game because they are also looking for victories to qualify for the playoffs. We will have to stay serious to seek the victory."

Game News

Aris (7-8) is hoping to stay strong in the playoff chase against Group B leader Bourg (12-3), with both teams on a hot streak after winning four of the last five.

Axel Julien, Bourg: 'We have to win this game'

Playoff-bound U-BT Cluj-Napoca (11-4) will look to boost its chances of clinching a top-two finish as it hosts an Aquila Basket Trento team (7-8) also looking to qualify for the postseason from a very tight Group B.

Preview: U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Aquila Basket Trento

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/158/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs16-game-notes-facts-clu-trn/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs15-prequotes-clu-tre/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Cluj has won three straight and can also take confidence from a colossal 60-98 victory over the Italian team earlier this season, when [Karel Guzman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karel-guzman/011797/)’s double-double of  14 points and 12 rebounds helped make the difference. [Andrejs Grazulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrejs-grazulis/005738/) had 15 points and 8 boards in that game, and his showdown with Guzman will be a highlight again this week.

[Cluj-Napoca Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/statistics/clu/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Trento Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/statistics/trn/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Karel Guzman vs. Andrejs Grazulis: Two of the competition's best forwards go to battle in Cluj-Napoca.

Both sides embark on this showdown in high-spirits since earning the opportunity to secure a fourth successive gain. Cluj emphasise at the back with DJ Seeley averaging 2 steals per game, while Kamar Baldwin is blossoming for Trento and netted 28 and 17 points in his previous two games.

Last game: Dolomiti Energia Trento-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 7 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

Playoff-bound Cluj (11-4) will look to boost its chances of clinching a top-two finish as it hosts a Trento team (7-8) also looking to qualify for the postseason from a very tight Group B.

Cluj, Trento both eyeing playoff objectives in Round 16

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-01-23T17:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm (8-7) will look to seal a playoff place by ending an alarming four-game losing streak as it travels to Buducnost VOLI (6-9), which certainly hasn’t given up on its own chances of advancing despite losing two of the last three.

Preview: Buducnost VOLI  vs. ratiopharm Ulm

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/157/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs16-game-notes-facts-bud-ulm/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The German team cruised home, 84-67, when the teams met in November, led by 12 points and 10 assists from gifted young guard [Juan Nunez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/juan-nunez/010106/), who has committed 5 turnovers in two of the last three games. Buducnost will look for backcourt control from [McKinley Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mckinley-wright-iv/012606/), who has scored in double digits in five straight games.

[Buducnost Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/statistics/bud/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Ulm Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/roster/ulm/?season=2023-24)

McKinley Wright vs. Juan Nunez: A couple of excellent playmakers face off in Round 16.

Under new leadership following the departure of head coach Petar Mijovic, Buducnost seek a return to winning ways versus an Ulm roster that slipped up against Cluj, yet are armed with Juan Nuñez, who is prospering as one of the continent's hottest backcourt prospects.

Last game: ratiopharm Ulm-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 7 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

Ulm (8-7) will look to seal a playoff place by ending an alarming four-game losing streak as it travels to Buducnost (6-9), which certainly hasn’t given up on its own chances of advancing despite losing two of the last three.

Playoff-chasing Buducnost takes on falling Ulm

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-01-23T18:00:00.000Z)

One of the games of the regular season between two genuine title contenders will see first-placed Paris Badalona (14-1) tested by red-hot Joventut Badalona (10-5).

Preview: Paris Basketball vs. Joventut Badalona

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-joventut-badalona/U2023/152/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs16-game-notes-facts-prs-jov/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs15-prequotes-prs-jov/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Both teams are on seven-game winning streaks, with the Spanish team keeping alive its hopes of a two-top finish by overcoming London last week thanks to buzzer-beating heroics from [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andres-feliz/011247/). His showdown with another of the competition’s best guards, [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/), is sure to provide thrills, as will the clash in the paint between in-form [Leon Kratzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/leon-kratzer/004512/) and veteran [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/).

[Paris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/statistics/prs/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Joventut Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/statistics/jov/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

TJ Shorts vs. Andres Feliz: Two All-EuroCup candidates prepare to lead their teams in a must-watch showdown.

Paris have appeared unstoppable, with guard Nadir Hifi's average of 15.8 ppg just one of many weapons available to Coach Tuomas Iisalo, whilst Joventut harbour injury-issues, yet are well- led by veteran shooter DeShaun Thomas, who has seized at least 16 in each of the last five outings.

Last game: Joventut Badalona-Paris Basketball | Round 7 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

One of the games of the regular season between two genuine title contenders will see first-placed Paris (14-1) tested by red-hot Joventut (10-5).

Near-perfect Paris hosts red-hot Joventut

Paris Basketball v Joventut Badalona (2024-01-23T19:30:00.000Z)

Here are five players at different price points who could give your EuroCup Fantasy Challenge team a lift in Round 16.

Round 16 fantasy tips: Players with plenty to play for

There are only three rounds left in a highly-entertaining 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Eight teams have already qualified for the playoffs and two more could potentially punch their tickets to the next round this week. Here are some recommendations for players from several different price ranges who could enhance your fantasy teams this week.

[Angel Delgado, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) (16.6 credits) – The man of the moment in the EuroCup. Delgado had 15 points on 6-of-9 two-point shooting and 16 rebounds for a PIR of 26 in Round 14 against Umana ReyerVenice. He did even better in Round 15, leading Besiktas to an overtime victory over Veolia Towers Hamburg with 17 points, 17 rebounds and 7 fouls drawn for a PIR of 36. Simply outstanding!

[Ethan Happ, Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ethan-happ/009864/) (12.8 credits) – Happ has been solid in 2024 and become Gran Canaria's main frontcourt pillar. He led his team to a road win against 7bet Lietkabelis Panevezys with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for a PIR of 20. Happ also did well in a losing effort against Turk Telekom Ankara with 13 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 22. Getting better and better!

[David Nwaba, London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/david-nwaba/012797/) (15.4 credits) – There were high expectations of Nwaba and this is why we entered the game with a high price. Nwaba has proved to be worth that much and more, averaging 15.5 points on 9-of-13 two-point shooting and 5.5 rebounds for a PIR of 20.0. London is still fighting for a top-two finish in Group A, so expect Nwaba to keep doing very well!

David Nwaba, Bar Timor, Angel Delgado, Ethan Happ and Marco Spissu are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 15

[Bar Timor, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bar-timor/004846/) (8.2 credits) – Timor is seeing more responsibilities on offense lately and that has seen his PIR average skyrocket. He had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 12 assists for a PIR of 28 against London and amassed 13 points and 5 assists for a PIR of 15 against Paris Basketball. After back-to-back home losses, Hapoel will look to Timor to bounce back.

[Marco Spissu, Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marco-spissu/004381/) (12.1 credits) – Reyer likely needs to win all of its remaining games to keep its playoff chances alive, and it may not be enough. That means experienced players like Spissu won't stop trying. In his last two games, Spissu has buried 8 of 13 three-pointers, averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 assists for a PIR of 17.5, to keep Reyer in the playoff run!

Listen to some of the top prospects on the continent, including Nikola Topic and Kasparas Jakucionis, as they experience the 2022-23 ANGT Finals.

ANGT ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary is out now!

The Adidas Next Generation Tournament provides a platform for the superstars of tomorrow to showcase their talents, with Gen Z taking center stage during last year’s ANGT Finals in Kaunas, Lithuania. In ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary, presented by SKWEEK, you can follow the players’ progress through the tournament as they discuss the importance of the event, what it means for them moving forward, and the lessons they have learned.

Thanks to the support of Adidas and SKWEEK, this documentary provides an opportunity to get inside the mindset of what makes an elite prospect in Europe during the ANGT Finals. In addition to hearing the thoughts of 2006-07 MVP [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) (now of AS Monaco) and 2012-13 MVP [Alberto Abalde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alberto-abalde/003733/) (now of Real Madrid), FC Barcelona guard [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) also talks about the impact of being on the big stage for the first time.

A couple of stars from last year’s ANGT Finals – who feature prominently during this documentary – have already been given a chance to shine on the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stage this season, with [Nikola Topic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-topic/010985/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and [Kasparas Jakucionis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kasparas-jakucionis/012197/) of FC Barcelona both making their debuts in the 2023-24 campaign.

Other players to feature in the documentary include: [Mantas Laurencikas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/mantas-laurencikas/011645/) (U18 Zalgiris Kaunas), [Neoklis Avdalas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/neoklis-avdalas/010798/) (U18 Panathinaikos Athens), [Urban Kroflic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/urban-kroflic/011688/) (U18 Mega MIS Belgrade), [Illan Pietrus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/illan-pietrus/011435/) (U18 Next Generation Select Team), and [Mohamed Diawara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/mohamed-diawara/010801/) (U18 Next Generation Select Team).

Petteri Koponen, the head coach of the U18 Next Generation Select Team, and Roger Grimau, the ex-U18 FC Barcelona head coach and now Barca first-team boss, offer their insights on this new generation and also how pivotal a tournament like the ANGT can be in a player’s development.

Over four days in May 2023, ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary captures the highs and the lows of the players as they go in search of the ultimate prize: winning the ANGT trophy and cementing themselves as one of the top prospects in the world.

Plenty of current and former stars were in attendance across the tournament, too, such as: Real Madrid’s Abalde, Vincent Poirier, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Walter Tavares and Felipe Reyes; Monaco’s Motiejunas; ex-London Lions head coach Ryan Schmidt; ex-Zalgiris boss Kazys Maksvytis; Zalgiris assistant coach Tautvydas Sabonis; Barcelona legend and current director Juan Carlos Navarro; Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga; and Zalgiris legends Paulius Jankunas and Arvydas Sabonis.

With so much star power both on the court and in the stands, it’s no surprise that the ANGT continues to grow and grow. Don’t be surprised to see some of the names in ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary feature on EuroLeague and NBA courts in the years to come.

The Adidas Next Generation Tournament provides a platform for the superstars of tomorrow to showcase their talents, with Gen Z taking center stage during last year’s ANGT Finals in Kaunas, Lithuania. In ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary, you can follow the players’ progress through the tournament as they discuss the importance of the event, what it means for them moving forward, and the lessons they have learned.

Thanks to the support of Adidas and SKWEEK, this documentary provides an opportunity to get inside the mindset of what makes an elite prospect in Europe during the ANGT Finals.

Listen to some of the top prospects on the continent as they experience the 2022-23 ANGT Finals.