Some will be competing in their first NextGen tournament, while others will arrive in Ulm with more experience under their belt
NextGen Ulm: Players to watch
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7 Mins read
The first stop of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague will bring some of the best young players from across the continent to compete for bragging rights at the NextGen EuroLeague Ulm tournament. Every team features intriguing talent, and we asked the clubs to identify their player to watch.
Here are the eight players to watch at the NextGen Ulm event.
Nikola Karalic (U18 Mega Super Belgrade)
Nikola Karalic will be playing his third NextGen EuroLeague season, having helped Mega reach the NextGen Finals twice. Last season, he averaged 14.0 points at the NextGen Finals in Dubai after posting 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 steals at the NextGen Istanbul Qualifier. He also contributed to Mega winning the U19 ABA League title, his second championship in the competition.
This season, the 2.02-meter forward is averaging 8.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for Mega’s sister club, OKK Belgrade, in the Serbian League, while also competing in the U19 ABA League. Gaining senior-level experience has been crucial for Karalic’s growth both on and off the court. A versatile player, he is a true three-level scorer and an elite defender thanks to his long wingspan. He can effectively play positions 2 through 4 and have a major impact on the game.
Cameron Houindo (U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana)
Cameron Houindo will be playing in his third NextGen season. The big man moved from France to Ljubljana in the summer of 2025 after impressing at the 2024–25 NextGen tournament in Belgrade, where he averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. He followed that with 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds at the NextGen Finals in Abu Dhabi with U18 Pole France INSEP Paris.
The 2.06-meter center was named MVP of the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024, where France won the title and he averaged 13.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks. Last summer, he posted 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2025.
This season, Houindo has played for Cedevita’s senior team, averaging 2.6 points in the EuroCup and 3.6 points in the Adriatic League, though he has been sidelined since mid-December with a hand/wrist injury. An excellent athlete, Houindo is effective in pick-and-roll situations and consistently active on the offensive glass. Improving his shooting efficiency and face-up game from the perimeter remains the next step in his development.
Lucas Sanchez (U18 BAXI Manresa)
Lucas Sanchez will be playing his second season in the NextGen competition after averaging 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals for Manresa at the NextGen Istanbul event last season. He has made one appearance for the club in both the Spanish League and the EuroCup.
Primarily competing in Spain’s U22 league, Sanchez is averaging 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals. He has good size for a point guard and a high basketball IQ. Known for his advanced pick-and-roll game, he can both facilitate for teammates and finish creatively in the paint. Continued improvement in his shooting and on-ball defense will be key to his progression.
Jamie Edoka (U18 Next Gen Ulm Team)
Jamie Edoka is competing in the NextGen tournament for the second time after totaling 1 point and 1 rebound in 13 minutes over four games with the Next Gen Belgrade team in 2023–24. The German guard plays for Frankfurt and is averaging 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the ProB third division, along with 20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in the U19 NBBL.
Edoka has also made one appearance in the German League this season after four games at that level in 2024–25. On the international stage, he competed at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024 and later averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2025. A strong-bodied guard, Edoka can score in multiple ways, using his strength and athleticism offensively while standing out defensively for his versatility and instincts.
Teo Milicic (U18 ratiopharm ulm)
Teo Milicic will be playing in his second NextGen event after averaging 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in Ulm last season. This year, the point guard has averaged 1.9 points and 1.6 assists in the EuroCup, 1.7 points in the German League, 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in ProB, and 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the U19 NBBL.
Basketball runs in the family: his father, Igor Milicic, is the head coach of the Polish national team and EuroCup club Aris Thessaloniki, while his brother, Igor Milicic Jr., plays in the NBA G League and is a key contributor for Poland. Teo is a highly competitive point guard with exceptional basketball IQ, playing with maturity beyond his years. A natural leader, he is constantly vocal on the floor and embraces responsibility in key moments. He can create his own shot, run the pick-and-roll efficiently, and score in multiple ways, while defensively setting the tone with relentless effort. Improving shot consistency remains a priority.
Ilias Chaidemenos (U18 Olympiacos Piraeus)
Ilias Chaidemenos is making his NextGen debut. He is averaging 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals in the Rising Stars U18 League. He was part of the Greece squad that finished fourth at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024, where he posted 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Previously with Peristeri, Chaidemenos is an athletic guard with a strong scorer’s instinct. He is particularly effective in one-on-one situations, combining speed, control, and confidence with the ball. He also shows leadership, solid decision-making, and the ability to create advantages for both himself and his teammates.
Luca Bandirali (U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan)
Luca Bandirali will be making his NextGen debut. He is averaging 9.4 points in Serie B, 8.5 points in the U19 league, and 8.6 points with 2.9 rebounds in the NextGen Cup. He joined Milan from Cantu this past offseason.
The 2.01-meter forward represented Italy for two summers at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket. He was part of the team that finished second in 2023, qualifying for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024, and later averaged 4.0 points and 3.0 rebounds at the 2024 U16 European Championship. An explosive athlete with good size, Bandirali can attack closeouts, finish above the rim, and use his strength to score inside. Defensively, he is effective guarding multiple positions thanks to his mobility, length, and help-side instincts.
Marvyn Wade (U18 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne)
Marvyn Wade will be playing his third season in the NextGen competition after averaging 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in Ulm last year. This season, he is posting 13.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.2 steals with ASVEL’s U21 team.
At the national level, Wade helped France win the title at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024, contributing 5.1 points per game. He stands out as a dynamic scorer with a natural attacking mindset. His speed allows him to consistently beat defenders, create space, and push the pace, especially in transition. His feel for the game is a major strength, though continued work on emotional control and frustration management will aid his development.