Dominant first half enough for easy Gran Canaria win

Gran Canaria gives Fenerbahce no chance 

U18 Gran Canaria threw down a message to start its Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Istanbul with a dominant 84-55 victory over Fenerbahce BEKO Istanbul to start up play in Group B. Gran Canaria gave up just 19 points in the first half to lay the foundation for the win. 

Five players scored in double figures, topped by Arthur Tsafack with 19 points while Mervedi Miteo collected 14 points and 11 rebounds, Moussa Coulibaly had 14 points. Omer Ziyaettin was Fenerbahce’s top scorer with 14 points.

Gran Canaria had the first mini run with six straight points for an 8-3 lead. Fenerbahce could not execute enough on offense and trailed 16-8 and then 20-11 at the end of the first quarter. Fenerbahce needed nearly 5 minutes to score in the second frame and Gran Canaria pulled ahead 29-11. The Spanish side kept its foot on the gas and led 38-13 and the cushion was 42-19 at halftime. 

Fenerbahce was able to score more consistently in the second half but could not get enough stops to really make a dent in Gran Canaria’s dominance. The Turkish side trimmed the gap to 51-29 but then gave up the next six points to go down by 28. Fenerbahce was still fighting and trailed only 61-42 after 30 minutes. Gran Canaria opened the final frame with a 7-2 spurt to push the lead out to 24 points again. One final hopeful push made it 68-47 but Gran Canaria scored the next 10 points to end all doubts. 

Game News

U18 Gran Canaria v U18 Fenerbahce BEKO Istanbul (2024-11-29T10:30:00.000Z)

U18 Bahcesehir College Istanbul grabbed a victory in its first-ever game at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague as the Next Gen Istanbul host side defeated U18 Umana Reyer Venice 64-58 in Group A. It was a game of runs throughout and the Turkish side had the final spurt to get the victory. 

Yavuz Kara led the way with 23 points and 9 rebounds and Mikail Atakan and Ahmet Aydin both scored 10 points for the winning side. Davide Marini was Reyer’s top scorer with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Francesco Eramo collected 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals

Reyer jumped ahead 0-6 before Kara hit a three-pointer for Bahcesehir’s first points in the competition’s history. The home side grabbed the lead for the first time at 9-8 only to have Reyer answer with the next five points. Bahcesehir countered with the next five points before Reyer went up 14-20 and led 18-20 after 10 minutes. The hosts finished off a 10-1 spurt to go ahead 24-21 before Reyer reeled off 15 straight points in a 7-minute scoreless drought for Bahcesehir to trail 24-36. Two triples in the final 28 seconds for the hosts made it 30-36 at the break.

Reyer was up 33-39 when its offense dried up and Bahcesehir went on a 16-2 run to take a 49-41 lead. The home side was still up 52-45 after 30 minutes. Bahcesehir was still up 56-51 but went nearly 5 minutes without a point and fell behind 56-57. The next run came from the hosts with 8 straight points and a 64-57 cushion with 57 seconds left.

NextGen Istanbul hosts team beats Reyer in first-ever game 

Bahcesehir makes history with first-ever win 

U18 Bahcesehir College Istanbul v U18 Umana Reyer Venice (2024-11-29T08:15:00.000Z)

Srzentic outburst carries Mega to easy victory 

Mega eases to opening win over Panathinaikos 

U18 Mega MIS Belgrade opened the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Istanbul with a convincing 93-57 victory over U18 Panathinaikos Athens in Group A. The 2022 continental champion dominated from the start and Panathinaikos never challenged. 

Ognjen Srzentic played at another level for Mega with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for an index rating of 37 in just 22 minutes. Pavle Backo scored 12 points and Petar Ostojic and Vukasin Musikic both had 10 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Christos Georgas scored 12 points and Iason Binis had 9 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Mega pulled away for the first time with a 9-0 run to lead 16-5. The Serbian side twice pushed the lead to 12 points and led 24-14 after 10 minutes. Mega needed more than 2 minutes to score in the second quarter but also held Panathinaikos to just two points in the first 5 minutes in opening a 33-16 advantage. The lead extended to over 20 points for the first time at 39-18 and the score was 48-24 at halftime. 

Mega did not let up in the second half pushing the lead to 30 points at 58-28 and it was 72-32 with 2 minutes left in the third as Mega was just coasting up 78-37 after 30 minutes. Mega temporarily increased the margin to 43 at 78-35 - before Panathinaikos fought to within 80-42. But the game had long been decided. 

U18 Mega MIS Belgrade v U18 Panathinaikos Athens (2024-11-29T06:00:00.000Z)

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague’s 2024-25 season has arrived, with the first of this season's four qualifying events taking place in Istanbul this weekend. Here are some names to watch out for from each of the eight teams in Istanbul.

NextGen Istanbul players to watch

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague’s 2024-25 season has arrived, with the first of this season's four qualifying events taking place in Istanbul this weekend.

The event will feature host [U18 Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/jbc/), fellow Turkish sides [U18 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/jul/) and [U18 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/jef/), as well as [U18 Mega MIS Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-mega-mis-belgrade/roster/jmv/), [U18 Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-gran-canaria/roster/jgc/), [U18 Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-panathinaikos-athens/roster/upa/), [U18 Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/teams/u18-umana-reyer-venice/roster/jur/) and the [U18 NextGen Team Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-next-gen-team-istanbul/roster/ngi/).

They will all meet at the newly renovated Basketball Development Center over three days between November 29 and December 1 with one goal: to advance to the NextGen EuroLeague Finals, which will be held in May alongside the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Here are some names to watch out for from each of the eight teams in Istanbul.

### Francesco Corato, U18 Umana Reyer Venice

[Francesco Corato](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/francesco-corato/012871/) will be appearing in the NextGen for a second time after he averaged 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds at the NextGen Podgorica. The 2.02-meter forward has yet to play for any Italian youth national teams. This season he is averaging 14.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in Italy's U19 league. Corato is a dynamic power forward with good athletic tools that allow him to play above the rim. He is still working on his shot in order to be able to stretch his game. Corato can be dangerous facing the basket where he shows the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim to finish. Corato’s low-post game is not so skilled, but he can use his body to get advantages. On defense, he's a rim protector who can also stay with guards thanks to his quickness and long arms.

### Yavuz Kara, U18 Bahcesehir College Istanbul

This will be [Yavuz Kara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/yavuz-kara/013468/)’s first NextGen event. The small forward has come up through the Bahcesehir system and been a regular with the country’s national team, playing at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 and then helping Turkiye finish third at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. He averaged 3.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in the tournament in Istanbul. Kara is spending his second season predominantly in the Turkish U19 league, where he has been worth 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. He is a strong spot-up and pick-and-pop shooter. Kara does a good job on the offensive glass. He plays well off his left shoulder with the fadeaway and prefers to go left to the rim.

### Mert Kocagozoglu, U18 Anadolu Efes Istanbul

[Mert Kocagozoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/mert-kocagozoglu/013426/) will be playing at the NextGen for the first time as he spends his second season in Efes’s youth system. He has been a leader for the Turkish youth national team for the past two summers, playing at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 and then averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals for the Türkiye team that finished third as hosts at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. This season the forward is collecting 8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in the Turkish U19 league as well as 2.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in the Turkish second division. Kocagozoglu is a good shooter and a good defender. He has a decent pull-up shot and can lock up the opponent’s best offensive player.

### Ognjen Srzentic, U18 Mega MIS Belgrade

[Ognjen Srzentic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/ognjen-srzentic/012436/) will be making his third appearance in the NextGen, having already played in 10 games over the past two seasons - at both the NextGen Belgrade and NextGen Finals both years. The 2.02-meter guard averaged 9.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals at the ANGE Belgrade and then 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds at the NextGen Finals last season. Srzentic played at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 and then helped Serbia to second place at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, where he collected 6.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting a tournament-best 72% on three-pointers. Srzentic helped Mega win both the U19 ABA League and the U19 Serbian League, being named MVP of the latter. He is playing this season in the Serbian League with OKK Beograd and contributing 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Srzentic’s biggest strength is his size and he excels with the ball in his hands. He can slash to the rim at a high level while also being a very good shooter. With his long wingspan, Srzentic can cover multiple positions on defense. His game doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses and he is on the verge of becoming a real star in the future.

### Aleksandr Panasiuk, U18 Gran Canaria

[Aleksandr Panasiuk](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/aleksandr-panasiuk/013102/) will be competing in the NextGen for a second season after he compiled 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists at the NextGen Paris last year. The 2008-born Russian has not yet played for a youth national team. At 1.98 meters, the point guard is averaging 4.5 points in 12 minutes with Gran Canaria’s team in the Spanish third division. Despite his height, Panasiuk is comfortable bringing the ball up and having it in his hands. He has a lot of offensive talent, with a good touch for finishing off the dribble or in catch-and-shoot situations from long distance. He needs to be more consistent with his shooting. Panasiuk is an intelligent player with a clear understanding of the game and he thrives in challenging situations and close games. He is effective in the open court, finding both perimeter and interior teammates. Due to his height, Panasiuk needs to improve in dribbling situations, keeping the ball lower.

### Jahel Trefle, U18 NextGen Team Istanbul

[Jahel Trefle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/jahel-trefle/013121/) will be playing for a select team for the second season after he was a member of the NGT side that won the NextGen Paris last year. The center averaged 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. He also played for France at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024, collecting 4.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Trefle is a strong and very athletic big man. He is very explosive and quick off of his feet and definitely has a flair for the dramatic.

### Georgios Tsakiris, U18 Panathinaikos Athens

[Georgios Tsakiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/georgios-angelos-tsakiris/013072/) is playing in the NextGen for a second time after he tallied 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds at the Paris event last season. The 1.89-meter guard has not played for Greece at the national team level. He shows a lot of hustle and is a good shooter and defender. He still needs to work on his ball handling and is not overly athletic.

### Omer Ziyaettin, U18 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

[Omer Ziyaettin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/omer-ziyaettin/013414/) will be playing in his first NextGen event and will be a year younger than much of the competition. The 1.88-guard debuted in the Turkish League last season at just 15, appearing in eight games and tallying 2.6 points in 4 minutes per game. The combo guard this season has averaged 15.5 points while shooting 61 percent on three-pointers to go with 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.0 steals in the Turkish U19 league. The lefty guard is an outstanding shooter, both off the dribble and in spot-up situations. He has a very high basketball IQ and is considered to be a great leader. Ziyaettin has a strong drive to his left which is helped because of his shooting threat - also with the pull-up. The youngster still needs to work on over-dribbling at times and a lack of athleticism.

Here are eight top talents to keep an eye on at the NextGen EuroLeague Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul

adidas NextGen EuroLeague, formerly the Euroleague Basketball adidas Next Generation Tournament, is pleased to get its first qualifying tournament underway later this month in Istanbul, Turkiye. The first qualifying round is scheduled to take place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, with former adidas athlete Dogus Balbay spearheading the NextGen Team as head coach.

adidas NextGen Team Announces New Coach Ahead of NextGen EuroLeague Qualifiers

adidas NextGen EuroLeague, formerly the Euroleague Basketball adidas Next Generation Tournament, is pleased to get its first qualifying tournament underway later this month in Istanbul, Turkiye. The first qualifying round is scheduled to take place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, with former adidas athlete Dogus Balbay spearheading the Next Gen Team as head coach.

A former captain of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, who lifted the 2021 and 2022 EuroLeague championships, Balbay follows in the footsteps of Vassilis Spanoulis, now head coach of the Greek men's national team, and Petteri Koponen, now head coach of the New Zealand Breakers. Joining the coaching staff alongside Balbay will be former EuroLeague player Dusko Savanovic and esteemed coach Ozan Havuzlu, who previously led the Turkish U16 men’s national team.

Now entering its 23rd edition, adidas NextGen EuroLeague will feature top U18 teams from 11 countries competing across four qualifying events. The competition provides a platform for up to 48 additional clubs to showcase their talent, while also offering former EuroLeague players the opportunity to transition into coaching roles. This year will mark adidas’ fourth season sponsoring the NextGen team.

The first qualifying round in Istanbul, hosted by Bahcesehir College Istanbul, will be followed by competitions in Munich from January 17 to 19, 2025, hosted by FC Bayern Munich; Ulm, from February 7 to 9, 2025, hosted by ratiopharm Ulm; and Belgrade from March 7 to 9, 2025, hosted by Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

“I’m excited to step into this role and help guide a new generation of talent. It’s a big honor to have the chance to mentor these young athletes and prepare them for the next level, both on and off the court,” said Balbay. “I will try to be a resource for them to elevate their skills and embrace a winning mentality. It’s important to help them realize what it takes to compete at a high level, both mentally and physically.”

The following players are slated to compete in the first qualifying round of the adidas NextGen EuroLeague 2025 in Istanbul:

- **Christopher Ebunangombe** (France)
- **Dominique Fisher** (Spain/USA)
- **Gerard Fernandez** (Spain)
- **Lucas Sanchez** (Spain)
- **Maxence Lemoine** (France)
- **Stratos Papastavrou** (Greece)
- **Louka Letailleur** (France)
- **Djordje Djukanovic** (Montenegro)
- **Jahel Trefle** (France)
- **Daniil Stolbetskiy** (Russia)
- **Roman Avdejev** (Estonia)
- **Rrezon Elezay** (Turkiye)

The team has named Dogus Balbay as head coach and announces first official roster for Istanbul tournament

The newly rebranded Adidas NextGen EuroLeague (formerly known as the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament) has a new look and new feel to it, and now the identities of the 28 Under-18 programs to compete in the 23rd edition of the competition can be revealed. 

28 top U18 programs to compete in 2025 NextGen EuroLeague Qualifiers

The newly rebranded Adidas NextGen EuroLeague (formerly known as the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament) has a new look and new feel to it, and now the identities of the 28 Under-18 programs to compete in the 23rd edition of the competition can be revealed. 

 

Clubs and academies representing 12 different countries will take part in four different three-day qualifying events in the hunt to be crowned the junior club kings of Europe. Some 24 of the teams return from last season. Fifteen teams are the junior sections of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague clubs, nine are from BKT EuroCup clubs, four were specially invited and each of the four qualifying events will also feature one Next Generation Team. 

 

The NextGen EuroLeague qualifying season will begin in Istanbul with a qualifying tournament on Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 1. NextGen EuroLeague newcomer Bahcesehir College Istanbul will be this qualifying event's host. The weekend will also feature fellow Turkish sides Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Italy's Umana Reyer Venice, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens of Greece, Serbia's Mega MIS Belgrade, Spain's Gran Canaria and NGT Istanbul. 

 

Qualifying will continue in Germany in early 2025 when FC Bayern Munich serves as the host of the second event, set to run on the weekend of January 17-19. Aris Midea Thessaloniki of Greece, Virtus Segafredo Bologna of Italy, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia, Real Madrid and Valencia Basket of Spain, SC Derby Podgorica of Montenegro and NGT Munich.      

 

Another German town, Ulm, will be the site of the third event on February 7-9 with ratiopharm Ulm as the host. Germany's ALBA Berlin, Lithuania's Zalgiris Kaunas, Greece's Olympiacos Piraeus, Spain's FC Barcelona, the United Arab Emirates's Dubai Falcons Basketball Academy, France's LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and NGT Ulm complete the list for the Ulm qualifier.

 

The capital of Serbia will be the home of the fourth and final qualifier, hosted by Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, on March 7-9. Joining Zvezda will be Partizan Belgrade of Serbia, Joventut Badalona of Spain, Dolomiti Energia Trento and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan of Italy, Pole France INSEP Paris of France, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv of Israel and NGT Belgrade.

 

These teams will clash to be the last one standing when the continental junior club champion is crowned in the spring in a finals phase to be held in parallel with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

Teams from 11 different countries will play in four qualifying events

The 2024-25 edition of Europe’s premier U18  basketball competition will debut with a fresh name, look, and feel. The newly rebranded Adidas NextGen Euroleague (formerly known as the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament) will mark its 23rd edition

Rebranded Adidas NextGen Euroleague to land in Germany, Turkiye and Serbia

The 2024-25 edition of Europe’s premier U18  basketball competition will debut with a fresh name, look, and feel. The newly rebranded Adidas NextGen EuroLeague (formerly known as the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament) will mark its 23rd edition. With a new name and logo, it aims to strengthen its connection to the Euroleague Basketball ecosystem and highlight its status as the premier platform for emerging talent in Europe, serving as a natural pathway for future pan-European stars.

The NextGen will debut in Istanbul in late November, then it is the turn of German cities Munich and Ulm in mid-January and early February, respectively, before the fourth and final qualifier is held in Belgrade. This will be the 17th year in a row that Belgrade has acted as the host for an NextGen Qualifier.

There have been no changes to the format, so the winner of each Qualifying Tournament will advance to the finals, which will be held on the same weekend – and in the same city – as the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

During each tournament, the Next Generation Team will be present, with this squad made up of young stars from clubs not affiliated with other NextGen sides. Like last year, the Next Generation Select Team will not take part in the eight-team Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals.  

This year’s first Qualifying Tournament will be held between November 29 and December 1, 2024, in Istanbul, with Bahcesehir College Istanbul acting as the host club. The action will take place at the newly renovated Basketball Development Center in the Turkish city. 

The next club to act as the event host is FC Bayern Munich, with the Munich edition of the Qualifying tournaments taking place between January 17 and 19, 2025. This tournament will be held at BMW Park, Bayern’s former home, and will feature an LED floor. 

Staying in Germany, ratiopharm Ulm – a club renowned around the world for young talent – will host the third NextGen Qualifying Tournament between February 7 and 9, 2025. These games will be played at the club’s Orange Campus. 

Last but not least, the Serbian capital of Belgrade will welcome the teams competing in the fourth Qualifier, with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade serving as the host club. Between March 7 and 9, 2025, this edition of the NextGen Qualifying Tournament will be played at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. 

This season marks the 23rd edition of the NextGen. Some of the biggest names in basketball have passed through the competition, including future stars such as Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, Kristaps Porzingis, Domantas Sabonis, Milos Teodosic, Vasilije Micic, Nikola Mirotic, Donatas Motiejunas, Dario Saric, Jonas Valanciunas, Omri Casspi, Luigi Datome and Goga Bitadze, among others. 

This season will be the 23rd edition of the tournament 

Rebranded Adidas NextGen EuroLeague to land in Germany, Turkiye and Serbia 

In his final ANGT appearance, Luka Doncic inspired U18 Real Madrid to the title and received the ANGT MVP award.

When Luka Doncic earned MVP honors in his final ANGT game

These days, [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/) is known right around the world for leading Real Madrid to a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship and starring for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. But back in the 2014-15 season, European basketball fans got their first glimpse of Luka magic when he was playing for *Los Blancos* in the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament.

Doncic’s first ANGT appearance came at the U18 Hospitalet event at the age of 15 years, 10 months and seven days old, with the U18 Real Madrid forward finishing with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double to go with 1 assist and 1 steal [in a dominant 38-69 win over U18 CB L’Hospitalet on January 4, 2015](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2014-15/u18-cb-l-hospitalet-u18-real-madrid/JT14/17/#boxscore). The U18 Real squad went on to win that qualifying tournament, [beating archrival U18 FC Barcelona 87-55 in the final](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2014-15/u18-real-madrid-u18-fc-barcelona/JT14/33/#boxscore), with Doncic scoring 17 points.

His ninth and final ANGT appearance came on the weekend of the 2015 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Madrid, Spain, as reigning champion U18 Real looked to defend its title. There was already plenty of noise around Doncic and he was certainly delivering the goods. Aged 16 years, two months and 19 days on the day of the ANGT final against U18 Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, Doncic played 34:41 minutes and recorded a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double, in addition to dishing 5 assists, making 1 steal and blocking 1 shot. [U18 Real ended up coming out on top, 73-70](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2014-15/u18-real-madrid-u18-crvena-zvezda-telekom-belgrade/JT14/78/#boxscore), meaning that Doncic secured the first major trophy of his fledgling career. He earned ANGT MVP honors, too.

Rare Luka Dončić game footage aged 16

The following season, 2015-16, Doncic would make his EuroLeague debut for Real’s senior side aged 16 years, seven months and 18 days old on the road at Khimki Moscow Region in Round 1. He played 12 games that season, including twice in the playoffs, before establishing himself as a key member in *Los Blancos*’ rotation in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns. His final EuroLeague season ended just like his ANGT career did – with the MVP award and championship trophy under his arm.

More Luka Doncic News

Luka Doncic (right) hugs Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (left) after helping the U18 Real Madrid team win the 2015 Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament championship.

He played nine games in Euroleague Basketball’s junior tournament

Bostjan Nachbar and Igor Rakocevic were among the speakers at the closed event

Europe’s next generation of prospects learned on and off-court lessons from past stars

The Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals is more than just a competition to determine who will be crowned the champion of European youth basketball. The event at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four also features an EB ANGT Educational Session in which the best young players on the continent receive important life lessons both on and off the court from long-time veteran players in the European game.

Euroleague Players Association (ELPA) Managing Director and former NBA and EuroLeague star Bostjan Nachbar, three-time EuroLeague top-scorer Igor Rakocevic and the Euroleague’s chief medical officer Dr. Ignacio Muro addressed the players from the eight participating ANGT clubs about some of the issues they will face in the coming years and how to best deal with them.

Muro mainly talked about how youngsters should take care of their bodies if they hope to have a long playing career. Among the topics the two former stars discussed were making the most of their careers; dealing with teammates; how to transition from junior to senior level basketball; and how to improve the players’ shooting.

“My message was to use everything to the full. It might sound like a cliché but it is true. Looking back on your career, there are so many times when you think: 'What if I did that differently?' 'What if I tried that?' Don’t think that a career lasts forever because it doesn’t. Use every day to the max. It goes by fast. You don’t want to be in a situation where you look back and you think you didn't do everything you could have with your talent,” said Nachbar, who has participated as a speaker at the Educational Session now for several years.

Rakocevic was also a repeat participant in the Educational Session.

“My biggest message to the young guys is that they cannot forget about education and school because unfortunately many of the kids here who are 15 to 18 years old will not live from the money they earn playing basketball. It is very important to be very well educated, go to a college or university and then if you have basketball on top then it is even better,” he said.

From a basketball standpoint, Rakocevic added: "You have to prepare your body and mind so you can give yourself the best possible chance to perform. Kids nowadays are not doing that because they are spending too much time on their phones and not paying enough attention to their body signals. This is one of the things you can do to prepare yourself to perform better.”

The former stars’ messages were well-received by the players. 

When asked what advice most impacted him, Parker Robinson of U18 Overtime Elite said: “Definitely to have something outside of basketball - to kind of de-connect from basketball after practice is over. I feel that is a big part of the game nowadays. People are so focused on basketball that when their careers are over, they don’t know how to handle it. So preparing for the end of your career would help.” 

Hugo Yimga Moukouri of U18 PFBB INSEP Paris was very appreciative of listening to Nachbar and Rakocevic. 

“We had a great opportunity to learn from two players who had long careers. I learned that it is very hard to have a basketball career. You have to work hard every day - even if you are tired. Listening to them and hearing their messages is very motivating for me,” Yimga Moukouri said. 

And U18 ratiopharm Ulm’s Jervis Scheffs was thankful to hear the tips about player health. 

“The most important thing for me was to hear about taking care of your body, how to have a long career. I want to have moments like this for a long time. I am still young and the journey is long,” the German wing said.