Ask Luigi Suigo who his inspiration was growing up and you might be surprised with his answer – the U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan big man was a major fan of James Harden. Fast-forward to 2025 and Suigo will be one of the top stars at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals, where Milan is a dark horse title contender. 

Milan big man Luigi Suigo grew up idolizing James Harden

Ask [Luigi Suigo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/luigi-suigo/012116/) who his inspiration was growing up and you might be surprised with his answer – the [U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/jmi/) big man was a major fan of James Harden. Fast-forward to 2025 and Suigo will be one of the top stars at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals, where Milan is a dark horse title contender. 

Suigo has seen a dramatic rise in his game in the past year, helping Milan defend its title in the recent U19 Italian League championship. The 2.20-meter center was named to the All-Tournament Team with a dominant performance, including a triple-double of 13 points, 13 boards and 12 blocks in the semifinals against College Borgomanero.

That gives Suigo and Milan confidence heading to Abu Dhabi for the NextGen Finals. 

“The goal is always to play at our best and be in the top two, and I think we need to be aware that we can do it,” Suigo told David Hein of the NextGen EuroLeague's website. 

The native of Tradate in the Varese province seems to be making up for lost time this season. In February, he was named the Most Valuable Player as Milan repeated its crown at the U19 Next Gen Cup. 

“I think we always had something more than the other teams and also the fact that I improved a lot helped me to do well,” he said. 

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And then in March, he was a major contributor to Milan reaching the first place game of the NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade, where the Italian side lost 74-60 to U18 Pole France INSEP Paris. Suigo was in foul trouble throughout that game but still managed to finish with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

“I remember that from the beginning we approached the game with fear of not being strong enough, which unfortunately limited us in staying in the game and falling behind by a lot,” said the big man, who averaged 12.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks during the tournament.

“The main thing I think we have understood is don't be afraid of anyone. We know the team we are and our capabilities and whatever team we are against we have to give our best.”

It shouldn’t a surprise any time Suigo flashes a smile when he is on the court. After all, he dealt with a heel problem that did not allow him to play team basketball for five years, from age seven to 12. During that time, he practiced Harden’s famous step-back shot.   

“Not being able to play was frustrating honestly because I've always loved basketball and not being able to play it made me sad for a while,” he admitted. And about Harden, he added: “I've always been fascinated by how he was unguardable from every point of view.”

Suigo moved to Varese shortly after playing again and then, in 2022 at age 15, he joined Milan to help improve his game. The improvement was steady and impressive and by early 2024, Milan gave Suigo a special present on January 28 – one day before his 17th birthday – by allowing him to make his Italian League debut. He even scored his first points in 2 minutes against Sassari on a buzzer beater.  

“It was a beautiful and unexpected moment that I will always carry with me,” he said. 

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Suigo’s 2024 included another major highlight, playing for Italy at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 in Türkiye. The team lost its first two games but rallied to make history and reach the final for its first-ever U17 medal. 

“We started out a bit tense I remember but after the two defeats we understood that we couldn't continue like this and we cleared our heads all together. From there, the rest is history,” said Suigo, who contributed 7.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in his first tournament for Italy. 

Italy could not handle the United States in the first half of the final, trailing 73-36 at halftime. But Italy tied the third quarter and only lost the fourth by four points – against a USA team stacked with future superstars like Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Koa Peat, Tyran Stokes and so on.

“The most substantial difference was the athletic part and their bodies. But speaking from the technical side, I think that we were also on par with them,” the big man said. 

With two Italian youth titles already locked up this season, Suigo and co. are ready for what awaits in Abu Dhabi, where Milan have been placed into Group A along with 2022 continental champion U18 Mega Super Belgrade, U18 Dubai Basketball and 2016 NextGen winner U18 FC Barcelona.

“The main thing I think we have understood is don't be afraid of anyone. We know the team we are and our capabilities and whatever team we are against we have to give our best,” he said.

Suigo now intends to take his next step towards being an inspiration for other young Italians. 

The 18-year-old is ready to make a big impression at the NextGen EuroLeague Finals

U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v U18 Mega Super  Belgrade (2025-05-22T08:15:00.000Z)

U18 FC Barcelona v U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2025-05-23T08:15:00.000Z)

U18 Dubai Basketball v U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2025-05-24T06:00:00.000Z)

Don’t miss your chance to see the brightest prospects in European basketball when the 2025 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals land in Abu Dhabi. Between May 22 and 25, the 22nd edition of the NextGen Finals will take place as eight teams come together with one goal in mind: becoming the champion.

Tickets for 2025 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals Abu Dhabi now on sale

Don’t miss your chance to see the brightest prospects in European basketball when the 2025 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals land in Abu Dhabi. Between May 22 and 25, the 22nd edition of the NextGen Finals will take place as eight teams come together with one goal in mind: becoming the champion.

Tickets [can now be purchased here](https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/99199/2025-adidas-nextgen-euroleague-finals-abu-dhabi) or at [www.f4tickets.com](http://www.f4tickets.com). Day tickets are available from AED 60, while you can get a four-day pass for the entire tournament for AED 160. Scout packages are also on offer, which includes a series of benefits for international scouts.

The NextGen Finals, the world's premier club-based junior basketball event, will feature eight elite teams divided into two groups:

- Group A: Mega Super Belgrade, FC Barcelona, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Dubai Basketball
- Group B: Pole France INSEP Paris, Real Madrid, Zalgiris Kaunas and Overtime Elite

There will be 12 group-stage games that take place over the first three days [– from Thursday, May 22, to Saturday, May 24](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/2024-25-nextgen-finals-teams-and-calendar-announced/) – will be played at the Mubadala Arena, where Sunday’s championship game between the two group winners will also be held.

See the full game schedule below:

U18 Dubai Basketball v U18 FC Barcelona (2025-05-22T06:00:00.000Z)

U18 Pole France INSEP Paris v U18 Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-05-22T10:30:00.000Z)

U18 Real Madrid v U18 Overtime Elite (2025-05-22T12:45:00.000Z)

It almost seemed like Taylen Kinney couldn’t help himself from saying it. His catchphrase. The two numbers that turned the talented Overtime Elite point guard into a certified social media sensation.

Two numbers turn OTE star guard Taylen Kinney into social media star

It almost seemed like Taylen Kinney couldn’t help himself from saying it. His catchphrase. The two numbers that turned the talented Overtime Elite point guard into a certified social media sensation.

The 17-year-old was asked how much older his basketball-playing brothers were than him, and there he goes: “They’re about 6-7 years older than me.” Rocking his hands back and forth as followers of his have seen millions of times.

That’s because over the course of his first season at OTE, Kinney jumped from about 60 thousand followers on social media platforms to over 1 million. One mention of “6-7” after the next. Even young children wanting to give their best impression of his “6-7”.

Looking back on the sudden surge in popularity, Kinney admits: “I got lost in it throughout the season because it was so much. For me as a kid, I just wanted to play basketball. I just happened to say two numbers and blew up. It’s crazy.”

He continued: “I felt like there was a lot of pressure on me. All of the kids hyping me up and stuff. I wasn’t expecting all this stuff to happen. I was just a kid.”

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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It wasn’t like Kinney didn’t have the game to back up the brighter spotlight.

The lightning quick, strong ball-handling playmaker was selected to participate last summer at the Adidas Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy, where former NBA veteran star Jason Terry was his coach and James Harden was also on hand.

“I learned a lot playing against pros and older guys,” he said. “It was great having coaches with a lot of experience and they could talk about their time in the league \[the NBA\].”

Just more than a week later, Kinney answered the call from USA Basketball for the first time, participating in the training camp for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. And he got to go up against some of the best young stars in the country such as AJ Dybantsa, the Boozer twin brothers Cameron and Cayden, as well Koa Peat, Tyran Stokes and others.

“It was fun going against those guys,” Kinney said. And when asked what he learned, he added: “In order to be great you gotta be vocal, gotta be perfect in all aspects of the game, defense, offense, teammates, leader.”

Kinney ended up not making the final team that went to Istanbul last summer and stormed to the title. But he stored it in his memory bank.

“It motivated me a lot. But it showed me to just keep working and working and make the next team.”

<center>
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Kinney then in September was chosen as the number one pick in the first-year player draft at OTE for the 2024-25 season. And in the end, “TK” – as he is more commonly known – was a finalist for OTE’s Most Valuable Player of the season.

OTE is a big jump up for Kinney, who helped the Newport Wildcats to back-to-back ninth regional title in 2023 and 2024. He mentioned the level of competition as the main reason for leaving the Kentucky high school for OTE.

“I wanted to get to the NBA and I just thought it would help me a lot playing against those top guys every day,” he said.

Kinney also valued greatly how much access he had to the OTE gyms in Atlanta and the coaching staff and trainers in the program.

Another precious opportunity OTE provides is to travel to Abu Dhabi for the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals – the second time the organization is competing in the competition.

When asked what he expects from the event, Kinney answered: “Good players, very tough competition. Playing against players I don’t usually get to play against – guys who are not in the mix in the States.”

And while Kinney has not made his way to Abu Dhabi yet, he shouldn’t be shocked if there are kids there who already know his signature saying and you hear the odd youngster call out to him: “6-7”.

He has the game – and catchphrase – of an internet sensation (PHOTO: Overtime Elite)

U18 Overtime Elite v U18 Pole France INSEP Paris (2025-05-23T12:45:00.000Z)

U18 Zalgiris Kaunas v U18 Overtime Elite (2025-05-24T12:45:00.000Z)

The saying goes: In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. But in order for that to happen, you first have to see and face the best. And U18 Dubai Basketball believes facing Europe’s best teams at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals will serve as an inspiration for the country’s future generations. 

NextGen Finals to inspire future generations in United Arab Emirates

The saying goes: In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. But in order for that to happen, you first have to see and face the best. And [U18 Dubai Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-dubai-basketball/jdu/) believes facing Europe’s best teams at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals will serve as an inspiration for the country’s future generations.

Dubai received one of the wild cards for the NextGen EuroLeague Finals after it participated in the competition for the second straight season. And Petros Krasopoulos, the general manager of Dubai Basketball’s youth program, is thrilled to give his youngsters and the emerging basketball community in Abu Dhabi – and the rest of the United Arab Emirates – a chance to witness some of the best players on the globe.

“For the kids coming through Dubai Basketball’s academy and other young players across the UAE, seeing a team from Dubai competing in the NextGen EuroLeague has been a massive source of inspiration,” said Krasopoulos, a Greek native who has been with the club since 2015. “It makes professional basketball an achievable feat – highlighting that there’s a clear pathway from playing the game here locally to stepping onto the court against some of the biggest youth teams in Europe.

“Being selected for the NextGen Finals is a historic milestone for UAE youth basketball and a unique opportunity for Dubai Basketball to gain valuable experience, especially for our top talents born in 2010.”

The country in general will experience a landmark moment in the next couple of weeks, with the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four taking place between May 23 and 25, while the NextGen Finals will be played between May 22 and May 25.

“Having both the EuroLeague Final Four and the NextGen Finals in Abu Dhabi puts the country firmly on the global basketball map. For fans here, it’s a rare chance to witness the highest level of the game live. And for young players, it shows them what’s possible,” Krasopoulos said.

"For Dubai specifically, it brings attention to what’s already happening here with Dubai Basketball, and hopefully it inspires more people to engage with the sport – whether that’s by picking up a ball or coming to support our team. It all feeds into the bigger goal of building a lasting basketball culture in the region.”

Dubai Basketball’s official youth program, The Falcons Academy, has been operational for over a decade now and has been a major contributor to the success of Dubai Basketball. Starting with just three students in 2014, the academy now consists of 500 youngsters aged 3 to 18, indicating the momentum of the sport in the Middle East.

“We are determined to build a passion for basketball from within the community, instilling a love for the sport from a young age,” said Krasopoulos, who moved into the position of the club’s sports director and coached the U18 team the last two years.

“The UAE is on track to being a global hub for basketball, and Dubai Basketball is a key contributor to the cause. We still have a long way to go to support and build a culture of basketball in the country, but the response we have been receiving from the public has been nothing but resoundingly positive.”

The Falcons Academy comprises mostly of expats, just like the population of the country. But Krasopoulos and the other leaders of the club are working to change that.

“We are tasked with the job of inciting an interest in basketball with the local population, and this begins at a grassroots level,” he said. “We’re laying the structure now to ensure Emirate talent is a strong part of our future.”

In addition to the NextGen EuroLeague Ulm event, the club’s youth team has been competing this season in the U19 ABA League against the best teams from the Adriatic region and domestic leagues such as the Dubai Open Basketball Academy and Ball Above All. And the youth team will also compete starting in 2026 as Dubai Basketball in the UAE National League.

This was actually the second time the club participated in the NextGen EuroLeague, having previously hosted one of the qualifiers in the 2023-24 season. And the academy actually picked up a victory, beating eventual first-place finisher U18 ratiopharm Ulm 80-73.

Krasopoulos knows his young team will face a major test in the NextGen Finals as they are in Group A along with 2022 continental champion [U18 Mega Super Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-mega-super--belgrade/jmv/), the 2016 winner [U18 FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-fc-barcelona/jba/) and Italian powerhouse [U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/jmi/).

“Milan, Mega and Barcelona are great teams and represent countries that have a legacy of producing amazing talent. The teams have proved their level over the years and bring to Abu Dhabi a great deal of experience. We anticipate some tough games, but we are prepared and look forward to some great competition and proving the level we bring here at Dubai Basketball,” Krasopoulos said.

The fans in Dubai have seen some pretty high quality basketball at the senior level this season as Dubai Basketball is competing for the first time in the ABA League, a competition which includes EuroLeague teams Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, BKT EuroCup clubs Buducnost VOLI Podgorica and Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, as well as strong sides such as SC Derby Podgorica, KK Igokea and Mega Super Belgrade.

Dubai finished the ABA League regular season with an impressive 25-5 record, including a 13-2 mark at home, after Jurica Golemac's squad went on a 13-game winning streak to lock up the third seed entering the playoffs. After Game 1 of the playoffs, Dubai holds a 1-0 lead in its series with Cedevita Olimpija.

“It’s huge for us. Having these elite teams from the ABA League come to Dubai is a massive step, not just for our club, but for the basketball scene here as a whole. We're talking about some of the most respected teams in European basketball – with strong legacies, passionate fanbases, and world-class talent,” Krasopoulos said.

“For our players, it’s an opportunity to measure themselves against the best. And for the fans, it’s a chance to experience top-tier basketball up close, maybe for the first time. It raises the bar and puts Dubai Basketball in the spotlight. It reinforces what we’re trying to build – a team that belongs on an international stage. This kind of exposure is only going to help us reach more fans around the world and inspire the next generation to get involved.”

And the EuroLeague Final Four and NextGen Finals will also do their part in terms of inspiration.

Abu Dhabi will become the center of the basketball world for the EuroLeague Final Four and NextGen Finals

U18 Mega Super  Belgrade v U18 Dubai Basketball (2025-05-23T06:00:00.000Z)

Dovydas Buika, who has broken into the first team of Zalgiris Kaunas this season, is ready to shine at the 2025 NextGen EuroLeague Finals.

Individual training with EuroLeague vet Seibutis helps Buika become star of own movie

There were 2:30 minutes left in Zalgiris Kaunas’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague home game against ALBA Berlin in Round 25 when it was time for [Dovydas Buika](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/buika-dovydas/011330/)’s moment. Time for the 18-year-old talent to make his EuroLeague debut – and receive the confirmation of all the work he has been putting in.

Buika will never forget February 4 when he entered that game at Zalgirio Arena and ended his first EuroLeague appearance with one missed three-pointer, 1 assist and 1 steal. 

“I feel amazing, a dream come true. I was close to tears,” Buika was quoted on social media after the game.

“I vividly remember the EuroLeague debut to this day. It felt like being in a movie, having the chance to step on the court in front of 15,000+ home fans was truly unforgettable experience,” he told the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague website. 

Two days earlier, Buika had actually made his Lithuanian League debut against BKT EuroCup side Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius. He has since played in another EuroLeague game as well as amassing six appearances in the Lithuanian LKL, practicing with the pro team almost every day.

“The biggest thing I learned is that you have to be a team player, and you have to sacrifice your own priorities for the team’s needs,” said Buika, who is averaging 3.7 points in 11 minutes in Lithuania’s top flight.

“If the team needs you to go out there for a few seconds and make a foul, you have to do it, because it helps the team to win the game. Every single guy on the team has to have the same mindset and only then the team can succeed.”

<center>
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Buika says he has been helped by all of Zalgiris’s pro players, adding: “They are always there to help if you have questions, and they try to mentor me as much as possible, which I am really grateful for.”

But it’s actually been former Zalgiris player and long-time Lithuanian international [Renaldas Seibutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/renaldas-seibutis/kno/) who Buika gives the most credit for his recent improvement. 

“I’ve been training individually with him in the regular season every week. He helped me to work on my game a lot,” Buika said of Seibutis, who played 97 EuroLeague games for Olympiacos Piraeus, Rytas Vilnius and Zalgiris and played at two Olympics, three FIBA World Cups and two FIBA EuroBasket tournaments. 

Buika also said playing for Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri has been very rewarding.

“Coach Trinchieri has a really deep understanding of the game. He sees the things on the basketball court from the angles that are hard to comprehend and he demands effort, selflessness and thinking on the court,” he said. 

“Playing for him you have to give it your all on the court all the time; and you have to enjoy the game, play with the flow, add your own touch to the game without being robotic.”

Buika is thrilled that he will have a chance to show the world what he can do on the big youth stage now that [U18 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-zalgiris-kaunas/jza/) received a wild card for [the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/2024-25-nextgen-finals-teams-and-calendar-announced/) later this month in Abu Dhabi.

“When I found out that we got the wildcard to this year’s Finals I was extremely happy, especially after not getting it last year,” he said. “It is another great opportunity and an honor to showcase our team and our organization in such a tournament."

Zalgiris was given the wild card after finishing second at the NextGen EuroLeague Ulm tournament, losing 91-89 to U18 FC Barcelona in the first-place game. Buika was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 20.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals for an average performance index rating of 22.2. 

“I remember the loss to Barcelona like it was yesterday. That game was a very intense battle between two really good teams and I believe that in the end the luck wasn’t really on our side,” said Buika, who collected 26 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists for a PIR of 30.

“We learned that we have to stay focused and ready for 40 minutes straight without relaxing and that we have to fight for every loose ball until the very end. Of course, losing the first place game adds extra motivation for Abu Dhabi and we will go there with clear intentions to win,” Buika said. 

Zalgiris is one of six clubs with two NextGen titles (2003 and 2007) and also played in three NextGen Championship Games (2005, 2006 and 2011). 

“I believe that the Zalgiris organization is one of the best youth systems in all of Europe, and the two championships prove exactly that,” Buika said. “Our team will give it our all, go into every game like it’s the final and try to add one more trophy to the two we have already brought home. To do that we will need to support each other all the time. It doesn’t matter how tough things get, and we will have to leave it all on the court.”

These lessons have been pivotal in Dovydas Buika's journey as he made his dream come true by debuting in the EuroLeague.

Dovydas Buika will be one of the leaders for U18 Zalgiris Kaunas at the NextGen Finals

Real Madrid's Declan Duru: 'Three-peat is more than a title. It’s a legacy'

U18 Real Madrid will be entering the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals with a chance at history. *Los Blancos* can become the first team in nearly 20 years of the competition to complete a three-peat. Declan Duru knows the team cannot expect any advantage because of its successful past but it would be an unforgettable moment for the star forward and the team.

Duru helped Real win last year’s NextGen title, bringing the club’s total to a record five trophies. The German admits that he will never forget last season’s NextGen Championship Game - a thrilling 85-84 overtime win over U18 PFBB INSEP Paris in Berlin.

“That game will stay with me forever. It was intense, emotional and physically exhausting - everything a final should be,” said Duru, who contributed 3 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in the win, including a spectacular put-back dunk and one with 34 seconds left in overtime.

“We knew how strong INSEP was, and taking it to overtime just showed how closely matched we were. The energy in Berlin was absolutely unreal, and winning in such a thrilling way made it an experience I'll never forget.”

"I knew I had to step up. It’s been a big responsibility, but also a great opportunity for me to grow."

Duru is one of six players from this year’s squad who were in the championship game, but the team lost much of its firepower and leadership with the generational graduation of the likes of Hugo Gonzalez, Egor Demin, Ismaila Diagne and Mitar Bosnjakovic.

“It was definitely a big shift. Those guys were more than just talented players, they were leaders - both on and off the court. Their absence created a space that needed to be filled and I knew I had to step up. It’s been a big responsibility, but also a great opportunity for me to grow,” Duru said.

The forward averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds at the NextGen EuroLeague Munich, but it was not enough to book an automatic ticket to the NextGen Finals. Real lost to U18 Next Gen Team Munich in the final group game to snap its streak of consecutive qualifying tournament first place finishes at 11. And it meant Real was reliant on a wild card to have a chance to defend their title in Abu Dhabi.

Declan Duru highlights - 2024 NextGen EuroLeague

Real will face a major test in Abu Dhabi, being put into Group B along with U18 Overtime Elite, U18 Zalgiris Kaunas and INSEP.

“It’s definitely a tough group where there’s no easy game. Overtime Elite brings a unique playing style, Zalgiris is always disciplined and efficient, and INSEP… well, we know exactly how dangerous they can be,” said Duru. “But this kind of competition pushes us to be at our best from the very first game, and that’s exactly what we want.”

The highlight of the group schedule is the showdown between Real and INSEP. A number of players on both teams were in last year’s championship game and the French side - itself a two-time U18 continental champion - will be out for revenge.

“That game is going to be intense. It might be a sense of unfinished business from their side, and we’re aware of that,” Duru said.

"It’s not about defending the past. It’s about earning it all over again."

Duru insists he and his teammates will not be thinking about previous games or previous tournament results.

“For us, it’s not about defending the past. It’s about earning it all over again. It’ll be emotional and physical, but I trust our preparation and mentality,” he said.

Should Real overcome the group and then prevail in the championship game on May 25, the team would increase its record to six NextGen crowns. And the club would match U18 CSKA Moscow as the only other team to three-peat. The Russians won the competition in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

“It would mean everything. To be part of a team that makes history is what you dream of as a kid. The three-peat is more than a title. It’s a legacy. We’re all motivated by that and we know what it would mean to the club, our coaches and everyone who’s helped us along the way. Although we all know too how difficult it is,” Duru said.

Real will already have played in the Spanish domestic junior championship before it heads to Abu Dhabi, meaning the NextGen EuroLeague games will be the final youth games for Duru.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The sequence of 𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔻𝕌ℕ𝕂 of the tournament😤<br><br>Declan Duru from <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> U18s over Ivan Kharchenkov🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AdidasNGT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AdidasNGT</a> <a href="https://t.co/757uowvDrk">https://t.co/757uowvDrk</a> <a href="https://t.co/i7yGGRBbG2">pic.twitter.com/i7yGGRBbG2</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1751928257031630859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It’s been an incredible journey. Moving to Spain at 13 wasn’t easy, but Real Madrid became home. I’ve grown so much not just as a player, but as a person. The coaches, teammates, and the entire organization helped shape who I am today. Whatever comes next, this chapter will always be special,” said Duru, who debuted with Real’s senior team in early November 2024 and then made his EuroLeague debut on November 12 against Vitrus Segafredo Bologna. 

This last junior season has been special for Duru because he has had fellow German Fabian Kayser alongside him.

“Having Fabian on the team has been great. We understand each other on a different level not just culturally, but in how we approach competition,” Duru said of the 2009-born talent who came to Real in the off-season. “I’ve seen how hard he works and how much he has developed this season. He has a bright future ahead, he is competitive, talented and grounded. I’m proud of him and excited to see where his path takes him.”

Duru hopes he can experience a first NextGen EuroLeague title with his compatriot and make history at the same time.

NextGen EuroLeague champ Duru knows Real Madrid faces a massive test for another title

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals will once again bring together the world's top U18 basketball talents as part of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four celebration, which will be held in Abu Dhabi this May

2024-25 NextGen Finals Teams and Calendar Announced

- Overtime Elite representing the USA and Dubai Basketball representing the Middle East to participate
- NextGen Finals to take place from May 22 to 25 in Abu Dhabi, alongside the EuroLeague Final Four

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals will once again bring together the world's top U18 basketball talents as part of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four celebration, which will be held in Abu Dhabi this May. This marks the second time a NextGen Tournament is hosted in the Middle East, following the successful 2023-24 Qualifier in Dubai. The NextGen Finals will be played at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, a premier sports complex known for hosting a wide range of sports events and activities.

The NextGen Finals, the world's premier club-based junior basketball event, will feature eight elite teams:

- Dubai Basketball
- EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- FC Barcelona (Winner of NextGen Ulm)
- Mega SuperBet Belgrade (Winner of NextGen Istanbul)
- Overtime Elite
- Pole France INSEP Paris (Winner of NextGen Belgrade)
- Real Madrid
- Zalgiris Kaunas

This marks the second consecutive year an Overtime Elite representative will compete in the NextGen Finals. Overtime Elite, an elite U16 to U20 league, features many of the top young talents from the United States and beyond. The league, consisting of eight teams, recently completed its fourth season.

Dubai Basketball, a newly established project founded in 2024, has rapidly made its mark by securing participation in the ABA League. Their U18 team will represent the Middle East in its second consecutive NextGen Tournament appearance, following their role as hosts of a qualifier last season.

The eight teams will be divided into two groups:

- Group A: Mega SuperBet Belgrade, FC Barcelona, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Dubai Basketball
- Group B: Pole France INSEP Paris, Real Madrid, Zalgiris Kaunas and Overtime Elite

See the full game schedule below.

A combined total of nine U18 continental trophies have been won by the clubs participating in the NextGen Finals. Real Madrid enters as the reigning champion, having edged out INSEP by a single point (85-84) in last year’s final in Berlin. Real Madrid has claimed the title in 2023, 2015, 2019, and 2021, while INSEP was crowned champion in 2010 and 2017. Barcelona secured the European championship in 2016, and Mega won its first title in 2022.

Fans attending the NextGen Finals in Abu Dhabi or watching via the EuroLeague’s official YouTube channel will enjoy 12 group-stage games over the first three days (Thursday, May 22, to Saturday, May 24) at the Mubadala Arena. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, May 25, with the championship game between the two group winners.

Tickets for the NextGen Finals will be available for purchase during the following weeks.

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.

2024-25 NextGen Finals teams and calendar announced

Noa Kouakou values the joy of celebrating - like he did with U18 Pole France INSEP Paris at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade - but deeper inside the French forward is the motivation of two gut-wrenching losses on the biggest of stages in 2024.  

Hustler Kouakou turned gut-wrenching losses into motivation 

Noa Kouakou values the joy of celebrating - like he did with U18 Pole France INSEP Paris at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade - but deeper inside the French forward is the motivation of two gut-wrenching losses on the biggest of stages in 2024. 

Kouakou was a force at both ends of the court for INSEP in Belgrade as the two-time continental champion proved too much for U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the first-place game. The athletic and versatile forward collected 15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in the 74-60 victory and earned the Most Valuable Player award.

“It’s a team title - not just mine. If I am MVP, it’s because of my teammates. If they don’t pass me the ball I can’t score. It’s all the work of the team, not just mine,” said Kouakou, who averaged 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.8 blocks for the tournament.

“I am really happy for my team. And proud of myself for doing everything I could to help my team win. And that is what happened. We will just enjoy the moment and then focus on Abu Dhabi.”

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/noakkh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@noakkh</a> is the MVP of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NextGenEuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NextGenEuroLeague</a> qualifier in Belgrade 🇫🇷👏🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NextGenEuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NextGenEuroLeague</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/adidasBasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#adidasBasketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/HMPLVVrGOt">pic.twitter.com/HMPLVVrGOt</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1898848431797354914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And it is in the United Arab Emirates that Kouakou hopes to avenge one of the most bitter losses in his still young career. He is one of six INSEP players back from the team that lost 85-84 to U18 Real Madrid in an overtime thriller in the NextGen Championship Game last season in Berlin.

“I learned a lot of things. Real was a really, really good team. They played good basketball with a really high IQ. They had really good players. The game was really hard physically,” said Kouakou, who contributed 1 rebound in 6:09 minutes of action playing a year younger. “Last year I didn’t have the same role as this year. It taught me that you have to be really consistent the whole game.”

Kouakou then played with his own 2007-born generation last summer at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 in Istanbul, where France was considered a title challenger to the United States, which had never lost a game in the history of the cadet global competition with six undefeated championships.

France held tight with the USA in the first game of the tournament and lost 104-81 but then were surprised by China in the second game. A win over Guinea meant a Round of 16 matchup with Puerto Rico, who ended up shocking the French 91-84 to end the hopes of a rematch against the Americans in the Final. And Kouakou had visions of Real and Berlin all over again.

"The finals will be the real, real games. The real basketball, the real best players."

“It was really the same thing as Real Madrid. The fact that you have to be really consistent the whole game. The game is 40 minutes. It’s not 39 or 38. You have to play 40 minutes and give your whole body on the court,” said Kouakou, who contributed 1 point, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 block in 16 minutes against Puerto Rico.

“The energy that the bench can give us on the court is really important. We could have been better in this aspect than we were in Turkiye - bring more energy.”

Kouakou averaged 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16 minutes at the U17 World Cup last summer. But those two losses fueled him.

“It’s really extra motivation for me. I have never won a gold medal with the national team or a final tournament with the club. We won this tournament but it’s just a qualifier. The finals will be the real, real games. The real basketball, the real best players. It hurts me a lot to always lose, but I learned so much from those losses. It’s all a benefit for me for later.”

Kouakou has put that motivation into his work off the court. His Instagram profile includes the phrase “Hustler 69” and on one of his posts it says: “Hustlers don’t stop, they keep going”.

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The number represents France’s 69th department Lyon - Kouakou’s home city - and hustler, he says, is a mentality.

“Hustle hard every day. Reach your potential one percent more every day by giving your full potential every day. Don’t waste your time. Every day you have, improve yourself. Improve your weaknesses and try to be your best self,” Kouakou said.

The 2.08-meter forward also prides himself on his defense.

“Defense is a mentality. It’s the thing that makes you win the game. Without defense, you cannot win and you cannot be a complete player. You cannot be a very versatile player without defense. I really enjoy being able to defend every position from point guard to center. I try my best at that. It means a lot for me to get a stop and see my teammates enjoy the moment. It makes me happy,” he said.

INSEP head coach Francois Peronnet can see the work Kouakou has put in.

“He has energy at both sides of the court and on and off the court. He has improved a lot the last two seasons. Now he is more facing the basket. He can really move on the floor - both offensively and defensively. He can be an outside player. He still can improve but it’s great to have him on the team,” said Peronnet, who is spending his first season as INSEP head coach.

Koukoua has one more chance to win a NextGen EuroLeague crown, which would make hoisting the trophy in Abu Dhabi that much more special.

“It would mean a lot because it’s my last year at INSEP. I did my three years at INSEP and improved a lot. I respect all my coaches, shout out to them. It would mean a lot of things for me,  lots of emotion to play with those guys. I have known some of them for eight years. So it would really make me happy.”

And the hustler could finally call himself a champion.

Noa Kouakou was named the NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade MVP

Noa Kouakou will have special memories of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade as the forward guided U18 Pole France INSEP Paris to the title and he grabbed the Most Valuable Player award. 

Noa Kouakou collects MVP as INSEP reigns supreme in Belgrade 

[Noa Kouakou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/noa-kouakou-heugue/012430/) will have special memories of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade as the forward guided U18 Pole France INSEP Paris to the title and he grabbed the Most Valuable Player award.

Kouakou scored 15 points, including making 9 of 10 free throws, to go with 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal for a performance index rating of 21 in INSEP’s 74-60 victory over U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the first-place game. The forward’s performance helped the two-time U18 continental champion book its ticket to the NextGen Finals in Abu Dhabi.

Kouakou was joined on the All-Tournament Team by his INSEP teammate [Hugo Moukouri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/hugo-yimga-moukouri/012426/), Milan’s [Diego Garavaglia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/diego-garavaglia/012115/), U18 Next Gen Team Belgrade guard [Aaron Towo-Nansi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/aaron-towo-nansi/012847/) and [Ian Platteeuw](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/ian-platteeuw/012226/) from U18 Joventut Badalona.

Kouakou averaged 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 offensive boards and 2.5 assists for a 21.0 PIR at the tournament. He ranked third in PIR, sixth in points, fifth in total rebounds and sixth in offensive rebounds.

Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade All-Tournament Team

Noa Kouakou - U18 Pole France INSEP Paris

Hugo Moukouri - U18 Pole France INSEP Paris

Diego Garavaglia - U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Aaron Towo-Nansi - U18 Next Gen Team Belgrade

Ian Platteeuw - U18 Joventut Badalona

Moukori posted 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists for a PIR in the first-place game. Over four games, the forward averaged 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists for a 16.2 PIR. Moukouri was eighth in PIR, third in scoring and seventh in rebounds.

Garavaglia tried all he could in the first-place game for Milan but his 12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 13 PIR were not enough. Overall, the forward averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 steals to register a 17.5 PIR. He was seventh in PIR, sixth in assists and second in steals.

Towo-Nansi led the tournament in scoring (20.5 points), PIR (23.8) and steals (3.0) while also contributing 2.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He was fifth in assists. Towo-Nansi registered the fourth-highest PIR average in all the qualifying tournaments.

Plaateeuw averaged 16.2 points, 15.0 rebounds, 7.2 offensive rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals for a 21.5 PIR. He led the competition in rebounds and offensive rebounds, was second in PIR, fourth in scoring and third in assists. Plaateeuw had the most rebounds and offensive rebounds in the entire NextGen season.

The French forward takes the top individual honor in fourth NextGen EuroLeague qualifier 