### U18 FC Barcelona Lassa gets first-ever ANGT crown!

U18 FC Barcelona Lassa is the ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT champion! Barcelona won its first ANGT title by downing Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade 90-82 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in the German capital on Sunday afternoon to become the third Spanish team to win the tournament after Joventut Badalona in 2013 and Real Madrid last year. Barcelona used a very balanced offense to down Zvezda, which lost its second consecutive ANGT Championship Game. Eric Vila led the winners with 21 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting. Sergi Martinez added 17 points, Rodions Kurucs and Maxim Esteban each scored 14, Aleix Font 13 and Pol Figueras dished 10 assists for Barcelona. Aleksa Radanov led Zvezda with 23 points, Borisa Simanic added 19, Matija Radovic 18 and Ivan Corovic 11. Vila shined early with 10 quick points, which caused Zvezda call timeout at 18-7. He got plenty of help from Martinez and Font to boost Barcelona's lead to 29-11 late in the first quarter. Corovic and Simanic helped Zvezda to return to the game, before Radovic’s third triple brought the team within 42-41. Three-pointers by Vila and Esteban put Barcelona up 50-46 at halftime. Font and Martinez stepped up after the break as Barcelona improved its defense. A jumper by Esteban gave his team a 7-point edge through three quarters and an outstanding Kurucs boosted the difference to 87-72 en route to the win and title.

### [Game Info](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2015-16-berlin/u18-fc-barcelona-lassa-u18-crvena-zvezda-telekom-belgrade/JTF415/13/#boxscore)

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ANGT Final Highlights: U18 FC Barcelona Lassa 90-82 U18 Crvena Zvezda Belgrade

### First quarter: Vila shines, Barcelona gets big lead

Atoumane Diagne got Barcelona going with a jump hook and Vila erased Radovic's reverse layup with a jumper for a 4-2 start. Radanov scored around the basket, but Martinez finished a five-chance Barcelona offense with a put-back layup. A red-hot Vila struck from downtown and soon added a mid-range jumper to boost his team's lead to 12-4. Diagne made free throws to cap a 10-0 run, before Radovic stepped up with a triple. Diagne sank foul shots, which Vila followed with a stop-and-pop jumper for an 18-7 advantage. Font took over with a driving layup and Martinez scored in transition to make it a 15-point game. Aleksa Uskokovic split free throws and Corovic bettered Martinez's layup with a three-point play. Diagne dunked and a three-pointer by Esteban broke the game open at 29-11. Corovic kept pushing Zvezda but a layup by Kurucs and a buzzer-beating jumper by Font gave Barcelona a 33-17 lead after 10 minutes.

### Second quarter: Radanov leads Zvezda rally

Corovic scored in penetration early in the quarter and Radanov soon gave Zvezda hope at 33-21. Barcelona struggled to score without Diagne and Vila on court, while free throws by Uskokovic and layup by Barisa Simanic brought Zvezda within single digits, 33-25. Font stepped up with back-to-back driving basket and Simanic and Stefan Momirov quickly answered for Zvezda, which became more fluid on offense. Kurucs stepped up with a put-back layup, but Radanov erased it with foul shots and Simanic added a close jumper to make it 39-33. Barcelona switched to a 2-3 zone defense off a timeout, but Radovic punished it with a timeout. Esteban answered from downtown, but Uskokovic answered with a driving layup and Radovic sank another triple to make it a 1-point game. Esteban and Radanov exchanged three-pointers and Pol Figueras gave Barcelona a 47-44 lead. Vila swished a triple and free throws by Radanov fixed the halftime score at 50-46.

ANGT MVP: Borisa Simanic, U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade

### Third quarter: Barcelona holds on to lead

Radanov remained unstoppable with a driving basket immediately after the break. Font and Radovic exchanged three-pointers and a layup by Martinez gave Barcelona a 55-51 lead. Simanic made free throws, but Martinez worked well in the low post to score and Kurucs buried a triple from the top of the key, which prompted Zvezda to call timeout at 60-53. Font split free throws, as Zvezda kept struggling to score against Barcelona's aggressive, full-court defense. Radanov rescued his team with a three-point play, but Barcelona circulated the ball really well to find Vila for a big three-pointer and a 64-56 margin. Kurucs banked in a close shot, but Simanic and Uskokovic kept Zvezda within 66-59. Martinez shined with a reverse layup that Simanic matched with a big slam. Corovic also dunked, but Esteban matched it with a jumper to give Barcelona a 70-63 lead.

### Fourth quarter: Kurucs helps put the game on ice

Radanov scored again early in the quarter and Esteban buried a corner triple to boost his team's lead to 73-65. Figueras fed Martinez for a backdoor layup, but Radanov did better with a three-pointer. Kurucs shined with a big basket and bettered Simanic's jumper with a step-back triple that gave Barceona a double-digit lead, 80-70. An unstoppable Kurucs scored again, but a put-back basket by Radanov kept Zvezda alive. His team was not getting stops on defense, however, as Barcelona kept circulating the ball really well. Font hit a jump hook in the paint and Vila banked in a jumper that caused Zvezda to stop the game at 87-72 with 3:52 left. Simanic nailed a three-pointer, but Barcelona started to use longer possessions to run the game clock down. Martinez finished one of those with a reverse layup and even though Simanic buried another triple, Barcelona kept full control of the game until the final buzzer.

### 

ANGT Finals 2016 Berlin

Borisa Simanic of U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade has been selected as MVP of the 2016 Euroleague Basketball ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT Finals. 

U18 Crvena Zvezda forward Simanic named ANGT Finals MVP

Simanic helped guide Zvezda to the EB ANGT Championship Game for a third straight season by averaging 18 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.8 blocks. Simanic was chosen ANGT Finals MVP by the head coaches of the eight teams present in Berlin. The 18-year-old forward picked up 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in the final against U18 FC Barcelona Lassa, though it was not enough as Barcelona prevailed 90-82. The native of Ljubovija, Serbia, was also named as the MVP of the EB ANGT Qualifying Tournament - Marko Ivkovic Belgrade, where he averaged 22.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.6 blocks.

Joining Simanic on the ANGT Finals All-Tournament Team were Rodions Kurucs and Atoumane Diagne of champion Barcelona, Arnas Velicka of U18 Zalgiris Kaunas and Ferdinand Zylka of host side U18 ALBA Berlin. Kurucs averaged 15 points and 3.5 assists in the event, while Diagne contributed 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2 blocks for the champs. Velicka produced 16.7 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game for Zalgiris and Zylka stood out for the local side with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

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Sarunas Jasikevicius is known throughout Europe for his legendary playmaking skills and winner’s mentality. “Saras” was U18 Zalgiris Kaunas playmaker Arnas Velicka’s favorite player growing up. 

Velicka values insight from role model Jasikevicius

The 16-year-old’s interaction with the Zalgiris professional team head coach helped him shine at the 2016 EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT Finals. 

“It’s a very good experience. It’s very nice when you can speak with the legend and see him in front of you and sometimes get advice from him,” Velicka said about his relationship with the fellow Kaunas native.

“He was a point guard like me - all of those good decisions he made and all those passes and no-looks. He was so great.”

Velicka is getting some time to interact with the four-time Euroleague champion and Euroleague Basketball Legend because he’s playing this season with Zalgiris’ second team in the NKL second division and Jasikevicius sometimes comes around to work with the club’s 16 to 21 year old players.

“We talk about how to pass, how to dribble. That’s what you do when you’re a point guard,” said Velicka. 

The playmaker, who doesn’t turn 17 years old until December 10, has seen a drastic development in his game this season thanks also to Jasikevicius’s tutelage. 

Over the course of his first season with the second team, Velicka progressed his way up to the first backup at point guard. 

“I started with the team and it was difficult because I never played with men in professional basketball. At first it was tough but as the season went on I just started doing the things I do when I play against players my same age,” said Velicka, who averaged 4.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.8 steals in 14 minutes per game in the NKL. 

“I just tried to not think that they are bigger, stronger or older than me. And I think I did very well.”

He helped Zalgiris’s second team to reach the finals of the NKL playoffs, where it lost to Suduva-Mantinga Marijampole.

Velicka thinks his defense improved as did his athleticism. He also admits that he started weight-lifting for the first time. 

“I did it this season so my body is stronger. And that helps me the most I think.”

Velicka was also one of the major leaders for Zalgiris at the ANGT Qualifying Tournament Kaunas as he averaged 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 10.2 assists - including 16 assists in the ANGT Kaunas final. 

At the ANGT Finals in Berlin, Velicka collected 16.7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

This season was actually Velicka’s second in the ANGT after being with Zalgiris at the 2015 ANGT Finals in Madrid, where collected 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 15 minutes over three games. 

Even last May, Velicka was beginning to learn a new set of lessons from older high level talents such as Martynas Echodas, Martynas Varnas and Laurynas Birutis - all three his teammates with Zalgiris’s second team in the NKL.

“I learn a lot every day I play with them. We have a good time. I’m the youngest so they teach me how to play and do things, and just share their experience,” Velicka said. 

But Velicka’s biggest mentor remains Jasikevicius. 



U18 FC Barcelona Lassa is the ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT champion! Barcelona won its first ANGT title by downing Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade 90-82 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in the German capital on Sunday afternoon to become the third Spanish team to win the tournament after Joventut Badalona in 2013 and Real Madrid last year. Barcelona used a very balanced offense to down Zvezda, which lost its second consecutive ANGT Championship Game. Eric Vila led the winners with 21 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting. Sergi Martinez added 17 points, Rodions Kurucs and Maxim Esteban each scored 14, Aleix Font 13 and Pol Figueras dished 10 assists for Barcelona. Aleksa Radanov led Zvezda with 23 points, Borisa Simanic added 19, Matija Radovic 18 and Ivan Corovic 11. Vila shined early with 10 quick points, which caused Zvezda call timeout at 18-7. He got plenty of help from Martinez and Font to boost Barcelona's lead to 29-11 late in the first quarter. Corovic and Simanic helped Zvezda to return to the game, before Radovic’s third triple brought the team within 42-41. Three-pointers by Vila and Esteban put Barcelona up 50-46 at halftime. Font and Martinez stepped up after the break as Barcelona improved its defense. A jumper by Esteban gave his team a 7-point edge through three quarters and an outstanding Kurucs boosted the difference to 87-72 en route to the win and title.

### First quarter: Vila shines, Barcelona gets big lead

Atoumane Diagne got Barcelona going with a jump hook and Vila erased Radovic's reverse layup with a jumper for a 4-2 start. Radanov scored around the basket, but Martinez finished a five-chance Barcelona offense with a put-back layup. A red-hot Vila struck from downtown and soon added a mid-range jumper to boost his team's lead to 12-4. Diagne made free throws to cap a 10-0 run, before Radovic stepped up with a triple. Diagne sank foul shots, which Vila followed with a stop-and-pop jumper for an 18-7 advantage. Font took over with a driving layup and Martinez scored in transition to make it a 15-point game. Aleksa Uskokovic split free throws and Corovic bettered Martinez's layup with a three-point play. Diagne dunked and a three-pointer by Esteban broke the game open at 29-11. Corovic kept pushing Zvezda but a layup by Kurucs and a buzzer-beating jumper by Font gave Barcelona a 33-17 lead after 10 minutes.

### Second quarter: Radanov leads Zvezda rally

Corovic scored in penetration early in the quarter and Radanov soon gave Zvezda hope at 33-21. Barcelona struggled to score without Diagne and Vila on court, while free throws by Uskokovic and layup by Barisa Simanic brought Zvezda within single digits, 33-25. Font stepped up with back-to-back driving basket and Simanic and Stefan Momirov quickly answered for Zvezda, which became more fluid on offense. Kurucs stepped up with a put-back layup, but Radanov erased it with foul shots and Simanic added a close jumper to make it 39-33. Barcelona switched to a 2-3 zone defense off a timeout, but Radovic punished it with a timeout. Esteban answered from downtown, but Uskokovic answered with a driving layup and Radovic sank another triple to make it a 1-point game. Esteban and Radanov exchanged three-pointers and Pol Figueras gave Barcelona a 47-44 lead. Vila swished a triple and free throws by Radanov fixed the halftime score at 50-46.

### Third quarter: Barcelona holds on to lead

Radanov remained unstoppable with a driving basket immediately after the break. Font and Radovic exchanged three-pointers and a layup by Martinez gave Barcelona a 55-51 lead. Simanic made free throws, but Martinez worked well in the low post to score and Kurucs buried a triple from the top of the key, which prompted Zvezda to call timeout at 60-53. Font split free throws, as Zvezda kept struggling to score against Barcelona's aggressive, full-court defense. Radanov rescued his team with a three-point play, but Barcelona circulated the ball really well to find Vila for a big three-pointer and a 64-56 margin. Kurucs banked in a close shot, but Simanic and Uskokovic kept Zvezda within 66-59. Martinez shined with a reverse layup that Simanic matched with a big slam. Corovic also dunked, but Esteban matched it with a jumper to give Barcelona a 70-63 lead.

### Fourth quarter: Kurucs helps put the game on ice

Radanov scored again early in the quarter and Esteban buried a corner triple to boost his team's lead to 73-65. Figueras fed Martinez for a backdoor layup, but Radanov did better with a three-pointer. Kurucs shined with a big basket and bettered Simanic's jumper with a step-back triple that gave Barceona a double-digit lead, 80-70. An unstoppable Kurucs scored again, but a put-back basket by Radanov kept Zvezda alive. His team was not getting stops on defense, however, as Barcelona kept circulating the ball really well. Font hit a jump hook in the paint and Vila banked in a jumper that caused Zvezda to stop the game at 87-72 with 3:52 left. Simanic nailed a three-pointer, but Barcelona started to use longer possessions to run the game clock down. Martinez finished one of those with a reverse layup and even though Simanic buried another triple, Barcelona kept full control of the game until the final buzzer.

### [Game Info](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2015-16-berlin/u18-fc-barcelona-lassa-u18-crvena-zvezda-telekom-belgrade/JTF415/13/#boxscore)

Barcelona won its first ANGT title by downing Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade 90-82 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in the German capital on Sunday afternoon to become the third Spanish team to win the tournament after Joventut Badalona in 2013 and Real Madrid last year.

U18 FC Barcelona Lassa gets first-ever ANGT crown

U18 FC BARCELONA LASSA v U18 CRVENA ZVEZDA TELEKOM BELGRADE (2016-05-15T10:00:00.000Z)

Few people think of Ireland as a basketball country. But a two-year stay there actually played a major role in turning U18 FC Barcelona Lassa wing Aleix Font into the success story that he has become at the EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT. 

Two-year Ireland stay helps shape Font into Barcelona talent

Font is one of Barcelona’s leaders at this season’s ANGT competition; he was named to the All-Tournament Team at the ANGT Qualifying Tournament L’Hospitalet as Barcelona reached the final. At the ANGT Finals in Berlin, Font has helped guide his team into Sunday’s Championship Game against Group B champ U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade at Mercedes-Benz Arena with a team best 17.3 points and 2.7 steals per game. He has also contributed 4.7 rebounds and 2 assists as Barcelona won all three games in Group A. And Font credits his time in Ireland as a factor.

The Barcelona native spent two years with his family in Dublin from 2008 to 2010 and it helped Font develop his game in different ways than he could have if he had stayed in Spain at the JAC Sants club in Barcelona. “I went to Dublin because my dad got a job there. He decided it was a good decision to go there and the family went. We all learned English and had a good time with new friends and new people and a new way of life that made you learn about how you are and how you interact with people,” Font said.

The stay turned into much more than just a cultural and life experience one. Font also got a chance to further his game - despite Ireland’s status as a lower-level hoops nation. During his time in Dublin, Font played with Dublin club Templeogue and was going up against players two and three years older than him.

“When I was at JAC Sants, I was playing as a center because I was really tall. I went to Dublin and I was the smallest of my team because I was playing with older players. And you know Irish people and they play rugby and are really strong. So they were all hitting me and I had to learn to play point guard,” recalled Font. “When I came back to Spain, I was playing more shooting guard-small forward, so that kind of gave me an advantage because I was tall for my position.”

Font also was able to take advantage of a different schooling culture in Ireland. “Today you don’t have a lot of time to do things in Spain. You finish school at 5 p.m. and you don’t have much time for other things. But in Ireland, I finished school at 1:30 p.m.. So I had three hours to do nothing and I just played basketball.”

That work and development paid off when Font returned to continental Europe. After one season back with JAC Sants, Font got the call to join his dream club Barcelona in 2011. “It was a dream for me,” said Font, who grew up watching Juan Carlos Navarro and other Barcelona greats. “Through all the years I was going to the stadium and watching Barcelona play. I lived two minutes away from the whole Barcelona complex when I was a kid. So, obviously it was a dream.”

Font even got his chance to make his LEB Gold debut this season with Barcelona, on March 18 against Palencia. “It was the first time I even dressed with the second team for a game. I didn’t think I was going to play because Palencia was in first place in the league. I played and I even scored a three-pointer, so I was really, really happy. It was like a dream-come-true, starting to play as a professional,” Font said, flashing a smile.

Font also got his chance this season to help Barcelona achieve a major goal. On May 7, Font and Barcelona beat Real Madrid 65-58 in the Spanish U18 national championship tournament. The Catalans had finally broken through against Madrid after having lost to its rival in the last two ANGT L’Hospitalet finals as well as during this season’s U18 group stage.

“We were thinking we’re never going to beat them, they’re unbeatable, and we can’t do it. But we had a lot of confidence and that got our hopes up and we played really well,” Font said.

Besides playing in Europe’s elite youth club competition, the ANGT Finals also provided Font with an invaluable learning experience, meeting Euroleague Basketball Legend Theo Papaloukas as part of the EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT Players Educational Session.

“If someone with his background tells you about the game, then you listen,” Font said. “He said some things that are really true. To succeed at basketball, you have to be a freak. You have to spend a lot of hours doing it. You have to really, really love it. The main characteristic a basketball player has to have is that he loves basketball and prefers playing basketball over anything.”

And that is regardless if you’re in Barcelona or Dublin or anywhere in between as Font has learned.

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Jaylen Hoard doesn’t have to go far for advice about basketball. The U18 INSEP Paris wing’s father, mother and godmother all played the game - the latter two at the highest level for the France national team. 

All in the family for INSEP's Hoard

With his share of basketball genes flowing through his blood, Hoard has already developed into a highly-regarded talent for the French youth national team and INSEP. And he showcased that in the opening game of the 2016 EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT Finals when he scored 15 points with 2 assists and 3 steals in an 83-75 loss to Barcelona.

“Barcelona just stepped up in the second half. We were just under pressure and we didn’t really handle it well,” Hoard said. “We just have to take it as a learning experience. We can still be first in the group; we just have to win our other two games.”

Hoard said he did enjoy playing at the ANGT Finals for the first time, even though he struggled to contribute much in the second half after getting into foul trouble early in the third quarter. “It was fun. I like to play in settings like this. We all do,” he said. “I got frustrated but I cannot let that happen. I need to deal with frustration better.”

A native of Le Havre, Hoard remembers his American-born father playing in the French ProA and ProB leagues up until 2010. “I don’t remember the older days, but I remember seeing the end of his career,” said the younger Hoard, who joined INSEP last year.

His mother, Katia Foucade, played for France at the 1994 World Championship for Women, but she walked away from the game early, so he never saw her play. Hoard’s god mother is Edwige Lawson-Wade, who won the silver medal at the 2012 Olympics for France and also was European champion in 2001.

“I was kind of in the whole basketball environment. Picking up the sport was pretty easy. From then, my love for basketball just grew,” said Hoard, the second-oldest of five children. “We talk a lot about basketball. It’s a passion we share.”

When asked what he takes from his parents, Hoard responded: “Just their experience and their knowledge of the game.”

INSEP holds a major place in the Hoard family. Mother Katia went there before heading to college in the United States to play at the University of Washington. And Hoard’s sister Anaia might be the next in line to play at a high level; she has joined INSEP as well. In addition to the family connection, INSEP’s track record of developing top talent made picking the institution an easy choice for Hoard.

“I just wanted to get better and since my mom went to INSEP, I kind of knew what to expect and knew the environment,” Hoard said. “It’s just the facilities and the way of functioning and the practices. And it’s a national team environment. A lot of the coaches are coaches of the national teams. That’s what makes it pretty good.”

Hoard has seen his game improve over the past year and said he really needs to work on producing game in, game out. “I’ve been pretty good. I still need to work on being consistent. I’ve had good games, but also had ones where I’m not as effective and not have a big impact on the game. If I play more consistently I can do better.”

Hoard believes he has gotten better at reading the game and has worked on his physique as well as his defense. “But I really have to work on everything.”

One comfort is knowing that his family is there if he needs any advice.



The future of European basketball had the chance to learn life-long lessons from one of the game’s past greats as the players from the 2016 EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT Finals met Theo Papaloukas as part of the EB ANGT Players Educational Session. 

ANGT players value chance to meet Papaloukas at Educational Session

The Euroleague Basketball Legend spoke to the youngsters about how to remain in the game for many years, ways to prepare for the game and the importance of loving the game.

“I don’t know if I have helped them, but I told them what I think is really the truth, and if someone understands that, then maybe they can save some time in his career,” two-time Euroleague champion Papaloukas said.

“If I can make it, you can make it,” the 39-year-old Papaloukas told the players, referring to the start of his basketball career with a team in the fourth division in the Athens league. “You have to eat well and sleep well. Protect your body… Be a good player and a good person, be somebody players want to have on their team.”

Papaloukas was asked by one of the players if he had pregame rituals and he responded: “I lived out the game in my mind before the game. What my opponent likes to do. Playing it out already helped me to take the right decisions during the game.”

The number one thing, Papaloukas said, was to love the game, adding: “You have to do what you love. The more you love basketball, the bigger your success will be.”

Papaloukas’s many achievements in a brilliant career included becoming a EuroBasket champion, Euroleague MVP, Euroleague Final Four MVP and one of the 50 Greatest Euroleague Contributors. That success and the wisdom he gleamed with it ensured that Papaloukas’s advice would be well received by the future stars.

“It was good. He played my position so I loved seeing him. I loved watching him. He won so many great games,” said U18 INSEP Paris’s Bathiste Tchouaffe. “He talked about what you need to do to prepare for basketball games ahead of time. That was good.”

U18 ALBA Berlin’s Rijad Avdic also liked hearing about how Papaloukas prepared for games, and how important relaxing is. “It’s a big honor because he’s one of the greats and you can really learn a lot about him and how he played basketball,” Avdic said.

Francois Naude, the Senior Manager Sports Marketing Horizontal Concepts for adidas, also addressed the players about the adidas brand and the athletes’ place in it. He also said the choice to bring in a legend like Papaloukas to talk to the players was an easy one. “adidas is a proud partner of Euroleague so through that we want to engage in the youth. This is a key platform and a really good platform for us to do that. We’re an older brand in the sporting world and to bring in a legend like Papaloukas, he was the kind of story we like to tell,” said Naude.

He also believes the players really paid attention to what Papaloukas said. “Kids generally when they’re younger dream big, and it’s inspirational for them to hear somebody who has been there and done that. It makes them think that their dreams can become a reality,” Naude said. “Having a legend speak to them, they know he was once in their shoes and now 20 years later he’s achieved everything they could possibly want to achieve in their lifetime. It reaffirms that their dreams can come true.”

The other speaker was Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Brand and Communication Director for Euroleague Basketball, who talked to the players about the role of players. “Play Basketball”, “Inspire People” and “Grow Brands” are the three pillars, he said. “You need a lot of factors to get to the highest level and then to stay there,” said Ferrer.

He also discussed the players being aware of their presence to the outside world, including on social media. “All of these eyes will be on you and it’s important you act appropriately,” he added.

ANGT Educational session, Berlin, 2016

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After his name appeared in this space one year ago, Luka Doncic went on to lead Real Madrid to the ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT championship, earn tournament MVP honors and become a regular for Madrid’s senior squad this season. 

ANGT Finals players to watch

Doncic is just the latest example of how great a stepping stone this event can be, with such a high quality of talent on display every year at the ANGT Finals. Here’s a primer on which future stars to follow in Berlin.

### U18 FC Barcelona Lassa: Sergi Martinez

Martinez is playing his first ANGT this season. He played a major role in getting Barcelona to the ANGT L’Hospitalet final by averaging 14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. The Barcelona native, who is a year younger than the rest of the competition, also helped Barcelona win this season’s Spanish U18 national championship by averaging 10.8 points and 10 rebounds in the finals. Martinez, whose older brother David also plays in the Barcelona system, played the last two summers for Spain at the FIBA U16 European Championship. He averaged 21.3 points, 11 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals per game last summer. Martinez has solid size and build for both forward positions, though he might be a small forward later. The 2.01-meter forward has good explosiveness with good lateral speed and is a good rebounder. Martinez can play one-on-one from the outside and also likes to get out in transition.

### U18 INSEP Paris: Jaylen Hoard

Hoard is playing in his first ANGT season and averaged 13 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for INSEP at the ANGT Kaunas. The 2.04-meter wing is considered one of Europe’s top talents in the 1999-born generation. He played for France at last summer’s FIBA U16 European Championship and collected 7.7 points, 4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. The Le Havre native helped France qualify for the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship. Hoard’s mother Katia Foucade played for France at the 1994 World Championship for Women and his godmother is 2001 European champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Edwige Lawson-Wade. Hoard is loaded with athleticism, explosiveness and leaping ability. He is excellent at driving to the rim and finishing. Hoard also likes to get out in transition and play in the open court. When in the half-court offense, he also can find the open player if he drives to the lane. Defensively, his biggest assets are his size and length, and his wingspan gets him a lot of rebounds.

### U18 Mega Bemax Belgrade: Marko Pecarski

Pecarski is considered one of Europe’s top talents from the 2000-born generation and he is playing in his third ANGT season, despite still being two years younger than much of the competition. He played in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 editions for U18 Zemun Belgrade before moving to Mega. He shined with 12.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game as Mega won the ANGT Rome to reach its first ANGT Finals. Pecarski’s father, Miroslav Pecarski, starred for Yugoslavia’s juniors in late 80s and won the 1996 Euroleague with Panathinaikos. The younger Pecarski was born in Gijon, Spain, where his father was still playing in 2000. Pecarski, who helped Mega win the U17 Serbian club title this season, played for Serbia at last summer’s FIBA U16 European Championship and averaged 12 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. The 2.06-meter big man has lots of tools. Pecarski is not overly athletic, but is mobile and well-coordinated. He has an array of moves around the basket and can even step out beyond the three-point line successfully. Pecarski still is working on his defense, but he uses his smarts to get in good position.

### U18 Zalgiris Kaunas: Arnas Velicka

Velicka is playing his second ANGT season and was named to the All-Tournament Team for Zalgiris in winning the 2015-16 ANGT Kaunas by averaging 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The 1999-born point guard collected 18 points and 16 assists in the ANGT Kaunas title game. A 1.92-meter playmaker, he also helped Lithuania to second place at the 2015 FIBA U16 European Championship by averaging 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The Kaunas native has good size for a playmaker as well as a strong upper body, which allows him to take contact in the lane. Velicka does not have great explosiveness, but he does have good speed. Velicka is a true floor general, who can slash to the rim and has good court vision. He doesn’t shy away from defense, but he still struggles with his shooting.

### U18 ALBA Berlin: Philipp Herkenhoff

Herkenhoff is on loan to ALBA for the ANGT Finals and playing in his first ANGT season. He was ALBA’s second-leading scorer at the ANGT Belgrade with 12.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.3 steals and 2 blocks per game. The 1999-born forward was one of Germany’s leaders at the 2015 FIBA U16 European Championship, where he averaged 10.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 blocked shot per game. The Mettingen native averaged 15.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks this season for the Artland Young Dragons in the U19 NBBL league. Herkenhoff has good length at 2.05 meters, but still needs to put more weight on his skinny frame. He is playing power forward now, but long term he may be destined for the small forward position, especially if he can improve his outside shooting. Herkenhoff runs the floor well and can finish on the break. He still needs to improve his aggressiveness and confidence, but there is a lot of potential there.

### U18 Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius: Aistis Pilauskas

This is the second ANGT campaign for Pilauskas, who also played at the 2013-14 ANGT Kaunas. The 1.88-meter point guard averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game for Lietuvos Rytas at this season’s ANGT Kaunas. The Vilnius native played last summer for Lithuania at the FIBA U18 European Championship and averaged 5.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game despite being a year younger than much of the competition and helped Lithuania to a third-place finish. Pilauskas, who has signed a long-term contract with Lietuvos Rytas, is a pesky defender with quick feet on defense. He is a good rebounder from the guard position, aided by his quickness and solid build. Pilauskas has good speed to get to the basket and solid ball-handling skills. Pilauskas also has a good outside shot and he can hit some three-pointers, too.

### U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade: Stefan Dordevic

Dordevic is playing his first ANGT season and played a major role in Zvezda winning the ANGT Belgrade title by averaging 15.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 62.1 percent from the field and 85.7% from the free throw line. The 2.03-meter center had his first experience with the Serbian national team by averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 13 minutes per game at the 2016 Albert Schweitzer Tournament. Dordevic has been playing basketball seriously for less than two years and moved to Zvezda after a season with second division club Zdravlje Leskovac. He is a couple centimeters shorter than most center prospects, but has a long wingspan. Dordevic is not flashy, but does not do things he cannot do – roaming too far from the basket or handling the ball. He is a great rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. Dordevic also has good shot-blocking instincts. He still gets down on himself when he makes mistakes, but his confidence level is building.

### U18 Real Madrid: Samba Ndiaye

Ndiaye is playing in his fourth ANGT season after helping Real Madrid win the ANGT title last season, when he averaged 6.9 points and 10.4 rebounds, including 6 points and 11 rebounds in the Championship Game victory over U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade. The 2.02-meter big man collected 5.6 points and 8.2 rebounds at the 2015-16 ANGT L’Hospitalet, including 7 points and 16 rebounds in the final over U18 Barcelona Lassa. The Senegalese native has also played this season with Madrid’s second team in the EBA and posted 3.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, including a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds against Estudiantes. Ndiaye lives off his defense and rebounding in the paint for the reigning ANGT champion. He is considered to be a tremendous rebounder with his good physique and positioning. He also does a good job on defense thanks to those same traits. Offensively he is still raw, getting most of his points on put-backs from offensive rebounds. Ndiaye does need to improve his shooting from the free throw line.

The EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT reaches its pinnacle at the 2016 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Berlin, where Europe’s elite youth club competition will decide its 14th champion. 

EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT 2016 preview

Five past champions, including reigning title-holder U18 Real Madrid, have reached the eight-team field, which will play in two groups at the Sportforum Berlin with the group winners squaring off in the championship game at Mercedes-Benz Arena hours before the Euroleague title is handed out on the same floor.

In addition to Madrid, the list of former champs includes 2003 and 2007 winner U18 Zalgiris Kaunas, 2010 champ U18 INSEP Paris, 2012 winner U18 Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius and U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade, which grabbed the trophy in 2014. Zalgiris also appeared in three finals: 2005, 2006 and 2011; while Lietuvos Rytas lost to U18 FMP in the 2009 title bout; and Zvezda lost to Madrid in the 2015 championship game. Another participant, U18 FC Barcelona Lassa, dropped the 2008 and 2013 finals.

Joining that sextet in the ANGT Finals are host U18 ALBA Berlin, which is back in the Finals for the first time since hosting it in 2009; and U18 Mega Bemax Belgrade, which is making its debut after winning the ANGT Torneo Citta di Roma Qualifying Tournament. This season’s three other qualifying tournaments were won by Madrid (ANGT – L’Hospitalet), Zalgiris (ANGT Kaunas) and Zvezda (ANGT “Marko Ivkovic” Belgrade). The other four clubs received wild cards invitations to the ANGT Finals.

The group stage will be played from Thursday May 12 through Saturday May 14. Group A comprises Barcelona, INSEP, Mega and Zalgiris, while Group B features ALBA, Zvezda, Rytas and Madrid. The most anticipated game of the group stage may be the showdown between Madrid and Zvezda– the penultimate game in Group B. The two powers met in the last two championship games with Zvezda winning in 2014 and Madrid grabbing a thrilling 73-70 victory in last season’s final for its first ANGT title.

Real Madrid completed the rare ANGT-Euroleague double last season, joining the 2006 CSKA Moscow club as the only other team to win both of the Euroleague’s club competitions on the same weekend. This will be the first time since 2011 that no club has representatives in both competitions after Madrid the past two seasons and Barcelona the previous two.

Zalgiris is the only one of the past champs in this year’s field to hoist the trophy more than once. If the Lithuanian giant can win again, it would pull even with CSKA Moscow (2004, 2005 and 2006) with a record three crowns. Should INSEP, Lietuvos Rytas, Madrid or Zvezda claim the title, it would pull even on two with Zalgiris and FMP (2008, 2009). Madrid also has the chance to be the first repeat champion since FMP achieved the feat in 2009 – also in Berlin. Since then, however, six different teams have won the six ANGT Finals. Barcelona, ALBA and Mega would all like to continue that trend.

One thing is certain, every team will be going into the ANGT Finals looking to play in the championship game Sunday before the Euroleague grand finale.

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