The ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT ‘Marko Ivkovic’ Belgrade event tips off Friday with many of the best young players in central Europe eager to take the stage. 

ANGT Belgrade players to watch 2015

Learn more about some of the stars to watch from the eight teams about to clash for a ticket to the ANGT finals.

### Crvena Zvezda – Nikola Rakicevic

This will be Rakicevic’s third ANGT. After averaging 3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 2013, he averaged 7.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals for the title-winning team in 2014. Rakicevic helped Serbia win the bronze medal at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship last summer and was selected for the All-Tournament Team after averaging 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals. In the semifinals and third place game, Rakicevic collected 38 points (on 21 of 22 free throws), 12 rebounds and 6 steals. The 1.96-meter guard is not flashy or overly athletic, which allows others to steal the headlines and attention. But Rakicevic was the Serbian player of his generation who was invited to the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in New York City. He does a good job creating scoring opportunities on the drive, where he also can find his teammates. Rakicevic can shoot from the outside and has a knack of being in the right place at the right time with a healthy dose of intensity.

### Zemun – Nikola Cirkovic

Cirkovic will be playing at his second ANGT after he averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals for Zemun at the Belgrade tournament last season. He was a role player for the Serbia national team at the FIBA U17 World Championship last summer, where he averaged 2.9 points plus 1.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists in less than 10 minutes per game. The Belgrade native is a 1.92-meter combo guard, whose biggest strength is his one-on-one play. Cirkovic can score a variety of ways and is averaging more than 20 points in the Serbian junior league. He is also known for his high basketball IQ. Cirkovic still lacks strength in his upper body, but that doesn’t stop him from keeping players in front of him. Cirkovic is Zemun’s go-to guy – not only scoring-wise, but also because of his talent level.

### Canarias - Menno Dijkstra

Dijkstra will be at his second ANGT, but the Dutch big man did not play for Canarias in Belgrade last season. The 2.10-meter center has taken some big steps forward since then. The Standaarbuiten native played last summer for the Netherlands at the U18 European Championship Division B and averaged 6.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 block. He collected 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in the final two games of the tournament. Dijkstra has a high basketball IQ and seven kilograms of additional muscle has given him more confidence in the paint. The big red head’s arsenal features a good jump hook off his left shoulder and an effective jumper out to five meters. Dijkstra has very good footwork, a great attitude and superb work ethic.

### Mega Leks – Novak Music

The 16-year old Music will be playing in his first ANGT tournament. A native of Belgrade, he was one of Serbia’s leaders at the 2014 U16 European Championship, where the guard averaged 7.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals, including a game with 22 points against Lithuania. The 1.89-meter point guard practices with the Mega Leks professional team in the morning sessions. He is exceptionally aggressive at both ends. Music is known to apply tremendous on-ball pressure on defense and has a very easy time creating scoring opportunities for himself and others. Music also is a very good shooter; he nailed 10 of 21 three-pointers (47.6%) at the U16 Euros last summer.

### Partizan – Vanja Marinkovic

Marinkovic is appearing in his third ANGT. In 2013, he averaged 7.0 points and 4.4 rebounds. Last season, he upped those numbers to 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals. He collected two international medals last summer, helping Serbia to the silver at the 2014 U18 European Championship (8.2 ppg., 2.3 rpg.) and bronze at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship (9.0 ppg., 2.1 rpg.). The Belgrade native plays beyond his years, and he has great confidence. He is a strong and intelligent player as well as a tremendous shooter. Marinkovic has already advanced to Partizan’s senior team with whom he has averaged 5.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in the Eurocup and 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in the Adriatic League – despite only turning 18 in January. He scored 19 points in the Eurocup against Asesoft CSU Ploiesti and poured in 20 points in the Adriatic League against MZT Skopje.

### ALBA Berlin – Moritz Wagner

Wagner will be playing in his first ANGT. He played for Germany last summer at the U18 European Championship Division B, where the team went undefeated to earn promotion to Division A. The Berlin native averaged 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds, including 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals against Austria. The 2.07-meter power forward has excellent athleticism, which along with his length he uses well in various areas on the court. Wagner can put the ball on the floor and finish in the paint against stronger players. He also has good range on his jumper, though he doesn’t shoot much from beyond the three-point line. Wagner has already appeared in two Euroleague games and in three German League games he scored 3 points. In the U19 NBBL league, Wagner is averaging 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.1 steals.

### Venice – Leonardo Tote

Tote will be appearing in his first ANGT. He played at two international tournaments for Italy last summer. The 2.07-meter center averaged 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds at the U18 European Championship. His biggest game was against Croatia when he collected 5 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block in 19 minutes. At the FIBA U17 World Championship, the Negrar native averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks, including a 22-point, 8-rebound showing against United Arab Emirates. Tote is versatile and mobile for his size and has shown that he has some strong leaping ability. He is still a bit skinny, but has solid mechanics and actually has good three-point range. Tote’s post game is still a work-in-progress, but the humble young man appears eager to improve.

### Vaerlose – Jacob Larsen

Larsen will be playing in his first ANGT. The 2.06-meter power forward did not play for Denmark’s U18 team last summer after having guided the U16 team to promotion to Division A in 2013, when he averaged a tournament high 20.0 points and 4.0 blocks as well as 12.1 rebounds. Without Larsen this summer, the Danish U16 team dropped back down to Division B. Larsen is the younger brother of 1994-born talent Rasmus Larsen. Jacob has a good motor, is a fighter and is active. Larsen, who just participated in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in New York City, prefers playing in the paint area, but he can also face up and drive to the basket from the high post.

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With the third qualifying event of the ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT ready to go in Kaunas, Lithuania from Friday to Sunday this weekend, here's a look at one player to watch from each of the eight participating teams.

ANGT Kaunas players to watch

### CSKA Moscow, Andrey Lopatin
Lopatin will be playing at his first ANGT. The 2.03-meter forward played for Russia at the 2014 U16 European Championship – actually, it was his second U16 European Championship – and he averaged 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists. CSKA is hoping Lopatin can turn into a reliable power forward. His technique is good and he has a solid three-point shot. He's an efficient passer and does a good job on the offensive glass. Lopatin has quick hands for a big guy and he's a diligent worker. Lopatin is in his first season with CSKA's junior team and is averaging 6.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals in the Russian junior basketball league.

### Bayern Munich, Richard Freudenberg
Freudenberg is playing in his second ANGT after being named to the all-tournament team in Rome last season, when he averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks. He played for Germany at the 2013 U16 European Championship and averaged 6.4 points and 1.3 rebounds. The 2.02-meter forward is still getting used to his body as he continues to grow. Still, he's an excellent shooter with solid technique and can handle the ball pretty well. He has excellent fundamentals and good court vision. A do-everything-guy, Freudenberg can attack the rim and finish above it with his good athleticism, which allows him to guard various positions defensively. He has high basketball intelligence, a great attitude and good game understanding. He is averaging 17.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks in the U19 NBBL, where he was named an all-star.

### Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul, Egehan Arna
Arna will be playing in his second ANGT after averaging 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in the L'Hospitalet qualifying tournament and then collecting 4.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists at the finals in Milan last season. He played for Turkey at the 2013 U16 European Championships, averaging 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The 1.99-meter lefty guard can do it all, score in many ways, pass the ball and rebound well from his position. He is an above-average athlete who can get out on the break and drive to the basket. He can also hit shots from long range. Arna is the leader of the Fenerbahce team, averaging about 30 points, more than 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the U18 Istanbul league.

### INSEP, Stephane Gombauld
Gombauld returns for his third ANGT and is looking to get back to his second finals. He averaged 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists over the qualifiers and finals in 2012-13 and then collected 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals last season in Belgrade. Last summer he played at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship and was France's second leading scorer with 15.4 points per game to go with 10.3 rebounds. Gombauld is a very good scorer in the paint with his good footwork and has good athleticism with a good ability to draw fouls. The 2.04-meter power forward has good hands and a soft touch around the basket. He rebounds well on both ends of the floor thanks to his long wingspan. Gombauld continues to struggle from the free throw line but he is developing a bit of an outside game, hitting 32% of his three-pointers this season after just 13% last season.

### Lietuvos Rytas, Jokubas Svambaris
Svambaris comes back for his second ANGT in Kaunas after he collected 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 turnovers in 15 minutes last year. Svambaris also played last summer at the U18 European Championship where he had 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists. At 1.90 meters, Svambaris has good size for a point guard. He started out as a small forward and is still transitioning into a point guard. The Sarunas Marciulionis Basketball Academy product is well-rounded and was named the MVP of the recent Sabonis Team97 Cup. Svambaris is averaging 13.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.9 steals in the A Lyga, but he is struggling with his outside shot, making just 21% of his threes for Sarunas Marciulionis KA Cili.

### USK Future Stars Prague, Ondrej Sehnal
Sehnal will be participating at his second ANGT after averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.8 steals last season. The 1.94-meter playmaker played last summer as an underclass player for Czech Republic at the U18 European Championship and averaged 8.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. The point guard can handle and pass the ball and has good court vision and good understanding of the game. He also can drive to the basket with his good size, athleticism and quickness. He is working on his outside shooting, which can be spotty at times. He is playing in the Czech first division NBL, averaging 3.4 points while hitting 45 percent of his threes to go with 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

### VEF Riga, Rodions Kurucs
Kurucs will be making his ANGT debut. He played for Latvia at the 2014 U16 European Championship, helped his country reach the final and was named to the all-tournament team with averages of 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks. The 2.06-meter small forward has all the tools to be a star and he is already considered one of the top players in the 1998 class. Kurucs is a smooth player with good balance and control of his long body. He uses his quickness to get past perimeter defenders and out on the fastbreak, where he can finish above the rim – also in traffic. Kurucs is a good passer and has good court vision and court awareness. He has a solid outside shot and possesses all the tools to be a good defender. Kurucs has already played in one Euroleague qualifying-rounds game, one Eurocup game and three VTB United contests for VEF this season. He is mainly playing in the LBL second division and averaging 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.

### Zalgiris Kaunas, Martynas Echodas
Echodas returns for his second ANGT after being named to the all-tournament team last season at the finals in Milan as a 16-year-old, averaging 17.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 4.0 blocks. A power forward, Echodas totaled 49 points and 21 rebounds in his first two games in Milan, and though he was held to just 4 points and 5 rebounds in the team's last game against Real Madrid, he compensated with 5 blocked shots. The 2.04-meter big man collected 9.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in the Kaunas qualifying tournament a year ago. He has a good body and good athleticism, which makes him efficient around the basket (hitting 57 percent of his shots in seven ANGT games last season). Echodas has a mid-range game and can also drive and finish in the lane. Defensively, he's an excellent shot-blocker and has good hands. He is playing in the second Lithuanian league NKL and averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.9 steals.

ANGT Kaunas players to watch, 2015

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The ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT make its third stop in the Lithuanian basketball hotbed Kaunas from Friday, January 16 until Sunday, January 18 in search of another qualifier to the finals during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Madrid next May.

Kaunas to host loaded field in next ANGT qualifying tournament

The Kaunas qualifying tournament is loaded with four former European junior champions – Zalgiris Kaunas, CSKA Moscow, Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius and INSEP Paris – as well as a fourth team – Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul – that reached the championship game. The other teams competing in Kaunas will be FC Bayern Munich, USK Future Stars Prague and VEF Riga. The winners from two groups will move into the final and the winner of that game will clinch a spot in the eight-team finals in Madrid from May 14 to 17. Stellazzurra Basketball Academy Rome and Real Madrid have already secured berths in the Finals after winning the Rome and L’Hospitalet qualifying tournaments, respectively.

The biggest question in Kaunas will be if any team can beat Zalgiris at home. Zalgiris, whose juniors won the continental title in 2003 and 2007 and reached the finals in 2005, 2006 and 2011, went undefeated in the Kaunas tournaments at Zalgirio Arena in 2012 and 2014. But Zalgiris has not been all about home cooking, either. Its junior team lost to Lietuvos Rytas in the final in 2013 in Siauliai after having lost to Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the 2010-11 L'Hospitalet tournament and having won the 2009-10 Rome qualifying tournament.

Zalgiris has been teamed in Group A with Bayern, INSEP and Prague in Group A. Bayern Munich is playing in its second ANGT tournament, having competed in Rome last season. INSEP will be competing in Kaunas for the first time after playing in Rome the last five seasons, and reaching the final in 2009-10 en route to its 2010 ANGT title in Paris. USK Future Stars Prague comes back to Kaunas for a second straight season after losing only to Zalgiris in group play in 2013-14. Prague went winless in Belgrade in 2012-13 and Kaunas in 2011-12 after going 1-2 in group play in Belgrade in 2010-11 and losing to Union Olimpija in the 2009-10 London final.

Group B features CSKA, Fenerbahce, Lietuvos Rytas and VEF Riga. CSKA is still the only team to win three straight ANGT titles – in 2004, 2005 and 2006 – but the Russian squad has struggled in recent years to compete for a spot in a qualifying final. CSKA did go 2-1 in group play in Siauliai in 2012-13 but then was 1-2 in Kaunas last season. Fenerbahce, which reached the 2012 ANGT final, will play in Kaunas for the first time after winning the Rome final in 2010-11, reaching the Rome final the next two seasons and then going 1-2 in group play in L'Hospitalet last season. The 2012 champion Lietuvos Rytas was second in group play in Kaunas last season after beating Zalgiris in the Siauliai final. Vilnius won the L'Hospitalet qualifier before winning the ANGT crown in the 2011-12 season. The Lithuania giant also won the L'Hospitalet qualifying tournament in the 2008-09 season before losing in the ANGT final to FMP. VEF Riga has been consistently improving in the ANGT qualifying tournament, losing only to finalist Khimki in 2011-12 and then beating eventual Siauliai champ Lietuvos Rytas in 2012-13 group play but losing on the tiebreaker after a defeat to Topsportschool VBL. Last season, the Riga team's only loss came in the Kaunas final to Zalgiris.



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Look out for these up and coming stars at the Torneig Ciutat de L'Hospitalet leg of the Adidas Next Generation Tournament.

Players to watch: Torneig Ciutat de L'Hospitalet, 2015

### ASVEL Lyon Villeurbanne: Amine Noua

Noua was fourth in scoring at the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship with 18.7 points and his 8.4 rebounds placed him among the top 10, too. France’s 2.02-meter power forward 62.2% from two-point range, though he struggled from the free throw line at 42.9%. The previous summer he helped France reach the U17 Worlds by averaging 6.2 points and 7.2 rebounds at the U16 European Championship. Noua has a strong body which he uses well around the basket and knows how to utilize it to his advantage with mismatches inside. He is not known for his outside game, but he is smart and has a good basketball IQ on both ends of the floor. Noua rebounds well on offense and defense and can also pass the ball well.

### Baloncesto Seville: Carlos Hidalgo

Hidalgo will be the leader of the Seville team after Diego Gallardo and Maxim Salash moved on from the team that won the qualifying tournament in Rome last winter and played at the Finals last May in Milan. Hidalgo averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.1 steals last season in the competition, including 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, a Finals-high 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals in Milan. The 1.84-meter guard did not make the Spanish national team for 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, though he averaged 1.5 points for the title-winning Spain team at the 2013 U16 European Championship. Hidalgo is an excellent shooter from mid-range and the perimeter. He can score points in bunches and has a knack for drawing fouls. Despite his size, he is a solid rebounder and also can run the game well from the point guard position. Hidalgo is not an elite defender, but he possesses quick hands.

### FC Barcelona: Stefan Peno

Peno is back for his third L’Hospitalet tournament after averaging 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 2013 and then 5.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 2014. The 1.93-meter point guard is a proven winner, having helped Serbia to two podium finishes during the summer of 2014 - silver medal at the U18 European Championship and third place at the FIBA U17 World Championship. He averaged 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists at the U18 Euros and 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and a tournament-high 3.4 assists at the U17 Worlds. Once a prolific scorer, Peno has turned himself into a prototype point guard. He has great court vision and a flair for the dramatic; he tends to wow observers at least once a game. But that also leads to occasional unnecessary turnovers. Peno, who has made one appearance with Barcelona in the Liga Endesa this season, possesses a great understanding of the game and while he’s not a great shooter, he definitely can score if needed and plays strong defense.

### FIATC Joventut Badalona: Xabi Lopez

Lopez will be playing in his second L’Hospitalet tournament, though he is coming off a summer in which he struggled with Spain at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, where he averaged 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists and hit just 19.4% of his three-pointers. The 1.98-meter small forward is considered to be an elite shooter, but he couldn’t find his rhythm at that event. Lopez took a step forward last season, going from 5.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals at the 2014 L’Hospitalet tournament to 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals at the Finals in Milan in May. More than just a great shooter, he also is quick enough to slash to the basket, though he’s not a great finisher. Lopez can still use some strength, but he rebounds well for his position and he’s a more than adequate defender.

### Galatasaray Istanbul: Berkay Kansu

Kansu will be playing in his first ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT event. The 1.91-meter guard has not yet played for the Turkish youth national teams. He’s thought to be a smart player who can play both guard positions and excels in the pick-and-roll game. Kansu is a great penetrator, but not a great shooter. He has good size and athleticism and is a good on-ball defender.

### CB L’Hospitalet: Marc Ruf

Ruf will be playing in his second L’Hospitalet tournament after averaging 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds last winter, including 14 points against Brose Baskets Bamberg. The 2.04-meter center is L’Hospitalet’s main weapon in the post. He has been selected for the Catalan junior national team in the past. He is the son of Carles Ruf, who came up in the Joventut system and played for Ram Joventut and Valvi Girona in the ACB in the 1980s and 1990s. Marc has a good shot and is a good passer for a big man. He has good size and can use it around the basket.

### Real Madrid: Jonathan Barreiro

Barreiro is one of the best players of his generation and will be playing in his third edition of the L’Hospitalet tournament. The 2.02-meter forward averaged 5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 2013 and then was one of Madrid’s leaders last winter, averaging 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists, including 20 points in the L’Hospitalet title game victory over Unicaja Malaga to send Madrid the Finals in Milan. But Barreiro missed the Milan tournament with an injury, which also kept him from playing for Spain at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship. Barreiro, who appeared in two Euroleague Top 16 games for Madrid last season, is a smooth player who has a complete offensive game with a consistent outside shot, drive to the rim, good handle and good understanding of the game. He’s a true leader, who will be extra motivated to play at the Finals this time around.

### Union Olimpija Ljubljana : Blaz Mesicek

Mesicek is playing at his second L’Hospitalet tournament after averaging 8.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists last winter. The 1.96-meter guard played this past summer for Slovenia at the U18 European Championship Division B, where he averaged 9.9 points and 3.8 rebounds. In 2013, he impressed at the U16 European Championship Division B with 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals. Mesicek is a lefty guard who can get into the lane and finish, but also has an excellent shooting touch from outside. He’s a tough guy, a fighter who will do anything needed to win. Despite a still light frame, he doesn’t shy away from contact – also near the basket – which helps him get a high number of free throw attempts. He’s averaging nearly 18 points this season in the second division in Slovenia. Mesicek still lacks consistency on defense, but he has the tools to be a good defender.

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Since its inception over a decade, the international junior tournament series organized by Euroleague Basketball has been a launching pad for a great many future stars. 

Players To Watch, Torneo Citta di Roma, 2014

This season’s ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT will be no different, starting with the first event of the season, the Torneo Città di Roma. The eight teams headed to the Italian capital boast several players to have already distinguished themselves at the junior levels – and one to have already made his Turkish Airlines Euroleague debut! Learn more about the players to watch this weekend in Rome:

### Stellazzurra Basketball Academy Rome: Andrea La Torre

The fourth time’s a charm, at least that’s what La Torre is hoping. The 2.02-mter swingman will be playing in his fourth ANGT and has gotten better each winter. He went from 2.5 points and 2.8 rebounds and a team fourth-place finish in 2011 to 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals and fifth place in 2012 to 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 steals and second place last December. La Torre will be called upon to lead Stellazzurra. He helped Italy win the 2014 Albert Schweitzer Tournament and started for Italy at the Under-17 World Championships over the summer in Dubai. La Torre is a smooth lefty, who can shoot from outside and drive to the basket. He’s trying to become a point guard, which would make him extremely valuable at his size. Defensively, La Torre is not a factor and still needs to work on that side of the ball.

### Brose Baskets Bamberg: Leon Kratzer

Kratzer is back in the ANGT after a strong performance at the L’Hospitalet tournament last season, where he averaged 15.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.25 blocks and 1.25 steals. The 2.08-meter center will actually be playing in his third ANGT after collecting 6.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in the 2012-13 campaign in Rome. Kratzer, who was Germany’s second-leading scorer (9.6 ppg.) and rebounder (8.8 rpg.) at the 2013 U16 European Championship, is a big man with good rebounding instincts, especially on the offensive glass. He was named to the 2015 All-Star Game for the U19 NBBL league, and although he struggles from the free throw line, Kratzer has a knack of getting to the charity stripe with his efficiency around the basket. Kratzer is not overly athletic, but he moves well on defense, has a feel for blocking shots and has quick enough hands to pick up steals.

### Maccabi Teddy Tel Aviv: Dragan Bender

Bender returns to the ANGT for a second time – this time with a new team. He played for Cedevita Zagreb at Belgrade last season and had a huge third-place game against Mega Vizura Belgrade with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks for a performance index rating of 34. For the Belgrade tournament, he averaged 6.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks. The versatile 2.12-meter forward had a huge U18 European Championship for third-place Croatia, averaging 14.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.2 blocks to make the All-Tournament Team. Bender had 34 points and 14 rebounds vs. Lithuania and just missed triple-doubles against Latvia and Greece. There’s really not much Bender can’t do. He’s a great rebounder and passer, he can shoot from outside and drive to the lane. Bender has been playing on loan this season for Israeli second division team Ironi Ramat Gan, where he is averaging 10.7 points, 8.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks.

### Cedevita Zagreb: Lovro Mazalin

Mazalin’s prospect status is like a Brazilian footballer; he can almost go by his first name alone. Lovro is a flat-out winner. The 2.01-meter forward is making his third ANGT appearance – and second with Cedevita. He starred for Cibona Zagreb in Siauliai in 2013 with his all-around game, averaging 24.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Last season for Cedevita, the smooth lefty averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks. Mazalin struggled a bit at times as an underclass player with Croatia at the 2014 U18 European Championship, but stepped up in the third place game with 24 points and 5 rebounds to help Croatia reach the podium. In total, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Mazalin has the complete package, with the ability to drive the lane and shoot from outside. He is a good passer and dribbler, though defensively he is not elite. Lovro practices solely with Cedevita’s senior team – with whom he has played in seven Turkish Airlines Euroleague games and nine Adriatic League contests so far this season.

### Armani Juniors Milan: Davide Moretti

Moretti is the son of former Italian international Paolo Moretti, who won a silver medal at EuroBasket 1997. The 1.80-meter guard will be playing in his second ANGT, having helped guide Stellazzurra Basketball Academy Rome to the Rome final last winter. The 1998-born shooting guard averaged 8.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals at that tourney. This past summer, Moretti was the leading scorer for Italy at both the U17 World Championship and the U16 European Championship. He made his Serie A debut this season, playing for his father and coach, Paolo Moretti, at Giorgio Tesi Group Pistoia at age 16 years and seven months. The junior Moretti has a strong pick-and-roll game and is a good shooter. He also can drive to the basket and has a good knack for finishing.

### Virtus Bologna: Roberto Vercellino

Vercellino will be playing at his first ANGT in his second season with the Bologna club. The 2.02-meter forward played last summer at the U17 World Championships in Dubai and averaged 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds. The 17-year-old has already made his debut in the Serie A. Vercellino competed at the Jordan Brand Class in Barcelona, has a long frame and has good instincts on defense; he averaged 2.0 blocks and 1.8 steals last season in Italy’s U17 championship. He also showed his versatility with 9.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. Vercellino has a good inside game, can shoot a bit from outside and also handle the ball well for his size.

### Unicaja Malaga: Romaric Belemene-Dzabatou

Belemene-Dzabatou will be playing in his third ANGT after averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 2012-13 in Rome and then 6.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last winter in L’Hospitalet. The 2.02-meter forward will be extra motivated after struggling in the L’Hospitalet final against Real Madrid, making just 1 of 12 shots for 2 points, 2 turnovers and a performance index rating of -8. Belemene-Dzabatou, who was born in Congo, is an impressive physical specimen. He relies heavily on his superior athleticism, which allows him to make extra special plays at both ends of the floor. He still has room to develop offensively as he’s not a strong ball-handler or shooter. But he can get to the rim – thanks to his quickness – and he can hit an open shot. Belemene-Dzabatou also uses his athleticism to get rebounds. He has appeared in two Spanish League games this season.

### Spars Sarajevo: Edin Atic

Atic returns for his second ANGT after a very successful individual showing in Rome in 2013 – though his team finished sixth. The small forward was the leading scorer with 21.8 points and second-best rebounder at 9.3 rebounds to go with 1.8 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.2 blocks. The 2.00-meter scorer then had a strong 2014 for Bosnia and Herzegovina, collecting 11.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament before leading the national team in scoring (16.0 ppg.) and rebounding (5.3 rpg.) at the U18 European Championship to go with a tournament-best 2.5 steals as well as 2.4 assists. Atic is an athletic swingman who has no fear of shooting. The elite scorer is quick and explosive, can get to the rim with his good ball handling and can finish. Atic still needs to put on a bit of weight and work on his pull-up jumper to become a more finished product.

## Crvena Zvezda claims NIJT crown!

Hours before the Turkish Airlines Euroleague stars take the same court to play for the ultimate prize, Aleksandar Aranitovic paced Crvena Zvezda with 15 points, while Vojislav Stojanovic and Nikola Rakicevic both scored 9 points in a superb team effort by the first time finalist. Waly Niang was the only effective weapon for Madrid with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Jonathan Kasibabu had 7 points and 8 rebounds in the loss. Crvena Zvezda is the seventh club to win the NIJT title and the second Serbian club to accomplish the feat following FMP’s back-to-back crowns in 2008 and 2009. The victory also ended Real Madrid’s hopes of becoming the first club since CSKA Moscow in 2006 to win the NIJT and Euroleague titles at the same Final Four.

### [Game Info](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2013-14/ijt-crvena-zvezda-telekom-belgrade-ijt-real-madrid/JT13/79/#boxscore)

Madrid went to Niang straight out of the gates and the big man helped open a 6-2 lead. Bratislav Jekovic nailed a triple for Crvena Zvezda to give the Serbian club its first lead at 9-8. Niang was one of the few weapons working for Madrid against a tough Crvena Zvezda defense. And Belgrade moved the ball offensively with Lazarevic and Nikola Rakicevic scoring to give Crvena Zvezda a 13-11 lead after one quarter. Niang completed a three-point play to start the second quarter and scored another basket for a 16-13 Madrid lead. Rakicevic hit Crvena Zvezda’s first basket of the second quarter. Niang put back an offensive rebound and hit a jumper as Madrid went up 22-17. The 16-year-old Aranitovic began to have a bigger impact on the game with a three-ball and a basket as Crvena Zvezda reeled off an 8-0 run for a 25-22 advantage. Niang stopped the spurt, but Vojislav Stojanovic nailed a triple just before the buzzer to give Crvena Zvezda a 28-24 lead at the break.

Aranitovic added two more scores early in the third quarter as Belgrade scored the first 6 points of the half for a 10-point advantage. Niang finally got Madrid on the board after three minutes without a score. Every time Madrid would score, Crvena Zvezda had an answer - from a number of players with Stojanovic, David Miladinovic, Jovan Andelkovic, Rakicevic and Marko Radovanovic all scoring, the latter making it 44-33 late in the third. Guillermo Mulero cut the deficit to 44-35 after three quarters. Jekovic started the fourth quarter with a three-ball and Aranitovic added two more baskets as Crvena Zvezda scored the first 9 points of the fourth quarter. Madrid did not score in the last period until Santiago Yusta hit with 5:44 minutes left in the game to trim it to 53-37. Crvena Zvezda slowed down the tempo offensively to milk as much time as possible and rest for defense. And the Serbian team did not allow another point until Kasibabu’s free throw with 2:10 minutes remaining to make it 53-38. But the game was long over by then.

### 

ANGT Finals 2014 Milan

Hours before the Turkish Airlines Euroleague stars take the same court to play for the ultimate prize, Aleksandar Aranitovic paced Crvena Zvezda with 15 points, while Vojislav Stojanovic and Nikola Rakicevic both scored 9 points in a superb team effort by the first time finalist. Waly Niang was the only effective weapon for Madrid with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Jonathan Kasibabu had 7 points and 8 rebounds in the loss. Crvena Zvezda is the seventh club to win the NIJT title and the second Serbian club to accomplish the feat following FMP’s back-to-back crowns in 2008 and 2009. The victory also ended Real Madrid’s hopes of becoming the first club since CSKA Moscow in 2006 to win the NIJT and Euroleague titles at the same Final Four.

Madrid went to Niang straight out of the gates and the big man helped open a 6-2 lead. Bratislav Jekovic nailed a triple for Crvena Zvezda to give the Serbian club its first lead at 9-8. Niang was one of the few weapons working for Madrid against a tough Crvena Zvezda defense. And Belgrade moved the ball offensively with Lazarevic and Nikola Rakicevic scoring to give Crvena Zvezda a 13-11 lead after one quarter. Niang completed a three-point play to start the second quarter and scored another basket for a 16-13 Madrid lead. Rakicevic hit Crvena Zvezda’s first basket of the second quarter. Niang put back an offensive rebound and hit a jumper as Madrid went up 22-17. The 16-year-old Aranitovic began to have a bigger impact on the game with a three-ball and a basket as Crvena Zvezda reeled off an 8-0 run for a 25-22 advantage. Niang stopped the spurt, but Vojislav Stojanovic nailed a triple just before the buzzer to give Crvena Zvezda a 28-24 lead at the break.

Aranitovic added two more scores early in the third quarter as Belgrade scored the first 6 points of the half for a 10-point advantage. Niang finally got Madrid on the board after three minutes without a score. Every time Madrid would score, Crvena Zvezda had an answer - from a number of players with Stojanovic, David Miladinovic, Jovan Andelkovic, Rakicevic and Marko Radovanovic all scoring, the latter making it 44-33 late in the third. Guillermo Mulero cut the deficit to 44-35 after three quarters. Jekovic started the fourth quarter with a three-ball and Aranitovic added two more baskets as Crvena Zvezda scored the first 9 points of the fourth quarter. Madrid did not score in the last period until Santiago Yusta hit with 5:44 minutes left in the game to trim it to 53-37. Crvena Zvezda slowed down the tempo offensively to milk as much time as possible and rest for defense. And the Serbian team did not allow another point until Kasibabu’s free throw with 2:10 minutes remaining to make it 53-38. But the game was long over by then.

### [Game Info](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2013-14/ijt-crvena-zvezda-telekom-belgrade-ijt-real-madrid/JT13/79/#boxscore)

Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade became the 2014 Euroleague Basketball Nike International Junior Tournament- Milan champion after beating Real Madrid 55-42 in the title game Sunday at Mediolanum Forum. 

Crvena Zvezda claims NIJT crown

IJT CRVENA ZVEZDA TELEKOM BELGRADE v IJT REAL MADRID (2014-05-18T10:00:00.000Z)

### Club Joventut Badalona is the champion!!

This is the first NIJT title for Joventut and it came in great fashion. Joventut won all its games in the tournament by double figures and saved its best performance for the grand finale against its Catalan archrival. The new champion qualified for London by winning the L'Hospitalet qualifying tournament earlier this season and now completed a great season for its youth team. Joventut showed throughout the season that it was an elite team and did so in style. Alberto Abalde led the winners with 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting plus 9 rebounds, followed by Agusti Sans who scored 14 and dished 5 assists. Jose Nogues added 13 points and Marc Bauza tallied 10 with 7 rebounds. For Barcelona Marc Garcia collected 18 points and Adria Cantenys finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds.

### [Game Info](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2012-13/ijt-club-joventut-badalona-ijt-fc-barcelona-regal/JT12/79/#boxscore)

Ludde Hakanson scored half of Barcelona's first 10 points to give his team a 1-point lead, but Abalde took over and collected 9 points by the end of the first quarter, by when his team led 23-19. An 8-0 run by Badalona in the first part of the second quarter pushed the gap to 33-21. Marc Garcia scored from behind the arc for Barcelona to make it 38-26, but Assalit and Abalde replied quickly to give their team a 20-point lead before Cantenys set the halftime score with a shot from behind the arc. Barcelona opened the second half with hopes to come back from the 17-point deficit, but a 15-0 run led by Nogues, Sans and capped by Abalde made it 61-31 with 4:30 to play in the third quarter. Barcelona never managed to climb out of the hole, while Joventut enjoyed every second on the floor and pleased the fans with great plays until the final buzzer.

Also, the All-Tournament team was named. It was formed by Marc Garcia (FC Barcelona Regal), Nedim Buza (OKK Spars Sarajevo), Doko Salic (OKK Spars Sarajevo), Alberto Abalde (Club Joventut Badalona) and Agusti Sans (Club Joventut Badalona). Abalde was also named MVP of the tourney.

### 

ANGT Finals 2013 London

This is the first NIJT title for Joventut and it came in great fashion. Joventut won all its games in the tournament by double figures and saved its best performance for the grand finale against its Catalan archrival. The new champion qualified for London by winning the L'Hospitalet qualifying tournament earlier this season and now completed a great season for its youth team. Joventut showed throughout the season that it was an elite team and did so in style. Alberto Abalde led the winners with 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting plus 9 rebounds, followed by Agusti Sans who scored 14 and dished 5 assists. Jose Nogues added 13 points and Marc Bauza tallied 10 with 7 rebounds. For Barcelona Marc Garcia collected 18 points and Adria Cantenys finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds.

Ludvig Hakanson scored half of Barcelona's first 10 points to give his team a 1-point lead, but Abalde took over and collected 9 points by the end of the first quarter, by when his team led 23-19. An 8-0 run by Badalona in the first part of the second quarter pushed the gap to 33-21. Marc Garcia scored from behind the arc for Barcelona to make it 38-26, but Assalit and Abalde replied quickly to give their team a 20-point lead before Cantenys set the halftime score with a shot from behind the arc. Barcelona opened the second half with hopes to come back from the 17-point deficit, but a 15-0 run led by Nogues, Sans and capped by Abalde made it 61-31 with 4:30 to play in the third quarter. Barcelona never managed to climb out of the hole, while Joventut enjoyed every second on the floor and pleased the fans with great plays until the final buzzer.

Also, the All-Tournament team was named. It was formed by Marc Garcia (FC Barcelona Regal), Nedim Buza (OKK Spars Sarajevo), Doko Salic (OKK Spars Sarajevo), Alberto Abalde (Club Joventut Badalona) and Agusti Sans (Club Joventut Badalona). Abalde was also named MVP of the tourney.

### [Game Info](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/game-center/2012-13/ijt-club-joventut-badalona-ijt-fc-barcelona-regal/JT12/79/#boxscore)

Club Joventut Badalona is the champion of the 2013 Nike International Junior Tournament after a one-sided victory over FC Barcelona Regal, 82-59, on Sunday afternoon at The O2 in London.

Club Joventut Badalona is the champion

IJT CLUB JOVENTUT BADALONA v IJT FC BARCELONA REGAL (2013-05-12T10:00:00.000Z)