BURSA (Turkey) - Don't be shocked if Tofas SC end up claiming the title at the inaugural Youth Basketball Champions League. Not only will the club have the home court advantage but they also have the winning history of guard Arda Konuk's family.

Tofas grabbed an 80-68 victory over Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg to open their play in Group B then fought past BC Rytas 95-87 in overtime for a 2-0 record on Day 1. After picking up 9 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist against Ludwigsburg, Konuk tallied 2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in the second game of the day.

That puts the host side in the driver's seat early on to finish in the top two of the group and reach Friday's Semi-Finals.

"Our goal, individually and as a team, is to always finish at the top. I fully believe that we can become the champion," Konuk said.

The Bursa native helping Tofas to big things would fit right in line with his family's history.

Father Murat Konuk is considered a legend in Tofas basketball as he played a major role in the club winning back-to-back Turkish league and cup doubles in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 along with Steven Rogers, Asım Pars, Slaven Rimac, Rashard Griffith, David Rivers and Mehmet Okur. Those remain the club's only two league titles.

Arda's older brother Mert Konuk, in fact, was part of the team's celebrations. A famous picture in Tofas' annuls has a months old Mert Konuk sitting on the trophy in 2000.

Murat Konuk holding Mert Konuk on the trophy in 2000

Mert Konuk was right in the mix for the club's next run at history, playing for the 2017-18 Tofas team that reached the Turkish Cup Final - and lost to Anadolu Efes Istanbul - and the Turkish BSL Finals - where they lost 4-1 to Fenerbahce. He also played in eight BCL games in the 2020-21 season, totalling 7 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists in 30 minutes.

Mert Konuk playing in the BCL in 2021

"I think our family means a lot to this club," Arda Konuk said. "There was always a family member in the two championships and the other final series, and that's a meaningful thing," Arda said.

Arda Konuk was 13 years old when the club made its runs to the finals back in 2018.

"I was young then, but I still remember a lot of things. Even that we were pretty sure we would beat Efes in the cup Final,” he said of the 78-61 loss.

Now it's Arda Konuk's turn to make history with Tofas SC.