DEBRECEN (Hungary) - The senior team, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, are firmly established as a stalwart club in the Basketball Champions League, having played six of the eight seasons and reaching the Final Four on two occasions, in 2018 and 2023. 

The academy of the club, Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg, played in the inaugural season of the Youth BCL, finishing sixth. They are back again and for head coach Kheeryoung Rhee returning to the event is more than just a way to develop his players on the court.

"The biggest plus in participating in such a tournament is to give our players the chance to compete against other top programs from different countries," he said.

"Seeing different kinds of players, different kinds of teams, different kinds of basketball philosophies, and most importantly different kinds of cultures are the crucial benefits of such a tournament," Rhee clarified.

Last year's event had such a positive impact on his team, that returning was in itself a goal for Rhee and the Ludwigsburg program.

"Ever since we have come back from the first Youth BCL  tournament, our players have had exponential leaps in terms of basketball and personality growth," he said.

"This again, is something we are trying to obtain from the upcoming YBCL  tournament."

On the floor, this academy team will look to carry that famous brand of basketball associated with the senior team and even up the tempo from their last outing. 

"We are physically even 'younger' than last year, I would say," said Rhee.

"Our pace is probably faster than last year, so it will be a lot more interesting to watch our games.

"Quick decision-making, high pick-ups, and a focus on ball movement - these are the traits defining our playing style," he explained.

Youth BCL Players to Watch

Travis Davis | Date of Birth: April 7,  2007 | PG

Point guard and captain Travis Davis cuts a diminutive figure on the court next to the giants but he makes up for it in character and basketball IQ.

Davis is the brains of this Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg team and already averaged 9.3 points playing a year young last time out. We should expect even more output this time around.

Bulgarian guard Stanislav Hinkov is a national team regular. Both he and his younger brother Dani are likely to also be standout players for Porsche BBA.

Program Alumni

Ariel Hukporti on the Ludwigsburg senior roster in the 2018-19 season

Jacob Patrick | Ariel Hukporti | Lukas Herzog | Johannes Patrick | Besnik Bekteshi | Stefan Ilzhöfer | Tyreese Blunt | Alessio Calamita | Robert Zinn | Nico Santana Mojica | Mateo Seric | Gianni Otto.

The Ludwigsburg Academy has already provided the German basketball ecosystem with numerous talents, but the return to the club of Ariel Hukporti really made waves this week.

The 2.13m center is one of the club's finest exports and will be looking to make a huge impact on the season as Ludwigsburg hope to make their third BCL Final Four.