01 November, 2022
21 May, 2023

Qualified Teams Focus

Meet the U18 teams that participating in the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League 2023!

Tofas Bursa
  • Turkish club Tofas SC will play host to the inaugural edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League in two venues in the city of Bursa, and the first-ever champions will be crowned on Saturday, April 15 in the Tofas Nilüfer Spor arena.

    "We are always trying to find better games for our young players which are very important to give them real competition and get experience. If you only face Turkish teams it is not a real view of how you are developing. If you play against high level organizations you can see where you are and can gain self-confidence as well as see your strengths and weaknesses. This is a good point to develop players at this age to prepare them for the A-team.
    It is also a big pleasure to host this event for the first time. It gives us as a club more motivation to not only improve our basketball but our whole program and we see that we are on a good path - for the players but also for the organization."

    - Samir Seleskovic, Tofas’ Technical Coordinator youth program and basketball player development coach

     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U18

    Champions 1992, 1999, 2011, 2014


    U16

    Champions 1978, 2001, 2002


    U19 league (started in 2017-18)

    Runners Up in 2021, losing 81-80 in the Final to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in overtime on a buzzer beater.

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Tofas has relied for many years almost exclusively on youth players from the Bursa area. The club in June 2016 opened the Mustafa V. Koc Sports Hall, which spreads out over 5,800 square meters and consists of three basketball courts with baskets up to NBA standards, a fitness center, rehabilitation area and offices. Tofas also during the 2020-21 season started a cooperation with second division club Arkan Gemlik - located about 15 minutes outside Bursa - to serve as a second team where youngsters can play at a higher level.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Ozgur Cengiz | 2005 | PG

    Cengiz played for Turkey at the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021 and FIBA U18 European Championship 2022, the latter in which he helped the country finish in second place. Cengiz has played in six games Tofas’ senior team. He has good court vision and is a team leader with a high basketball IQ. Cengiz has good speed and a good first step. He still must improve his shooting a bit and his decision making needs to be a little better. He wants to do everything which leads to more turnovers.

     

    Program Alumni

    Mehmet Ökur | Kenan Sipahi | Berkan Durmaz | Samet Geyik | Muhsin Yasar | Yigit Arslan | Tevfik Akdamar | Emre Tanisan | Berke Buyuktuncel | Bora Satir | Batin Tuna | Ege Demir

    Yigit Arslan came from the Tofas youth program and played with the club between 2014-2019 and 2021-2022. He is the youth player from the program currently performing best in the European area and in the Turkish National Team. Arslan took part in the squad of the U18 National Team, which won the U18 European Basketball Championship in 2014. He is currently playing for Bahçeşehir College who currently compete in the Basketball Champions League Round of 16.

     

    Yigit Arslan in 2021 for Tofas Bursa, now suiting up for Bahcesehir Koleji from Istanbul in the Basketball Champions League Round of 16.

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  • MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg have become regulars in the Basketball Champions League and also with good success - finishing third in 2021-22 and fourth in 2017-18 and competing in five of the seven seasons over the life of the competition. Ludwigsburg also have made major strides in developing more and more talent over the years.

    "It's an honor to be part of the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League and we are super excited to be traveling to Bursa in April, competing at such a high level. It will be a great challenge for our U18 team and an incredible experience for our players and coaches, as we are expecting tough competition and games that will really help our team to grow and develop."

    - Timo Probst, Youth Coordinator of the club's youth team Porsche Basketball-Akademie

     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U19
    Quarter-Finals 2018, 2019 

    U18
    1st in 2012
    3rd in 2014

    U16
    1st in 2015
    3rd in 2011
    3rd in 2018

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Ludwigsburg was one of the first programs in Germany to have a full-time youth coach back in 1989 with Cäsar Kiersz. But the club’s efforts to improve its youth develop took off in 2009 when Ludwigsburg started their academy with most of the facilities already existing, including two schools, two gyms, outside courts, an outdoor sports stadium, a weight room and cafeterias. The club received access to a new dormitory with monitored living assistance for minors to help their young players who were still in school. The facility allowed Ludwigsburg to attract players outside the region as well. On the court, the club took a major jump in their youth development curve came on January 28, 2020 when the youth team - BSG Ludwigsburg - secured first place in the 2nd Regionalliga fifth division to earn promotion to the fourth division (1st Regionalliga). After taking 11 years to go from the 2nd Regionalliga to the 1st Regionalliga, Ludwigsburg had to wait a full season to play in the fourth division as the 2020-21 season was not played due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite using a youth team - essentially a group of U19 players - Ludwigsburg finished 2nd in the league and then made the major jump to the third division ProB. This season in the ProB, Ludwigsburg are playing with an U21 team and have already secured their spot in the league for the upcoming season.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

     

    Esli Edigin | 2005 | SG

    Edigin is averaging 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 steals in the German U19 NBBL league. He is also collecting 8.4 points on 43.1 percent three-point shooting, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 19 minutes in the third division ProB. He moved to Ludwigsburg from Rhöndorf this past summer and played in Brose Bamberg’s youth ranks. His older brother Eddy Edigin plays for Ludwigsburg’s pro team. Esli was named Best Defensive Player of the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp last summer. He contributed 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds for Germany at the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021. Edigin is a very good athlete and good on-ball defender. He has improved his three-point shot since arriving in Ludwigsburg, but still must develop as a ball-handler and decision-maker.

     

    Program Alumni

    Jacob Patrick | Ariel Hukporti | Lukas Herzog | Johannes Patrick | Besnik Bekteshi | Stefan Ilzhöfer | Tyreese Blunt | Alessio Calamita | Quirin Emanga | Robert Zinn

    Jacob Patrick already has a long history with Ludwigsburg, playing with the club’s youth ranks since his father John Patrick took over as Ludwigsburg’s head coach in 2013. Jacob, who was born in Göttingen, made his professional debut in the German league playoffs bubble in 2020, becoming the fourth youngest player in league history and the youngest player to ever score at 16 years 6 months 19 days (a record that has since been eclipsed). Patrick also played 12 games in the BCL in 2021-22 as an 18-year-old.

     

    Jacob Patrick with MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg at the Basketball Champions League Final Four in 2022.

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  • Bosnia and Herzegovina club Igokea m:tel has been a powerhouse domestically both in the senior and youth competitions. And after competing three seasons in the Basketball Champions League, Igokea will also be playing in the first edition of the YBCL.

    "This is a great thing. It’s an honor to be involved in the first edition of the Youth BCL since we have already played in the BCL for the last three years with the first team. I think this will be a celebration of youth basketball. This is very important for the young players but also for the clubs in the development of their players. We want to come and compete and see how the other teams are because we don’t know them. I hope we just give our best and the players are relaxed because I know they can do things."

    - Vuk Radivojevic, Igokea sports director

     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U19
    BIH | 1st place 2017-18, 2021-22
    Junior ABA | 3rd place 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22

     

    U17
    BIH | 1st place 2018-19, 2021-22, 3rd place 2017-18

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    The youth ranks have been able to use the former first team gym Aleksandrovac since the Laktasi Sports Hall was opened in 2010. Four years ago, the club opened an apartment complex for 20 young players in the club, including a kitchen and 15 rooms. The youth players also have their own weight room. Igokea also has been able to recruit top youth talents away from bigger places, including signing both Ognjen Stanković and Ognjen Radosic from Belgrade. In addition, Igokea will be hosting the 2022-23 Junior (U19) ABA League Final Four.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Ognjen Stanković | 2005 | PG

    Igokea just recently signed Stanković away from Partizan Belgrade. The point guard played for Serbia at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 and averaged 11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, a tournament-best 5.4 assists and 2.4 steals. The Belgrade native came up through the Partizan system and played two seasons in the U18 ANGT competition with the Serbian club. Stanković will be playing mainly for the first team. He has a good character and a good basketball body with length and athleticism. Stanković has excellent leadership skills as playmaker and uses his good height (2.00 meters) to excel at it.

     

     

    Program Alumni

    Dalibor Ilić | Kosta Kondić | Darko Talić

    Ilić spent several years with Igokea, honing his skills and developing his talent in the club's youth program. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising players in the region and was even named captain of the Serbian junior national team, leading them to a the title at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2018.

     

    Dalibor Ilić played for two seasons in the BCL and finished third in the Best Young Player award in 2020-21.

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  • Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem are playing their fifth season in the Basketball Champions League and have twice reached the top eight. The two-time Israeli league champions rely on players from Jerusalem and have been able to produce a couple of national team players. Now they are looking to see where they stand in the Youth Basketball Champions  League.

    "It’s a great opportunity for us to gain some international experience. For the players it’s a great chance to play against European players to get to know how they are in relation to European basketball. So for them it’s going to be a very good experience. And also for us as a club to see how we stand against top European clubs and to see what we do well and what we need to do better. So it’s an excellent opportunity for both the players and us as a club."

    - Daniel Shashar, Hapoel Jerusalem CEO and Professional Development Director, and U18 head coach

     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U18
    Champions 2012

     U16
    Champions 2012, 2019

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Jerusalem three years ago hired a full-time strength and conditioning coach to work exclusively with the youth teams. The Italian Andrea Cavallari has since left the club and works with Hapoel Tel Aviv’s pro team, while the club continued the existing foundation and replaced him with another strength and conditioning coach. In addition, the Jerusalem general manager Yonathan Alon was a long time youth coach in the club and that has helped the cooperation between the pro side and youth ranks.  

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Rom Hitkes | 2005 | G

    Hitkes forms a three-headed monster with Roi Avneri and Yonatan Abouloff. The 1.90 meter guard is fun to watch as a creator who does great things with the ball. Hitkes can blow by his defender and get to the rim, but is also a very good passer. He is the team’s main creator as he averages 16 points per game and more than 6 assists in the Israeli U18 league while shooting 33 percent on three-pointers.

     

    Program Alumni

    Rafi Menco | Adam Ariel | Miron Ruina | Yuval Sznajderman

    Jerusalem native Adam Ariel came up with the Reds and helped the club win the U18 title in 2012. He turned pro with the club, left for Germany for a season and came back to Israel before re-joining Hapoel Jerusalem in 2020. The Israeli national team player left this offseason for Hapoel Tel Aviv.

     

    Adam Ariel suiting up for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the 2021-2022 Basketball Champions League edition.

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  • Lenovo Tenerife have a storied history in the Basketball Champions League, winning the first edition of the competition in 2016-17 and 2021-22, as well as finishing second in 2018-19; and reaching the Quarter-Finals in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Now the club from the Canary Islands is looking to also win the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League.

    "This opportunity is a big step for our youth program. Six years ago, the club changed its direction in terms of the players in our program. It was very clear that we needed to improve many things to compete in national championships. We made a four-year plan to be ready to compete in the national championships, but things went quicker. And as soon as we started to make our program more professional the results followed soon afterwards.
    We think [the Youth BCL] is a great opportunity for the players to grow up in a competition with a high level of different kinds of basketball. They will learn other ways to play and they need to improve every day to compete."

    -  Jose Maria Costa, Sports Director of the Youth Program

     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U18
    8th place in 2021

     U16
    3rd in 2019, 2021

    U14
    2nd in 2022
    3rd in 2018

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Six years ago, the club made a sustained effort to improve the quality of the youth program, trying to have professional coaching and focusing on individual workouts. Tenerife added three physical trainers, one physiologist, a physiotherapist and four coaches. Starting in 2017-18, the club also registered its U18 team to play in the 1st Division of the regional league - one level below the EBA, Spain’s lowest national league. The team won the league in 2018-19, but the club decided against promotion to EBA because it felt the players were not yet ready for the jump in level. With all the work behind them, Tenerife have jumped to sixth place in the Spanish federation’s rankings of club youth systems based on results in domestic championships from 2018 to 2022.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Diego Fernandez | 2005 | SG

    Fernandez has yet to play for Spain though he was on the preliminary roster for the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021, which Spain did not play due to Covid-19 issues. Fernandez made his Spanish ACB debut on January 21, 2023, playing 1:47 minutes against Real Betis. The Adeje, Tenerife native became the second youngest debutant for the Tenerife club at 17 years 4 months and 16 days. The only younger player was Alberto Cabrera at 16 years 6 months 25 days in 2014. Fernandez can score in any situation on the court: attacking the basket or shooting off the dribble or coming off the screens.

     

    Program Alumni

    Alberto Cabrera | Danilo Brnovic | Marc Ivankovic | Musa Sagnia | Nuha Sagnia | Jorge Diaz Graham | Guillermo Diaz Graham

    Alberto Cabrera is a Tenerife native who came up in Lenovo Tenerife system. In 2014, he became the club’s youngest debutant in the ACB at 16 years 6 months and 25 days. Cabrera debuted in the Basketball Champions League in 2018-19, played there the following two seasons as well and also contributed to the club winning the FIBA Intercontinental Cup title in 2020. Cabrera is currently playing in the third division LEB Silver.

     

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  • Nymburk have been part of the Basketball Champions League from the very beginning in 2016-17, competing every season in the competition. The Czech powers have won the domestic league the last 19 years (15 of those seasons winning the league-cup double), and also have produced strong performances in the BCL. They reached the Round of 16 the first two seasons and the Final 8 in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Now the club hopes to see where it stacks up at the international youth club level.

    "It is a great honor for our club, and at the same time for the entire city and region to participate in the Youth Basketball Champions League. The boys from the small town of Nymburk have the opportunity to play with some of the best teams from all over Europe and this is great for their further player development. For me as the head coach and the entire implementation team, it will be new experiences in the never-ending process of self-education, so we are very happy that the YBCL was created and we are looking forward to the tournament.
    "It will be a great tournament full of youth basketball at the highest level. The organization of the entire event is already at a top level and we believe that it will be the same in the games, where I expect very aggressive and fast basketball to be played. We will have to adjust with our young team. This year's tournament may be a disadvantage for us, as we have players mainly from 2006, but if we participate in the tournament in the coming years, we can already say that the players will have more experience with such a tournament and that will only be good."

    -  Jan Kosar, Nymburk Academy Head Coach and U19/U23 Head Coach

     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U19
    Second Place - 2011/12, 2012/13, 2015/16, 2017/18

     U17
    First Place - 2014/15, 2016/17

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    The club’s youth program was founded in 1998 but its modern history began in 2010. At first as Youth Basketball Center in cooperation with the city and region, then in 2014 as Basketball Academy Nymburk. The year 2015 was important for the club’s youth development. That was when the team became one of four youth high performances centers (VSCM) in the country. That meant the club had professional coaches for the youth with an A license, certified physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches. The club also cooperated externally with a certified nutritionist as well as Nymburk’s hospital and Locomotor System Treatment Center in Prague.
    The club in 2015 also opened a boarding school for players from outside of Nymburk where the players live together for 9-10 months a year and have a kitchen and a common room to spend time together.
    The club also has a cooperation with two schools so the youngsters have options in terms of education. And the boarding school is a 5-minute walk to the practice gym and both schools. In addition, in 2015, the club’s second team - a U23 squad - made the jump from the Czech third division to the second division.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Peter Kovacik | 2005 | PG

    Kovacik is spending his second season with the club. The point guard has already represented Slovakia a number of times at the youth levels. He averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.5 steals at the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021 and then collected 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 steals at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2022 Division B. This season he is averaging 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.2 steals in the U19 league. Kovacik is also collecting 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists with Polabi in the Czech second division.
    He is a smart player with an excellent overview of the game. Kovacik has a very good shot and plays well in his role. In general, he is a team player but he can also be selfish at times.

     

    Program Alumni

    Matej Svoboda | Lubos Kovar | Ondrej Hanzlik | Frantisek Rylich | Filip Novotny | Eduard Kotasek | Dominik Heinzl | David Novak

    Svoboda came to Nymburk from Ostrava when he was 16 years old in 2012. He would debut in the BCL in 2016-17 and is currently playing for Czech top flight side Decin, averaging 16.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

    Matej Svoboda suiting up for the Czech Republic, 2016 FIBA U20 European Championship - Division A.

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  • Rytas have been one of the biggest forces in Lithuanian basketball for many years along with archrival Zalgiris Kaunas. They have won six domestic league titles - including last season for the first time since 2009-10. Rytas also have captured two Lithuanian cup crowns and two EuroCup trophies. Rytas are spending their third season in the Basketball Champions League, advancing to the Round of 16 in 2021-22. At the youth level, Rytas have won two U18 ANGT titles in 2012 and 2018 and reached the final in 2009. Now the Lithuanians will be out to take the first-ever YBCL trophy.

    "We really waited for this youth international tournament, because Rytas have had this idea since joining Basketball Champions League, and now we are happy to see that it’s actually happening. It’s a really big step forward for the league and the clubs. It gives them extraordinary experience and provides an environment to test their youth strength on the international field with other young talents from different countries."

    -  Mindaugas Noreika, Rytas Youth Program Manager

     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    Note about Rytas system: both the SKM (Sostines krepšinio mokykla) and VKM (Vilniaus krepšinio mokykla) basketball schools are a part of Rytas’ youth program.   

    U15
    2016-17: VKM 3rd place
    2017-18: VKM 1st place, SKM 3rd place
    2018-19: SKM 1st place
    2019-20: SKM 1st place, VKM 3rd place in regular season - season was stopped by Covid-19   
    2020-21: SKM 1st place
    2021-22: SKM 1st place

     U16
    2016-17: SMKA 3rd place (later on SMKA connected with VKM school)
    2017-18: VKM 1st, SKM 3rd
    2018-19: SKM 3rd place
    2019-20: VKM 1st place in regular season - season was stopped by Covid-19   
    2020-21: SKM 2nd place
    2021-22 SKM 1st place, VKM 3rd place - Rytas had four players on the Lithuania team that won the FIBA U16 European Championship 2022 - Kristupas Smirnov, Nedas Raupelis, Matas Buteliauskas, Steponas Zilakauskis

    U17
    2016-17: VKM 1st place
    2017-18: VKM 1st place
    2018-19: VKM 1st place 
    2019-20: SKM 2nd place in regular season - season was stopped by Covid-19   
    2021-22: SKM 2 place

    U18
    2017-18: VKM 1st place
    2018-19: VKM 1st place
    2019-20: VKM 2nd place in regular season - season was stopped by Covid-19
    2020-21: SKM 1st place, VKM 3rd place 
    2021-22: VKM 3rd place

    - 4 times in a row SKM was named best boys basketball school in Lithuania (2019-2022)

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    A new youth training center opened in Vilnius in 2022 to host the first NBA Academy in Eastern Europe. The NBA Basketball School, which will be run by the Vilnius Basketball School, aims to provide the best facility for young basketball talents to develop. On top of the access to that facility, Rytas also have built a pyramid with three different teams for every league level - LKL, NKL and RKL - allowing for youngsters to play multiple levels.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Nojus Kuliesa | 2005 | PG

    Kuliesa will come to the tournament with a lot of experience at the high level. He played for Lithuania at the FIBA U16 European Challenger 2021 and averaged 2.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The 1.85 meter point guard then helped Lithuania reach the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022, averaging 1.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists. His best game was in the Quarter-Finals against Poland in which he collected 3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Kuliesa is a good floor general and team player. He also shoots well from long range.

     

    Program Alumni

    Jonas Valanciunas | Martynas Gecevicius | Arturas Jomantas | Stepas Babrauskas | Eimantas Bendžius, Evaldas Kairys | Gytis Radzevicius | Margiris Normantas | Deividas Sirvydis | Marek Blazevic | Azuolas Tubelis | Augustas Marciulionis

    Jonas Valanciunas came up in the Vilnius basketball ranks and started playing professionally at just 16 years old. He debuted with Rytas on the pro level at still 17 in 2010. He won the EuroCup Rising Star award in 2012 and was named to the All-EuroCup First Team, also winning the Lithuania LKL league MVP in 2012 - at 20 years of age. Valanciunas was selected fifth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and debuted with the Toronto Raptors in October 2012. The FIBA European Young Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012, Valanciunas also helped Lithuania to the title at the FIBA U19 FIBA Basketball World Cup 2011, winning the MVP trophy.

    Jonas Valanciunas, currently playing for the New Orleans Pelicans, in the 2022 edition of the FIBA EuroBasket.

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  • Herzliya captured the imagination of the basketball world last season when they won the Israeli State Cup and reached the domestic playoffs Finals after knocking off Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Semi-Finals. Founded only in 1985, the still young club is now looking to make its first major journey into the continental youth stage.

    "We feel it’s a great opportunity for us to be part of such a great event for the first time. I’m sure it will be a great opportunity for our players to grow as individuals and us as a team. We don’t know the level of the other teams but I’m sure it will be very competitive for us and we are very excited. All of us - me and our players. We feel great to be part of it."

    - Idan Lankri, U18 Coach and Herzliya Club Sports Director


     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U15
    Final Four - 2022


    U18 affiliated team
    High school championship - 2012

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Herzliya’s special recent development started five years ago with the so-called Super Group. The club selects six players from each of the three age groups 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18 for a total of 18 players. The players get 90 minutes of training a week with the practices divided into two parts. The first section is basketball techniques - shooting and passing. The second is a strength and conditioning session with the club’s physical coach. The players also receive a monthly meeting with a sports psychologist and sports nutritionist.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Alon Michaeli | 2005 | PF

    Michaeli has played with Herzliya’s pro team four times this season in the Israeli Winner League, combining for 6 minutes with no other stats. He plays predominantly in the U18 team, though he practices twice a week with the senior team. Michaeli has played twice for Israel internationally: averaging 3.7 points and 3.7 rebounds at the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021 and then collecting 1.1 points and 2.4 rebounds at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2022. He is a good outside shooter and can also put the ball on the floor. The forward also possesses the ability to play in the low post.

     

    Program Alumni

    Tal Burnstein | Yaniv Green | Oden Brandwin | Ori Ichaki

    The 35-year-old Oden Brandwein came up in the Herzliya youth system 20 years ago and played for many different teams in Israel over the years, including Maccabi Tel-Aviv in 2021-22. He also spent three seasons in Poland and finally returned to the team of his youth last summer.

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  • UCAM already have a history with the Basketball Champions League, playing in the competition for a third season following 2017-18 and 2018-19. The Spanish team reached the Final Four in their debut campaign and lost 77-75 in the Semi-Finals to hosts AEK Athens before bouncing back to take third place. The club’s youth system has been an attractive destination for young internationals looking to develop their game. Now, the Murcia club leaders hope the youngsters can show they belong at the elite level at the youth ranks as well.

    "For us, participating in the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League is an honor and a privilege. Without a doubt, it is a unique experience, which will help us to continue developing our young talents and continue to put the name UCAM in a good place internationally."

    - Juan Antonio Martinez, Sports Director of Youth Teams at UCAM Murcia
     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    Murcia’s top recent finish at the U18 youth level in Spain was seventh place in 2020-21.

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Murcia’s biggest step in youth development came in 2019 when Sito Alonso took over as first team head coach. The former Spanish youth national team playcaller works with some of the club’s top players and overall has helped the club professionalize the youth academy. Murcia recently opened a new scholarship residence which provides more space to the players, who have all the facilities needed for development, including nutritional services. Murcia also incorporate a physical preparation service in the mornings for the players, headed by Tomas Freitas, a strength and conditioning coordinator who is also with the UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Jose Tomas Martinez | 2005 | F

    Tomas plays for Murcia’s U18 team at the regional level as well as the club’s second team in the EBA fourth division. He is averaging 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in the EBA this season. Tomas has represented Spain on the international level, playing last summer in the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup Qualifiers. He is a fantastic long range shooter who also has an excellent physique that allows him to play above the rim. Tomas in addition takes up a lot of space on the court and stands out for his competitiveness.

     

    Program Alumni

    Noah Churchill | Izan Almansa | Jose Ortega | Carlos Toledo | Villiam Garcia | Wilhelm Falk

    Noah Churchill played seven games for Bakken Bears in the Basketball Champions League this season, his first year back in his native Denmark after spending two seasons with Murcia. The 20-year-old, who totaled 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 48 minutes in the BCL, left Bakken’s youth system in 2020 and joined the Spanish club, where he played predominantly in the EBA fourth division. But the point guard, who is the great-grandson of former British statesman Winston Churchill, made his Spanish ACB league debut in the 2020-21 season. Churchill also advanced to the Danish senior national team already in 2021, collecting 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in his most recent game in February 2023 against Slovakia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers.

     

    UCAM already have a history with the Basketball Champions League, playing in the competition for a third season following 2017-18 and 2018-19. The Spanish team reached the Final Four in their debut campaign and lost 77-75 in the Semi-Finals to hosts AEK Athens before bouncing back to take third place. The club’s youth system has been an attractive destination for young internationals looking to develop their game. Now, the Murcia club leaders hope the youngsters can show they belong at the elite level at the youth ranks as well.

    "For us, participating in the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League is an honor and a privilege. Without a doubt, it is a unique experience, which will help us to continue developing our young talents and continue to put the name UCAM in a good place internationally."

    - Juan Antonio Martinez, Sports Director of Youth Teams at UCAM Murcia
     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    Murcia’s top recent finish at the U18 youth level in Spain was seventh place in 2020-21.

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Murcia’s biggest step in youth development came in 2019 when Sito Alonso took over as first team head coach. The former Spanish youth national team playcaller works with some of the club’s top players and overall has helped the club professionalize the youth academy. Murcia recently opened a new scholarship residence which provides more space to the players, who have all the facilities needed for development, including nutritional services. Murcia also incorporate a physical preparation service in the mornings for the players, headed by Tomas Freitas, a strength and conditioning coordinator who is also with the UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Jose Tomas | 2005 | F

    Tomas plays for Murcia’s U18 team at the regional level as well as the club’s second team in the EBA fourth division. He is averaging 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in the EBA this season. Tomas has represented Spain on the international level, playing last summer in the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup Qualifiers. He is a fantastic long range shooter who also has an excellent physique that allows him to play above the rim. Tomas in addition takes up a lot of space on the court and stands out for his competitiveness.

     

    Program Alumni

    Noah Churchill | Izan Almansa | Jose Ortega | Carlos Toledo | Villiam Garcia | Wilhelm Falk

    Noah Churchill played seven games for Bakken Bears in the Basketball Champions League this season, his first year back in his native Denmark after spending two seasons with Murcia. The 20-year-old, who totaled 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 48 minutes in the BCL, left Bakken’s youth system in 2020 and joined the Spanish club, where he played predominantly in the EBA fourth division. But the point guard, who is the great-grandson of former British statesman Winston Churchill, made his Spanish ACB league debut in the 2020-21 season. Churchill also advanced to the Danish senior national team already in 2021, collecting 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in his most recent game in February 2023 against Slovakia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers.

  • Filou Oostende is one of the few clubs that has participated in every season of the Basketball Champions League since its start in 2016-17, advancing from the Regular Season for the first time in 2019-20. The Belgian powerhouse is a therefore just a logical participant to appear in the YBCL's inaugural edition.

    "For our young players of the Oostende COREtec Basketball Academy (the YBCL) means another level. We have been playing at a national level with our U18/U21 teams, and even play with them in the third division in Belgium. But an international level was limited until now to youth contacts such as USA colleges on tour or individual invitations or some international tournaments. The YBCL gives them the opportunity to face a higher level and an international level of high standard. Our players train every day, play two games a week and most of them live at our dorms. They already live a rather professional life, but the reality of a higher level will show them exactly where they are at that moment. Some of them are playing with national teams, but of course with your own teammates playing matches is completely different."

    - Jurgen Vanpraet, CEO Filou Oostende
     

    History of the Program | Domestic Success

    U18
    Belgian Champion | 2016,2017,2018,2019
    Belgian Cup | 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019

    U16
    Belgian Champion | 2017
    Belgian Cup | 2018

    U14
    Belgian Cup | 2018

    2nd Team
    Champion in Second Division | 2018

     

    Recent Youth Developments

    Oostende’s “Basketball School” started in 1994 with a project similar to the Ajax Amsterdam football academy. Current professional team head coach Dario Gjergja arrived at the club in 2011, and Oostende took a big leap in professionalism in 2012 with results starting to show in 2014. The COREtec Basketball Academy includes 20 players from ages 16 to 20, competing at the U18 and U21 levels as well as the third division. The academy is closely connected to the first team with Coach Gjergja showing an interest in developing the club’s young players. Once they are ready, Gjergja brings the players in to practice or play with the first team. The first team and youth players share the same buildings, fitness area and gym. The players have dorms as accommodation next to the gym, which also includes a fitness room. The players also work with the club’s physical coach and physiotherapist. The U18 players also study at the Athena Oostende school, which is located about 1 kilometer from the facility.

     

    YBCL Player to Watch

    Jarne Elouna Eyenga | 2006 | PF

    Elouna Eyenga, born on December 31, 2006 playing for Oostende’s U18 team, has also already played for Belgium’s youth national team. He collected 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds as Belgium finished third at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2022 Division B to earn promotion to Division A. He is a tall and physical player who works hard. The 2.03 big man has a great touch and feel for the game. He can shoot, pass and finish strong around the basket.

     

    Program Alumni

    Keye Van Der Vuurst De Vries | Servaas Buysschaert | Quentine Serron | Roby Rogiers | Thibault Vanderhaegen | Xander Pintelon | Jesse Waleson | Noah Tchendjou | Salim Kediambiko | Matteo Verstraete| Tim Lambrecht

    Keye Van Der Vuurst De Vries arrived from Netherlands in 2017 - still at age 15. The playmaker would eventually start playing for Oostende’s first team in 2018-19 and debuted in the Basketball Champions League in 2020-21. He made his first appearance with the Netherlands senior national team in November 2018 - a month shy of his 17th birthday. Van Der Vuurst won’t turn 22 until December and he already has made 45 appearances for Oostende in the BCL.