MIES (Switzerland) - Hungarian basketball legend Kornel David will be formally unveiled as Youth Basketball Champions League 2024 ambassador during the tournament's draw event, on March 11.

The draw for the second edition of the pan-European club competition for U18 teams will take place in the host city, Debrecen and will be livestreamed on the official BCL YouTube channel.

The 52-year-old David, who remains until today the only Hungarian player to have had an NBA career, highlighted the importance of the opportunity that the Youth Basketball Champions League represents for the U18 players that will compete in Debrecen.

"As a player, I always welcomed the challenge of playing against other countries and clubs from different backgrounds. It is always a measuring point to know where you stand individually in your career, and representing your club and country is always an honor," the former Hungarian international explained.

"The competition will be exciting, and being the best as a team and celebrating victories together is an unforgettable experience and motivation for young players for the future," he added.

David, a polished power forward whose senior national team career spanned nearly 13 years, was a driving force behind the Hungary's return to the final round of FIBA EuroBasket in 1999, following a 30-year wait for the nation.

"I have been following youth basketball and I am impressed with the knowledge and skills that young players can show," says Kornel David

He is, nonetheless, full of praise for the young generation of players and expects them to shine bright in April in Debrecen

"I have been following youth basketball closely and I am impressed with the knowledge and skills that young players can show at such a young age. They are open to learning and studying, and they follow closely all European competitions and their stars," David said.

"Basketball has never been so global, and this could motivate them to put more effort into reaching their potential in the near future. Comparing them to my times would not be fair, as the world and circumstances are different.

"However, one thing that never changes is hard work, effort, humbleness, and enjoying the game in a competitive way. These will always give you the chance to be successful, as a team first, and individually."

The second edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League has expanded to include 13 teams from nine countries, compared with 10 teams in its inaugural edition.

Igokea m:tel were the champions of the inaugural edition of the Youth BCL, in Bursa

The field of contenders comprises AEK (GRE), Basketball Academy Nymburk (CZE), BK Opava (CZE), EWE Baskets Juniors (GER), Galatasaray (TUR), Hapoel Jerusalem (ISR), Igokea m:tel (BIH), Lenovo Tenerife (ESP), Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg (GER), Promitheas Patras (GRE), Rytas Vilnius (LTU), Team Debrecen (HUN) and Tofas Bursa (TUR).

The tournament's full game schedule will be set at the March 11 draw.

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About Basketball Champions League
The Basketball Champions League is an innovative joint partnership between FIBAClubCo and 11 top European leagues. It is a fair competition based on sporting principles with teams qualifying through national leagues.

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