The second Adidas Next Generation Tournament qualifier starts this Friday, in the capital of Serbia. Eight more teams will compete for a spot in the finals, after Real Madrid left Podgorica victorious. Four countries (Serbia, Israel, Spain and Italy) will compose this second qualifier, plus the usual Next Generation select team, with players from all around the continent.

Crvena Zvezda

The hosts had a great run last year, led by Nikola Topic, one of the big names for this year’s NBA Draft. Without the scoring guard, it will be Andrej Kostic the one to pick up the baton and try to get Zvezda to the finals. The 6’6 guard will look to be a scoring threat, especially from the perimeter, while keeping his teammates involved. The 6’11 Stefan Marjanovic is a year younger than most of his piers, but will be bring size and rim protection to the Serbian team. A mobile center with good instincts around the rim, he’ll definitely be a name to watch. The same case can be made for Andrej Lucic, who was also born in 2007 and counts with two previous participations at the ANGT stage, last season. A guard that likes to get downhill to finish at the rim and control the pace of the game. Aleksej Nedeljkovic and Novak Pavlovic are the younger guys on the team, both born in 2008.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

An underwhelming performance in Munich last year shouldn’t translate to this season’s qualifier, as Milan comes back with most of his best players. Diego Garavaglia was one of the main guys in Italy’s run this summer, that saw them finish second at the U16 European Championship. A strong 6’7 wing that likes to get to the rim and is developing a good outside shot. Samuele Miccoli continues to be a household name in this tournament, playing in his third qualifier. He’s a scoring guard, who will have control of the ball and find ways to get to his spots and get his shot off, on all three levels. Achille Lonati was also one of the best performers for Italy’s U16 team this summer and his playmaking and pick and roll play will be important for Milan’s aspirations. Denis Badalau was the most consistent player for this team a year ago, with his constant movement off the ball and transition leak outs. A high-activity player on both sides of the ball, with a great ability to finish inside at 6’6. 7-footer Luigi Suigo will provide the size at the basket and a great rolling and lob target. A long center that moves well and can defend in space.

FC Barcelona

Barcelona did well last year, finishing behind rivals Real Madrid in the group stage of the Kaunas finals. With most of their roster coming back, they will be one of the favorites. Kasparas Jakucionis will control the tempo and everything the team does offensively, after a very positive performance at the Basketball Without Borders camp. He’s a great outside shooter, having proven that last season and a methodical player on pick and rolls, while also providing great pressure on the ball as a defender. Dame Sarr is a complete scorer, always ready to look for his shot after the catch. Athletic and quick at 6’6, he’ll be one of the most interesting wings in Belgrade. Both Sarr and Jakucionis have already debuted in Euroleague this season. Arturas Butajevas moved to Catalunya this season and will provide his team with some hot shooting off the ball, at 6’9, after a great U16 display this past summer. Another player who arrived this season to Barcelona s Mathieu Grujicic, having participated in an ANGT qualifier last season for ALBA Berlin. A player that can mix up his rim attempts with some shooting, with great off-ball activity and the ability to get out in transition. The younger guys for Barcelona will be their big men, 6’10 Abdrahamane Kone (2009-born) and 6’11 Sayon Keita (2008). Two long and athletic big man, Kone more reliant on strength as a rim protector and inside finisher, while Keita is a longer and mobile athlete that works well as a lob threat.

Hapoel Yehuda Tel Aviv

In their first ever participation in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Hapoel will look to prove they belong in the competition. Joul Karram is the team’s big man and biggest hope. The 6’10 center is a difficult matchup inside, with his great touch and strength, combined with his impeccable rim protection. Alon Rachlin was born in 2007 but he’s one of the most important player for Hapoel Yehuda. A good player on both ends, can provide some buckets from the perimeter, shooting at a good rate, but also defend with aggressiveness. Aviv Henkin is a long wing, able to get inside to finish, but still an interesting shooter with enough volume to be a threat. Born in 2008, Ari Amiel will be one of the youngest in the competition, acting more as a playmaker and someone that likes to have the ball in his hands.

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Omer Mayer headlines a talented Maccabi roster, after a great summer with the U18 national team. With crisp passing from the guard position, he’s also a skillful scorer inside and out. Can handle the ball with a high usage rate and create for himself and others. Aviel Mamo had a strong showing last summer at the U16 European Championship and will look to do the same in a club setting. A good inside finisher that can hit some threes and go for offensive rebounds from the wing position, his size and athleticism should help Maccabi. Yaron Goldman will play his second ANGT qualifier, after being present in Zadar last year. An outside shooter that can hit shots from anywhere, but also provide some (efficient) rim pressure. Should be one of the main guys offensively for the Israeli team. 6’9 Tamir Gold brings size to Maccabi’s frontcourt. An interesting play finisher, with good mobility and some intriguing passing chops. Fresh off his 16th birthday, Iftah Shalmon will be the youngest player for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Mega MIS

One of the biggest talent factories in Europe, Mega will look to continue to showout their group of players. Abdramane Siby is the star of the team, at 7’0, with great mobility and length. An inside finisher that can go up after the catch and someone who has been developing a driving game and his outside shot. Will be one of the main defensive anchors in Belgrade. A complete scorer, Ognjen Srzentic will have the ball in his hands a lot. Much better as a driver and pick and roll creator, but with some development as a shooter that make him a tough player to guard from the win at 6’7. He’s still 16 years old. Petar Milosavcevic is on his third year competing in the ANGT. Also a versaile scorer that can provide buckets inside and out, he will be more focused on shooting the ball, but can take the opportunity to get to the rim for easy finishes. With two players from the 2008 generation – 6’3 Vuk Danilovic and 6’7 Nikola Karalic – Mega will have a deep squad with two really interesting debutants. Danilovic is an impressive scorer, incredible ability to create with the ball in his hands and get to comfortable spots on the floor. Karalic offers size, defensive aggressiveness and shooting from the wing position.

Next Generation Team Belgrade

It’s another star-studded compilation of players for the select team. Neoklis Avdalas headlines the team, a magnificent passer and on-ball defender, who has made great strides as a shooter and inside finisher. With great size and build, he plays like a guard in the body of a wing and should have the ball in his hands and freedom to create. Aleksa Stanojevic will make his debut at ANGT. A talented 6’8 forward that can shoot the ball from three and attack closeouts, comfortable putting the ball on the floor and finishing at the rim. The Finnish Olavi Suutela is back for his third appearance, the first with the select team. A patient center with high IQ, likes to play from the high and low post, able to score or facilitate. Knows how to get his shots, is really hard to stop, getting to the line with ease and is really good on the boards, on both sides. Also in his third year at ANGT, Tymoteusz Sternicki brings his outside shooting as a 6’8 forward. Can get to the basket and finish plays off cuts, but it is as a shooter that he feels most comfortable. Imran Suljanovic is back with the team, after playing in last year’s Belgrade qualifier. One of the most talented wings in Europe, with his creation ability from the post and perimeter, always looking to get inside with his advanced handle. The athletic Armandas Bancevicius will debut on this stage. A good finisher, using his bounce and length, Bancevicius impresses with his off-ball rim protection, ability to bother shots and stay with players on the perimeter. Ivaylo Skrinski was a big part of Bulgaria’s seond-place finish this summer at the U16 Euro – Division B. A playmaker that likes to have the ball in his hands and control the pace of the game, able to play the pick and roll but also shoot from the outside when the opportunity presents itself. And don’t forget Jamie Edoka, the 2008-born German who has a knack to score the ball and find teammates.

Partizan Belgrade

Savo Drezgic is back from the USA just for this tournament, returning to DME Academy after that. One of the most sought out players of his generation, his playmaking and three-level scoring will be key for Partizan, who comes in with a talented and somewhat experienced roster, but a bit lacking in guard play. The 7-footer Aleksa Dimitrijevic is as skilled as they come at the center position. Can play inside and out, using his size to finish or to shoot over defenders. At his size, he’ll be one of the premiere shot blockers at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. In his third appearance at the ANGT for Partizan, Stefan Plisnic is another big man who can score at the rim but also come out to shoot the ball, at 6’11. Really good at getting to the free-throw line. The Romanian Luca-Ionut Illes is a solid and confident shooter, able to space the floor and make defenses pay with his range. Can handle the ball a bit but is much more of a shooter. Djordje Sekularac is a knock down shooter at 6’6. Takes most of his shots from behind the arc, able to hit off the catch and off movement. High IQ player, who can really pass the ball. Lucas Nikola Bojovic, Uros Mijailovic and Jusuf Karisik are the three 2008-born players for Partizan.