Adidas Next Generation Tournament, possibly the best youth club tournament in Europe, is back! Played for the first time in Podgorica, the first qualifier takes place this weekend and Eurohoops Scouting will be present at the event. Before it starts, we’ll give you a rundown of the main prospects to watch in the next three days of basketball in the Montenegrin capital.
ALBA Berlin
ALBA surprised analysts and fans last year in Munich by getting to the third and fourt place game, ending up losing by three. Jack Kayil and Linus Ruf were an exciting pair last year, but while Ruf is no longer eligible to participate, Kayil move to Rasta Vechta. Amon Doerries was probably their third best player and has a chance to make a name for himself in Podgorica. Standing 6’8, Doerries scored 11 points per game last year on 52% from 2, while being in the 82nd percentile in free-throw attempts and contested field goals made. A tough shot maker with great size and an improved shooting motion. His frontcourt partner will be Nevio Bennefeld, who got some run last year despite being only 16 years old. Now more developed physically (listed at 6’11), his mobility and shot blocking prowess will be on display, while his outside shooting may provide important spacing for ALBA. Speaking of outside shooting, Anton Nufer had a great qualifier last season in that regard and will look to do the same. He shot 46.7% on almost four attempts a game last year in Munich, both off trhe catch and off movement. Dorian Grosber is part of a renewed Luxembourg basketball era, acting more as a playmaker and facilitator, with good length on the defensive end. Had 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals last year in the qualifiers. Finally, Matheo Hermann will be one to follow as he makes his debut at ANGT. Athletic guard, looks to attack off pick and rolls, isolation and closeouts, trying to find space inside, but also able to stop from the perimeter and hit shots.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
Mark Morano and Ian Lazarevski headline a team looking to capitalize on their young guys. Morano was the main man for Slovenia this summer in the U16 European Championship. A wing with great scoring instincts, can get to the rim and stop from mid-range or the perimeter and hit pull ups. Really talented offensive player who should see a lot of the ball in Podgorica. Ian Lazarevski is an impressive playmaker for his age. At 6’8, he’s a pick and roll handler who attacks the paint and finds teammates on the dunker spot or outside. Uses his body to get to the basket and finish above or around defenders, having a height advantage against most guys guarding him. Can hit from three, with space, off the catch. Derin Can Ustun arrived at Cedevita from Bahcesehir and has made an immediate impact. A downhill guard, likes to attack the paint and finish around defenders with long strides. Can hit the three and won’t hesitate to shoot, although he’s much more likely to try to get inside. Active defender, uses his energy and quickness to poke at the ball and come away with steals. Big man Samba Gueye and strong wing Oskar Kuzman are the youngsters on the roster, both born in 2008.
Cholet Basket
Cholet finished last year’s Patras qualifier in third place, beating the Next Generation Team convincingly in the final game. Soren Bracq already has ANGT experience and has been playing consistent minutes with the Espoirs team. More of a shooter (shooting 44% from 3 this season), he isn’t afraid of having the ball in his hands and create some offense off pick and rolls. Registered 3.5 assists in last year’s qualifiers and has 2.5 this season with the U21 team. He’s also a gritty defender, puts pressure on the ball and looks to be aggressive on the defensive side of the floor. Gabin Lefort is also a floor spacer who is hitting on 42% of his threes. Showed that prowess last year as well, going 6-12 from three and proving to be a smart cutter on top of that. Romain Valakou will have his first ANGT experience. The lengthy wing is an opportunistic scorer who tries to find ways to get behind the defense to score and will take any opportunity to run out. Athletic wing Boubacar Traore and big man Lucas Rapini were both born in 2008 but are a part of Cholet’s roster. But the main surprise should be Aaron Towo-Nansi. Born in 2009, his ability with the ball in his hands to create space off pick and rolls and isolation is intriguing and he should be someone to keep an eye on, should he play.
FC Bayern Munich
Bayern will look to leave a better image than they did last season, playing at home. Ivan Kharchenkov, who missed last season’s qualifier due to injury, is Bayern’s biggest hope. Already with German Bundesliga and Euroleague experience under his belt, he has been tearing German Pro B apart, with 21.2 points and 4 assists per game. A strong wing at 6’6, Kharchenkov gets most of his baskets getting inside off pick and rolls and isolations, but he can definitely shoot and will not hesitate to do so. Ivan Volf and Desmond Yiamu were two of the few bright spots for Bayern last year. Volf is a complete player, can shoot and drive, finding teammates with consistency. Good energy, never stops moving and uses that on the defensive end as well. He’s hitting close to 42% from 3 on 4.5 attempts per game in the German Pro B. Yiamu is a never-ending fountain of strength and will. Despite his size – only 6’6 as a center – he had 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds last season at ANGT. Active on the boards, he never lets opposing centers rest on the defensive end. Good finisher at the basket. Nikolas Sermpezis shined for Greece in the U16 European Championship last summer with his perimeter shot making and timely drives to the rim. His scoring will be well received by a Bayern team that will need every point they can get. Andrija Susic is a 2008 guard that gets to the rim at will and has a good package of finishes, but most of the attention will be on the other 2008-born from Bayern – Namik Muratovic. At 7’1, his size impresses. With a lot still to develop, he has some mobility and his size can create problems to opposing teams.
Next Generation Team Podgorica
Borna Katanovic headlines a young NGT team that will have Petteri Koponen on the sidelines once again. After his MVP performance at the U16 European Championship – Division B, Katanovic has been getting consistent minutes in the Croatian league, with 12.5 points (shooting 44.4% on 4.5 attempts from 3), 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals. Standing 6’6, he has a strong frame that allows him to get inside and take on contact. Shooting the way he’s been doing just adds a complete feel to his offense and makes him a great weapon to have on that side of the floor. Jack Kayil moved to Rasta Vechta at the start of the season and will have the opportunity to go against his former team in the first game. One of the best players in last season’s Munich qualifier, Kayil was above the 90th percentile in points, 3-point field goal percentage and fouls drawn. Complete offensive player, he is a blur getting to the rim and protects his shot and his outside field goals have improved in volume and efficiency (shooting above 35% in the German Pro A). Has 3 assists per game this season. A 16.9 points per game scorer for Iceland at the U16 Division B in the summer, Kristoffer Bjorgvinsson is a difficult player to stop on his way to the rim. Crafty ball handler and finisher, he went 56.8% from 2 on more than ten attempts a game this past summer. Doesn’t force any shot, avoids shot blockers and has excellent touch. Eleftherios Liotopoulos will participate in his third ANGT tournament. After a great summer at the U18s, he seems ready to be one of the leaders of the team. A great marksman from the perimeter, Liotopoulos won’t be hesitating to let his shot fly, while moving well off the ball. Finished the summer with 14.9 points per game. The Argentinian Ivan Prato may be the most skilled big on NGT select team. Measuring 6’10, he can finish inside and hit open threes off pop outs or off the catch. At his size and wingspan, he can provide rim protection for his team’s last line of the defense. Gabor Lukacsi had a solid summer with Hungary. Playing as a playmaker, his passing was on point at 4.7 assists. Patient and comfortable with the ball in his hands, he has the ability to find teammates in live dribble situations. Good pick and roll reader, is able to get inside when the defense gives him an opening. Eurohoops Showcase alum Giannos Xanthopoulos will also be part of the select team. Listed 6’10 by ANGT, his physical tools are impressive. Fluid athlete, plays from the perimeter, can create some offense with his dribble, getting inside but also shooting from the perimeter. Has an above 7 foot wingspan.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been dominating the Adidas Next Generation Tournament the last few years, winning last season as well. With a roster that brings back most of the main contributors from last season, the reigning champions are the clear favorites. And it starts with Hugo Gonzalez. One of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft, Gonzalez was the MVP of the Munich qualifier and will be, once again, Real Madrid’s main man. A complete wing at 6’6 and with a respectable frame, he’s able to score on all three levels, but it’s his driving and at the rim finishing that sets him apart. His rugged defense make him one of the best all-around players of his generation. Egor Demin‘s two-way play is a big part of this Madrid team. He shot 42.9% from three in the qualifiers and finals combined last season, on more than 5 attempts a game. Off the dribble or catching off a drive, Demin’s tantalizing shooting motion is as beautiful as it is efficient. A great point of attack defender, the Russian takes pride in his defense and is a tough opponent to any player trying to get inside. He’s number 3 on our 2024 rankings, one of the most coveted prospects in Europe. Mitar Bosnjakovic is the swiss-army knife of the team. At 6’6, he’s able to guard up in size, usually facing taller power forwards and holding his own. A really good perimeter and post defender, the Serbian spaces the floor on offense and shows his versatility on that side of the floor, with his ability to hit perimeter shots off the catch (shot 42% last season in Munich) or attack closeouts. Was a big part of Serbia’s U18 European Championship victory this summer. In his third year at ANGT, 7-foot Ismaila Diagne will assume a bigger leadership role. With more than a handful of games for Real Madrid’s senior team, both in Liga Endesa and Euroleague, his rim running and board attacks offer this team a great presence inside. His shot deterrence will also be appreciated by a team who always ranks high defensively. Declan Duru missed last year’s qualifier in his home country due to injury, but will be available in Podgorica. A strong frame at 6’7, Duru likes to play from the perimeter and attack the rim. Averaged 12 points and 10.1 rebounds at the U16 European Championship, helping Germany finish fifth in the tournament. Part of the All-Star Five of the tournament, Gildas Gimenez had a pretty good summer for Spain, with 14.4 points and 7 rebounds, helping his national team reclaim the gold (including a 29-point game in the semi-finals. A long forward with perimeter skills who likes to attack from the perimeter and get inside, Gimenez has been developing an interesting outside shot as well and is an intriguing off the ball defender. 6’9 Ilia Frolov provides size and shooting touch and Andrej Bjelic will bring his sharpshooting, both born in 2008. Born in 2009, 6’11 Mahamadou Landoure is also part of the preliminary roster for Real Madrid, an incredible inside force with length.
SC Derby Podgorica
After a 15.8-point and 9-rebound showing at the U18 European Championship – Division B that earned him a spot in the All-Star Five, David Mirkovic has been a consistent contributor for SC Derby’s senior team. A strong player at 6’9, his post creation and outside shooting jumps out, as does his inside touch. Should be the home team’s main performer in his third appearance in two years at ANGT. Got 12.5 points and 7.9 rebounds at last year’s Belgrade qualifiers and Kaunas finals. 6’11 Maruan Cicic will be the team’s biggest presence inside. An interesting screener and roller, Cicic is also a good rebounder, especially with the way he goes after offensive boards. After scoring 15.9 points, combined with 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals at the U16 European Championship, Vladimir Komnenovic arrives at Derby as a loanee and will be the team’s main guard. High activity player on both ends, unselfish and always looking to push tempo and find ways to get to the basket. Vuk Ivelja (2008 born) had a good stint with the U16 national team in the summer, with 10.6 points on 36.7% from three. Balsa Mugosa and 6’8 Maksim Brnovic complete the 2008 trio.
Umana Reyer Venice
Pietro Ianuzzi headlines an Italian team looking to do better than last year in Belgrade. A knockdown shooter, Ianuzzi went for 21.5 points in that qualifier, shooting 38.3% from three on almost 12 attempts per game. Now with some minutes played in the Italian League and Eurocup, he will lead his team, with more on-ball repetitions and an improved game. On loan from Napoli, where he has already debuted in Serie A, Stefano Saccocchia brings scoring to Umana Reyer. A capable shooter, Saccocchia gets to the rim well and is comfortable on and off the ball. Federico Natale offers inside scoring and fight for rebounds. Measuring 6’7, he’s a good finisher around the basket, moving well without the ball to find good shooting opportunities. Unselfish player, keeps the ball moving and finds teammates. Had 2 assists a game last year in Belgrade. Petar Kuzmanic moved from Bassano to Venice this season. At 6’9, his size impresses, as he’s able to score at the basket after dump offs and attack rebounds. Does a great job of sealing defenders inside for some easy scores. 2007 Francesco Eramo is one of the team’s younger guys, but will participate in his second ANGT. A 6’4 guard that plays off the ball, he’s constantly moving and cutting behind defenses. Really good at getting inside and finding a pass to a teammate, both inside and outside.