The NextGen Finals, the premier global club-level junior basketball event, will feature eight participating teams.
The lineup includes:
- Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (winner of NextGen Ulm)
- FC Barcelona (winner of NextGen Bologna)
- France Pole INSEP Paris (winner of NextGen Belgrade)
- Next Generation Team 3SSB
- Etoile Rouge Belgrade
- Real Madrid
- Zalgiris Kaunas
- Panathinaikos Athens
Collectively, the clubs competing in the NextGen Finals have secured a remarkable 12 continental U18 titles, including nine of the last eleven. Zalgiris enters as the defending champion, having claimed the crown last year in Abu Dhabi, marking their third title after victories in 2007 and the inaugural tournament in 2003. Real Madrid boasts an impressive five titles (2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024). INSEP has been crowned champion twice, in 2010 and 2017. Barcelona triumphed in the 2016 European championship, and Etoile Rouge secured their sole title in 2014.
Fans can follow the competition on the Euroleague YouTube channel, with 12 group stage games scheduled over the first three days (Thursday, May 21st to Saturday, May 23rd) at the Sunel Arena. The tournament will culminate on Sunday, May 24th, with the final between the winners of the two groups, taking place at the Telekom Center Athens as a curtain-raiser to the Euroleague final.
This season marks the 24th edition of the NextGen tournament. The competition has served as a stepping stone for numerous basketball stars, including future talents like Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, Deni Avdija, Kristaps Porziņģis, Domantas Sabonis, Vasilije Micić, Nikola Milutinov, Jean Montero, Donatas Motiejūnas, Goga Bitadze, Jonas Valančiūnas, Egor Demin, and Maxime Raynaud, among others.
