The NextGen Finals, the premier global club competition for junior basketball, will feature eight participating teams. Among them are:
- Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (winner of NextGen Ulm)
- FC Barcelona (winner of NextGen Bologna)
- Pôle France INSEP Paris (winner of NextGen Belgrade)
- Next Generation Team 3SSB
- Crvena Zvezda Belgrade (Red Star Belgrade)
- Real Madrid
- Zalgiris Kaunas
- Panathinaikos Athens
Collectively, the clubs competing in the NextGen Finals have secured 12 continental U18 titles, accounting for nine of the last eleven championships. Zalgiris enters as the defending champion, having claimed the title last year in Abu Dhabi, marking their third championship after previous wins 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 won the European championship in 2016, while Crvena Zvezda secured their sole title in 2014.
Fans can follow the competition on the Euroleague YouTube channel, with 12 group stage matches 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 group winners, held at the Telekom Center Athens as a curtain-raiser to the Euroleague Final.
This season marks the 24th edition of the NextGen competition, which has served as a launching pad for numerous basketball stars. Notable alumni who have transitioned into future NBA and European stars include 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.
