The main philosophy at Future Stars is to create a platform where the most talented British players can compete against top talent from leading European programmes. After hosting superstars like Dario Saric, Jan Vesely, Tomas Satoransky, Rudy Gobert and Nicolo Meli our bar is set incredibly high, but we feel that this year’s edition should not disappoint even the most demanding fans of junior basketball. All invited teams have an incredible experience in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) and the players that they are bringing to Future Stars are the creme de la cream of this generation of European basketball talent.
Read our preview of the players to watch from our visiting teams at this years Future Stars International Tournament taking place at Brunel University, London from 1st to 3rd September 2023.
Porsche Ludvigsburg, runner up of the Future Stars in 2019 will be led by a host of international stars. Their backcourt looks particularly impressive featuring Stanislav Hinkov (2006), a versatile SG who represented Bulgaria at both U16 and U18 level. He will be supported by his younger brother Daniel Hinkov (2007) who also represents Bulgaria on the U16 level and Dutch National team player, Dominic Mack (2007). Travis Davis (2006) will be mainly responsible for the ball distribution while Tom Stoiber will provide the strength under the basket.
Stella Azurra the perennial participant of the ANGT will also bring an array of incredibly talented international young stars. Under the basket will dominate Prince Lumena (205cm) from Congo (2007) an incredibly physically gifted rebounder and shot blocker. Lumena will be supported by the very athletic Bulgarian SF Deyan Kolev (202cm. 2006). At the perimeter versatile Uruguayan guard Valentin Curbelo (197 cm, 2007) and Italian guard Mattia Santinon will be mainly responsible for the ball distribution.
Zalgiris Kaunas is one of the few true hotbeds of junior basketball in Europe, where for decades coaches develop the purest talent which later becomes the core of the senior team playing in the Euroleague or progress to the NBA.
The Lithuanian powerhouse will bring a very talented team with a particularly strong backcourt led by Dovydas Buika (194 cm), Mantas Juzemas (200 cm), Thomas Bassong (198 cm) and Jokubas Rubaitis (192) who will be mainly responsible for marshaling the team.
Their inside game will largely depend on two ferocious rebounders and very good finishers around the basket Nedas Raupelis (204 cm) and Avtandil Bakthadze (204 cm).
For more information on the tournament please click here.
