GBA (Get Better Academy), an International Basketball Academy based in Czech Republic is renowned for developing young talent into professional players has sent over 100 players to USA college and professional basketball careers including Euroleague contracts.
Their development programmes have become a hub for refining the skills of National teams players from across Europe including Serbia, Spain, Latvia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, Ireland, the Bahamas, Israel, Poland and more.
The programme is spearheaded by Julian Bekto and benefit from his experience of high profile positions in Europe and the USA including; Champions Academy (Indiana), working with high school players, college players, European professionals and NBA professionals. Julian Betko has also worked as Assistant Coach with the Boston Celtics and also individually with numerous NBA and Euroleague players on individual skill development programmes which the GBA players benefit from.
GBA players to watch out for at the Future Stars International U18 tournament include:
Ivaylo Skrinski, Guard, Bulgaria
Ivaylo Skrinski is the definition of a tough guard with a competitive edge that never fades. He combines the instincts of a playmaker with the scoring punch of a natural shooter. His game has already made a mark at the youth international level and within GBA’s senior program. At the 2025 FIBA U18 European Championship in Division A he averaged 15.1 points and 3.3 assists per game, proving that he can score and facilitate against the best young defenders in Europe. That production placed him among the top scorers in the tournament and underscored his ability to carry an offense.
What makes Skrinski stand out is his feel for tempo. He can break down defenders off the dribble, create clean looks for teammates, or step into a shot with confidence. His team leading assist numbers for Bulgaria’s U18 squad show that he is not only a scorer but also a willing creator for others. His aggressive mentality allows him to take over stretches when needed, putting constant pressure on opponents with drives and jumpers.
Inside GBA’s top men’s team Skrinski has already earned valuable experience. As a teenager he practiced and suited up with the GBA Lions in the Czech NBL, bringing energy as a guard who could give quality minutes at the professional level. That early exposure to senior competition has accelerated his growth and prepared him for the physicality and speed that most players his age are only beginning to understand. Coaches and teammates note his work ethic and presence in the gym before and after practice. He is a tone setter for GBA and the heartbeat of the program’s backcourt.
Kristijonas Stračkaitis, Wing, Lithuania
Kristijonas Stračkaitis is a Lithuanian wing with a shooting stroke that demands attention the second he crosses half court. He is often described as a pure scorer, but what elevates him is the composure and confidence he brings to every possession. His mechanics are smooth, his footwork is precise, and his release is lightning quick. He plays with a calm surface and a ruthless competitive streak just beneath it that punishes defensive mistakes.
In the Czech U19 Championship Finals he showed that calm killer mentality throughout GBA’s title run and earned a place on the tournament’s All Star Five. He can drill threes off the catch, pull up in rhythm, or attack a closeout and finish with control. His soft touch extends from deep beyond the arc to crafty floaters in the lane. Every possession with Stračkaitis on the floor carries the threat of a scoring burst.
Defensively he embraces the battle. He works on every possession, stays engaged in rotations, and uses his size and length to contain both guards and wings. At 1.98 meters he has the frame of a true two way wing. Within the GBA program he has been a reliable presence who adapts to different lineups and roles. His ability to score in bunches gives GBA a weapon few academies can match, and his steady defense rounds out a complete profile.
Marek Zvolánek, Forward, Czech Republic
Marek Zvolánek embodies the prototype of a modern forward. At 2.01 meters he blends size, athleticism, and versatility. He is strong enough to battle inside, quick enough to defend on the perimeter, and skilled enough to step out and knock down shots with confidence. Few players his age combine those elements so naturally.
His breakout came during the U19 national championship run where he played a central role in GBA’s road to the title and was named to the All Star Five in the finals tournament. That success was built on consistency and leadership. Zvolánek has been part of the GBA system for four seasons, refining his game each year and growing into one of the program’s trusted leaders. His development was further validated with a spot on the Czech Republic U20 National Team in Division A, where he appeared in all seven games at the 2025 European Championship and proved his tools translate against top competition.
Zvolánek has also begun contributing to GBA’s top men’s team in the Czech NBL, carving out minutes as a reliable backup big. As an 18 year old in the 2024 to 2025 season he gained first hand exposure to the physicality and pace of professional basketball. Those opportunities have sharpened his toughness and decision making. Coaches value his adaptability. He can space the floor with timely shooting, slide to guard smaller wings, or be a physical presence in the paint. He takes on whatever role is needed and executes with poise. With his length, athleticism, and skill, he is positioned to keep climbing as a standard bearer for the new generation of Czech forwards.
For the full tournament schedule click here.
