Future Stars 2008 expanded to include the first Future Stars International U18 Tournament alongside the Future Star Coaching Clinic. This combination of events proved extremely succesful and it was evident that Future Stars was here to stay.
Future Stars International Tournament London
On Sunday 6th July, the Czech Republic emerged as winner of the Future Stars 2008 basketball tournament organised by Richmond upon Thames College. In the final, the Czech Republic and Poland created a thrilling spectacle, which delighted an audience in Kingston College’s Arena. For the entire first half both teams traded basket and no team had a bigger lead than 4 points. Towards the end of the third quarter, the Czech Republic took a 10 points lead which proved to be decisive. The Poles made a frantic effort to cut the deficit but their every effort was matched by crucial baskets from Jan Vesely, Tomas Satoransky and superb point guard Jakub Kudlacek who never lost his control of proceedings on the court. The final results were Czech Republic 97 and Poland 90 points.
In the 3 / 4 place game, Unicaja Malaga was suffocated defensively by the Slovenian National team which was within striking distance from delivering the surprise of the tournament. With 1 minute and 30 seconds left on the clock, Slovenia had a 4 points lead and looked very uncertain against Malaga’s aggressive defence. However, steady leadership from Uros Zadnik won the day for Slovenia with a score of 70-63 but certainly Malaga can be proud of their brave efforts.
Zalgiris and Richmond upon Thames College Select were paired together in 2 leg competitions to avoid the last place in the tournament. In the first game on Saturday 5th July there was nothing to separate both teams and the game went to over-time. The Richmond team managed to hold their nerve and accurate shooting from Oliver Robinson, Henry Wilkins and Gary Miles allowed Richmond to finish on the right side of 103-95 results. The second game was played the following day and proved to be an equally close but far more defensively orientated encounter. Zalgiris held a 67-64 victory, which was still too small a margin to prevent a jubilant Richmond team from claiming 5th place.
Jan Vesely from the Czech Republic was the unanimous winner of Most Valuable Player award.
Future Stars Coaching Clinic London
Rchmond upon Thames College in conjunction with the Basketball Coaches Association (BCA), England Basketball (EB) and FIBA Europe hosted Future Stars 2008 which attracted 105 coaches from the UK, Poland, Iceland, Israel, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Ireland.
Sergio Scariolo, formerly of Unicaja Malaga, was the returning featured speaker. His insightful presentations on screening away from the ball were not only very informative but showed the latest thinking and methodology at the highest level of basketball.
Through our partnership with FIBA Europe, Serbian coach Aleksandar Trifunovic, formerly of Lietuvos Rytas (2007-08) but now with Panionios of the Greek A1 league, was also able to join us.
Coach Trifunovic’s lively clinics were inspirational and once again, the delegates were made aware about the vital attention to detail that is an ongoing theme at the highest levels of European basketball.
Finally, a head coach from one of the teams participating in the International Junior Tournament, also spoke to the conference delegates.
Rade Mijanovic, Slovenian Under 18 team and the Head Coach of Helios in the Slovenian Pro League gave an informative presentation on Transition Offence and showed some interesting continuity strategies which were demonstrated by his team.
Richmond upon Thames College would like to thank everyone who was involved in the Future Stars 2008 event. The conference was part of a most successful and enjoyable weekend and one that will further solidify the Future Stars event and date in the basketball calendar.
To view video from the 2008 events click here.