The ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT make its third stop in the Lithuanian basketball hotbed Kaunas from Friday, January 16 until Sunday, January 18 in search of another qualifier to the finals during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Madrid next May.

The Kaunas qualifying tournament is loaded with four former European junior champions – Zalgiris Kaunas, CSKA Moscow, Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius and INSEP Paris – as well as a fourth team – Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul – that reached the championship game. The other teams competing in Kaunas will be FC Bayern Munich, USK Future Stars Prague and VEF Riga. The winners from two groups will move into the final and the winner of that game will clinch a spot in the eight-team finals in Madrid from May 14 to 17. Stellazzurra Basketball Academy Rome and Real Madrid have already secured berths in the Finals after winning the Rome and L’Hospitalet qualifying tournaments, respectively.

The biggest question in Kaunas will be if any team can beat Zalgiris at home. Zalgiris, whose juniors won the continental title in 2003 and 2007 and reached the finals in 2005, 2006 and 2011, went undefeated in the Kaunas tournaments at Zalgirio Arena in 2012 and 2014. But Zalgiris has not been all about home cooking, either. Its junior team lost to Lietuvos Rytas in the final in 2013 in Siauliai after having lost to Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the 2010-11 L'Hospitalet tournament and having won the 2009-10 Rome qualifying tournament.

Zalgiris has been teamed in Group A with Bayern, INSEP and Prague in Group A. Bayern Munich is playing in its second ANGT tournament, having competed in Rome last season. INSEP will be competing in Kaunas for the first time after playing in Rome the last five seasons, and reaching the final in 2009-10 en route to its 2010 ANGT title in Paris. USK Future Stars Prague comes back to Kaunas for a second straight season after losing only to Zalgiris in group play in 2013-14. Prague went winless in Belgrade in 2012-13 and Kaunas in 2011-12 after going 1-2 in group play in Belgrade in 2010-11 and losing to Union Olimpija in the 2009-10 London final.

Group B features CSKA, Fenerbahce, Lietuvos Rytas and VEF Riga. CSKA is still the only team to win three straight ANGT titles – in 2004, 2005 and 2006 – but the Russian squad has struggled in recent years to compete for a spot in a qualifying final. CSKA did go 2-1 in group play in Siauliai in 2012-13 but then was 1-2 in Kaunas last season. Fenerbahce, which reached the 2012 ANGT final, will play in Kaunas for the first time after winning the Rome final in 2010-11, reaching the Rome final the next two seasons and then going 1-2 in group play in L'Hospitalet last season. The 2012 champion Lietuvos Rytas was second in group play in Kaunas last season after beating Zalgiris in the Siauliai final. Vilnius won the L'Hospitalet qualifier before winning the ANGT crown in the 2011-12 season. The Lithuania giant also won the L'Hospitalet qualifying tournament in the 2008-09 season before losing in the ANGT final to FMP. VEF Riga has been consistently improving in the ANGT qualifying tournament, losing only to finalist Khimki in 2011-12 and then beating eventual Siauliai champ Lietuvos Rytas in 2012-13 group play but losing on the tiebreaker after a defeat to Topsportschool VBL. Last season, the Riga team's only loss came in the Kaunas final to Zalgiris.



Kaunas to host loaded field in next ANGT qualifying tournament

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### ASVEL Lyon Villeurbanne: Amine Noua

Noua was fourth in scoring at the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship with 18.7 points and his 8.4 rebounds placed him among the top 10, too. France’s 2.02-meter power forward 62.2% from two-point range, though he struggled from the free throw line at 42.9%. The previous summer he helped France reach the U17 Worlds by averaging 6.2 points and 7.2 rebounds at the U16 European Championship. Noua has a strong body which he uses well around the basket and knows how to utilize it to his advantage with mismatches inside. He is not known for his outside game, but he is smart and has a good basketball IQ on both ends of the floor. Noua rebounds well on offense and defense and can also pass the ball well.

### Baloncesto Seville: Carlos Hidalgo

Hidalgo will be the leader of the Seville team after Diego Gallardo and Maxim Salash moved on from the team that won the qualifying tournament in Rome last winter and played at the Finals last May in Milan. Hidalgo averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.1 steals last season in the competition, including 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, a Finals-high 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals in Milan. The 1.84-meter guard did not make the Spanish national team for 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, though he averaged 1.5 points for the title-winning Spain team at the 2013 U16 European Championship. Hidalgo is an excellent shooter from mid-range and the perimeter. He can score points in bunches and has a knack for drawing fouls. Despite his size, he is a solid rebounder and also can run the game well from the point guard position. Hidalgo is not an elite defender, but he possesses quick hands.

### FC Barcelona: Stefan Peno

Peno is back for his third L’Hospitalet tournament after averaging 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 2013 and then 5.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 2014. The 1.93-meter point guard is a proven winner, having helped Serbia to two podium finishes during the summer of 2014 - silver medal at the U18 European Championship and third place at the FIBA U17 World Championship. He averaged 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists at the U18 Euros and 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and a tournament-high 3.4 assists at the U17 Worlds. Once a prolific scorer, Peno has turned himself into a prototype point guard. He has great court vision and a flair for the dramatic; he tends to wow observers at least once a game. But that also leads to occasional unnecessary turnovers. Peno, who has made one appearance with Barcelona in the Liga Endesa this season, possesses a great understanding of the game and while he’s not a great shooter, he definitely can score if needed and plays strong defense.

### FIATC Joventut Badalona: Xabi Lopez

Lopez will be playing in his second L’Hospitalet tournament, though he is coming off a summer in which he struggled with Spain at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, where he averaged 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists and hit just 19.4% of his three-pointers. The 1.98-meter small forward is considered to be an elite shooter, but he couldn’t find his rhythm at that event. Lopez took a step forward last season, going from 5.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals at the 2014 L’Hospitalet tournament to 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals at the Finals in Milan in May. More than just a great shooter, he also is quick enough to slash to the basket, though he’s not a great finisher. Lopez can still use some strength, but he rebounds well for his position and he’s a more than adequate defender.

### Galatasaray Istanbul: Berkay Kansu

Kansu will be playing in his first ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT event. The 1.91-meter guard has not yet played for the Turkish youth national teams. He’s thought to be a smart player who can play both guard positions and excels in the pick-and-roll game. Kansu is a great penetrator, but not a great shooter. He has good size and athleticism and is a good on-ball defender.

### CB L’Hospitalet: Marc Ruf

Ruf will be playing in his second L’Hospitalet tournament after averaging 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds last winter, including 14 points against Brose Baskets Bamberg. The 2.04-meter center is L’Hospitalet’s main weapon in the post. He has been selected for the Catalan junior national team in the past. He is the son of Carles Ruf, who came up in the Joventut system and played for Ram Joventut and Valvi Girona in the ACB in the 1980s and 1990s. Marc has a good shot and is a good passer for a big man. He has good size and can use it around the basket.

### Real Madrid: Jonathan Barreiro

Barreiro is one of the best players of his generation and will be playing in his third edition of the L’Hospitalet tournament. The 2.02-meter forward averaged 5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 2013 and then was one of Madrid’s leaders last winter, averaging 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists, including 20 points in the L’Hospitalet title game victory over Unicaja Malaga to send Madrid the Finals in Milan. But Barreiro missed the Milan tournament with an injury, which also kept him from playing for Spain at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship. Barreiro, who appeared in two Euroleague Top 16 games for Madrid last season, is a smooth player who has a complete offensive game with a consistent outside shot, drive to the rim, good handle and good understanding of the game. He’s a true leader, who will be extra motivated to play at the Finals this time around.

### Union Olimpija Ljubljana : Blaz Mesicek

Mesicek is playing at his second L’Hospitalet tournament after averaging 8.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists last winter. The 1.96-meter guard played this past summer for Slovenia at the U18 European Championship Division B, where he averaged 9.9 points and 3.8 rebounds. In 2013, he impressed at the U16 European Championship Division B with 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals. Mesicek is a lefty guard who can get into the lane and finish, but also has an excellent shooting touch from outside. He’s a tough guy, a fighter who will do anything needed to win. Despite a still light frame, he doesn’t shy away from contact – also near the basket – which helps him get a high number of free throw attempts. He’s averaging nearly 18 points this season in the second division in Slovenia. Mesicek still lacks consistency on defense, but he has the tools to be a good defender.

Players to watch: Torneig Ciutat de L'Hospitalet, 2015

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Since its inception over a decade, the international junior tournament series organized by Euroleague Basketball has been a launching pad for a great many future stars. This season’s ADIDAS NEXT GENERATION TOURNAMENT will be no different, starting with the first event of the season, the Torneo Città di Roma. The eight teams headed to the Italian capital boast several players to have already distinguished themselves at the junior levels – and one to have already made his Turkish Airlines Euroleague debut! Learn more about the players to watch this weekend in Rome:

### Stellazzurra Basketball Academy Rome: Andrea La Torre

The fourth time’s a charm, at least that’s what La Torre is hoping. The 2.02-mter swingman will be playing in his fourth ANGT and has gotten better each winter. He went from 2.5 points and 2.8 rebounds and a team fourth-place finish in 2011 to 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals and fifth place in 2012 to 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 steals and second place last December. La Torre will be called upon to lead Stellazzurra. He helped Italy win the 2014 Albert Schweitzer Tournament and started for Italy at the Under-17 World Championships over the summer in Dubai. La Torre is a smooth lefty, who can shoot from outside and drive to the basket. He’s trying to become a point guard, which would make him extremely valuable at his size. Defensively, La Torre is not a factor and still needs to work on that side of the ball.

### Brose Baskets Bamberg: Leon Kratzer

Kratzer is back in the ANGT after a strong performance at the L’Hospitalet tournament last season, where he averaged 15.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.25 blocks and 1.25 steals. The 2.08-meter center will actually be playing in his third ANGT after collecting 6.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in the 2012-13 campaign in Rome. Kratzer, who was Germany’s second-leading scorer (9.6 ppg.) and rebounder (8.8 rpg.) at the 2013 U16 European Championship, is a big man with good rebounding instincts, especially on the offensive glass. He was named to the 2015 All-Star Game for the U19 NBBL league, and although he struggles from the free throw line, Kratzer has a knack of getting to the charity stripe with his efficiency around the basket. Kratzer is not overly athletic, but he moves well on defense, has a feel for blocking shots and has quick enough hands to pick up steals.

### Maccabi Teddy Tel Aviv: Dragan Bender

Bender returns to the ANGT for a second time – this time with a new team. He played for Cedevita Zagreb at Belgrade last season and had a huge third-place game against Mega Vizura Belgrade with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks for a performance index rating of 34. For the Belgrade tournament, he averaged 6.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks. The versatile 2.12-meter forward had a huge U18 European Championship for third-place Croatia, averaging 14.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.2 blocks to make the All-Tournament Team. Bender had 34 points and 14 rebounds vs. Lithuania and just missed triple-doubles against Latvia and Greece. There’s really not much Bender can’t do. He’s a great rebounder and passer, he can shoot from outside and drive to the lane. Bender has been playing on loan this season for Israeli second division team Ironi Ramat Gan, where he is averaging 10.7 points, 8.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks.

### Cedevita Zagreb: Lovro Mazalin

Mazalin’s prospect status is like a Brazilian footballer; he can almost go by his first name alone. Lovro is a flat-out winner. The 2.01-meter forward is making his third ANGT appearance – and second with Cedevita. He starred for Cibona Zagreb in Siauliai in 2013 with his all-around game, averaging 24.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Last season for Cedevita, the smooth lefty averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks. Mazalin struggled a bit at times as an underclass player with Croatia at the 2014 U18 European Championship, but stepped up in the third place game with 24 points and 5 rebounds to help Croatia reach the podium. In total, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Mazalin has the complete package, with the ability to drive the lane and shoot from outside. He is a good passer and dribbler, though defensively he is not elite. Lovro practices solely with Cedevita’s senior team – with whom he has played in seven Turkish Airlines Euroleague games and nine Adriatic League contests so far this season.

### Armani Juniors Milan: Davide Moretti

Moretti is the son of former Italian international Paolo Moretti, who won a silver medal at EuroBasket 1997. The 1.80-meter guard will be playing in his second ANGT, having helped guide Stellazzurra Basketball Academy Rome to the Rome final last winter. The 1998-born shooting guard averaged 8.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals at that tourney. This past summer, Moretti was the leading scorer for Italy at both the U17 World Championship and the U16 European Championship. He made his Serie A debut this season, playing for his father and coach, Paolo Moretti, at Giorgio Tesi Group Pistoia at age 16 years and seven months. The junior Moretti has a strong pick-and-roll game and is a good shooter. He also can drive to the basket and has a good knack for finishing.

### Virtus Bologna: Roberto Vercellino

Vercellino will be playing at his first ANGT in his second season with the Bologna club. The 2.02-meter forward played last summer at the U17 World Championships in Dubai and averaged 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds. The 17-year-old has already made his debut in the Serie A. Vercellino competed at the Jordan Brand Class in Barcelona, has a long frame and has good instincts on defense; he averaged 2.0 blocks and 1.8 steals last season in Italy’s U17 championship. He also showed his versatility with 9.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. Vercellino has a good inside game, can shoot a bit from outside and also handle the ball well for his size.

### Unicaja Malaga: Romaric Belemene-Dzabatou

Belemene-Dzabatou will be playing in his third ANGT after averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 2012-13 in Rome and then 6.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last winter in L’Hospitalet. The 2.02-meter forward will be extra motivated after struggling in the L’Hospitalet final against Real Madrid, making just 1 of 12 shots for 2 points, 2 turnovers and a performance index rating of -8. Belemene-Dzabatou, who was born in Congo, is an impressive physical specimen. He relies heavily on his superior athleticism, which allows him to make extra special plays at both ends of the floor. He still has room to develop offensively as he’s not a strong ball-handler or shooter. But he can get to the rim – thanks to his quickness – and he can hit an open shot. Belemene-Dzabatou also uses his athleticism to get rebounds. He has appeared in two Spanish League games this season.

### Spars Sarajevo: Edin Atic

Atic returns for his second ANGT after a very successful individual showing in Rome in 2013 – though his team finished sixth. The small forward was the leading scorer with 21.8 points and second-best rebounder at 9.3 rebounds to go with 1.8 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.2 blocks. The 2.00-meter scorer then had a strong 2014 for Bosnia and Herzegovina, collecting 11.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament before leading the national team in scoring (16.0 ppg.) and rebounding (5.3 rpg.) at the U18 European Championship to go with a tournament-best 2.5 steals as well as 2.4 assists. Atic is an athletic swingman who has no fear of shooting. The elite scorer is quick and explosive, can get to the rim with his good ball handling and can finish. Atic still needs to put on a bit of weight and work on his pull-up jumper to become a more finished product.

Players To Watch, Torneo Citta di Roma, 2014

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