Dubai to host EuroLeague Next-Gen Tournament qualifier

Get ready to witness basketball history unfold as Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena transforms into the ultimate hoop haven for the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) Qualifier in Dubai from Friday.

It marks the first time an ANGT Qualifier is hosted in the Middle East, outside of continental Europe, highlighting Dubai's growing prominence in the global basketball sports arena. 

The tournament, which brings a world-class showcase of elite young basketball talent, will showcase the best under 18 talent from eight teams, who will light up the iconic Coca-Cola Arena bowl with their skills and fierce determination. 

The winning team will secure a place in the ANGT finals 2024 in Berlin catapulting them onto the global stage.

Home team Dubai Falcons will be the hosting team.

"We are confident this event will leave a lasting impact on the basketball landscape in the Middle East," said Dejan Kamenjasevic General Manager.

Rok Bizjak from the Euroleague management said the event will be key in seeing new talent come through from the Middle East with scouts from the likes of NBA, Europe and Europe on the sidelines. 

Renowned as a hotbed for emerging talent, the tournament draws the attention of NBA scouts who are frequent attendees. Previous editions of ANGT have successfully launched the careers of legends like Luca Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, and Nikola Mirotic, setting the stage for the next generation of basketball superstars.

The eight teams participating in the Dubai qualifier tournament are: Next Generation Team Dubai Falcons Academy (Dubai, UAE); Aris Midea Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki, Greece); LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (Villeurbanne, France); ratiopharm Ulm (Ulm, Germany); Valencia Basket (Valencia, Spain); Zalgiris Kaunas (Kaunas, Lithuania) and Virtus Segafredo Bologna (Bologna, Italy).

Former EuroLeague sensation, Petteri Koponen, will helm the Next Generation Dubai team as head coach, adding a touch of star power to the tournament's lineup.
Tickets for the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) Qualifier in Dubai start from AED 15 and are available online.