The England under-18 national side has been invited to compete in the Nike International Junior Tournament during the Euroleague Final Four in London in May.
This wild card entry is one more step in the Euroleague’s strategy to work with all of the stakeholders involved in basketball in the UK in order to help continue to grow the sport domestically. England’s under-18 side recently was promoted to Division A that proves their clear progression on the court.
“The Nike International Junior Tournament is yet another opportunity to show off London’s credentials as a world class host of elite sport,” Mayor of London Boris Johnson said.
“It is fantastic news that the England under-18 men’s team is set to take part in this basketball spectacular, which will help us build on the legacy of the 2012 Games. [British Basketball League side] The London Lions are due to take up residence in the Copper Box and we are also seeing huge success with the London School of Basketball, a grassroots sports programme which I am funding with generous support from Nike.”
England joins three clubs who have already qualified as the winners of 2012-13 NIJT Qualifying tournaments. KK Spars Sarajevo of Bosnia and Herzegovina won the Rome tournament, Joventut Badalona of Spain was victorious in the L’Hospitalet tournament, and Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius of Lithuania won the Siauliai tournament. The Belgrade event will take place on 22-24 February. Euroleague Basketball will fill the remaining three places.
