IBSA next Gen Cup: Napoli Basket Takes on Top Youth Talent
The second stage of the IBSA Next Gen Cup, a prestigious tournament showcasing Italy’s top Under 19 basketball talent, tips off on January 2nd. Sixteen teams representing Serie A1 clubs will battle it out in Rimini and Santarcangelo di Romagna, vying for a spot in the Final Eight.
From January 2nd to 4th, the Palasport Flaminio and PalaSGR will host intense matchups as the teams, divided into two qualifying groups, compete for supremacy. This tournament, organized by the Basketball league Serie A, serves as a platform to nurture and promote the future stars of Italian basketball.
Napoli Basket, placed in Group A, faces a formidable challenge. Their group includes Academy Scafati Basket, Allianz Derthona Tortona, Dolomiti Energia Trentino, Estra Pistoia Basket, Varese Basketball, Vanoli Basket Cremona, and Virtus EmilBanca Bologna.
In the initial phase held in Varese last november, Napoli Basket, led by Coach lamberti, secured a single victory against Academy scafati. They faced defeats against Vanoli Basket Cremona, Estra Pistoia, and Allianz Derthona Tortona.
The young Azzurri squad, comprised of Thomas Acunzo, Alessandro Fernando Basco, Federico Capasso, Emanuele Delle Cave, Ivan Druzheliubov, Yehor Druzheliubov, Emanuel Esposito, massimo Fiodo, Samuel Fusaro, Armando Grivo, Stefano Saccoccia, Giuseppe Verde, and Stefano Pisapia (on loan from Juvecaserta 2021), is ready to make their mark.
Napoli Basket’s schedule includes a clash against Dolomiti Energia Trentino on January 2nd at 4 pm, followed by a match against Pallacanestro Varese on January 3rd at 10:30 am. Their final group stage game pits them against Virtus EmilBanca Bologna on January 4th at 11:00 am.
Fans can catch all the action live on the LBA website, legabasket.it. The top four teams from each group will advance to the Final Eight, a thrilling knockout stage featuring quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the championship game. The Final Eight will be held in Brescia from February 22nd to 24th, 2025.
Next Gen Stars on the Rise: An Interview With Former Italian National Team Captain, Gianmarco Pozzecco
The IBSA Next Gen Cup is underway, showcasing some of italy’s brightest young basketball prospects. We’re joined today by Gianmarco Pozzecco, former captain of the Italian national team and a true legend of the game, to delve into the tournament and discuss the future of Italian basketball. Welcome, Gianmarco!
Gianmarco Pozzecco: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to talk about the future of Italian basketball.
Moderator: so, Gianmarco, what are your initial impressions of this year’s Next Gen Cup? The competition seems fierce right off the bat.
Gianmarco Pozzecco: Absolutely. The Next Gen Cup is a fantastic platform for these young players to showcase their talents and learn from each other. The quality is already impressive, and I expect even more exciting things as the tournament progresses.
Moderator: napoli Basket faced some tough challenges in the initial phase. What do you think they need to focus on to improve their chances in this second stage?
Gianmarco Pozzecco: Coach Lamberti has a tough task ahead, but Napoli Basket has a lot of potential. They need to work on their consistency and develop a stronger defensive presence. This group stage is crucial for them to gain experience and build chemistry.
Moderator: Napoli’s roster features a mix of young players and those on loan from other clubs. Do you see that diversity as a strength or a challenge?
Gianmarco Pozzecco: It’s definitely both. Having players with different experiences can be beneficial, but integrating them seamlessly takes time and effort. It’s up to Coach Lamberti to find a way to make these players gel as a cohesive unit.
Moderator: Do you see any individual players from Napoli Basket who stand out or have the potential to make a real impact in the future?
Gianmarco Pozzecco: This is a young squad full of potential.Alessandro Basco is a player who really caught my eye in the first stage. He’s got great court vision and natural playmaking instincts. And I’m always impressed by the passion and energy that players like Esposito and Pisapia bring to the court.
Moderator: Looking ahead to the Final Eight, what are your predictions? which teams do you think have the best chance of making it to the championship game?
Gianmarco Pozzecco: Predicting the Final Eight is always tough, but based on the early results, teams like Virtus Bologna, Derthona Tortona, and Trento are looking strong. It wouldn’t surprise me if Scafati Basket also makes a deep run.They have a really exciting young team.
Moderator:
Gianmarco, what advice would you give to these young players as they participate in this tournament and chase their basketball dreams?
Gianmarco pozzecco: My advice is simple: Enjoy the moment, learn from every experience, and never stop believing in yourselves. the road to success is rarely easy, but with dedication and passion, anything is absolutely possible.
Moderator: Great words of wisdom, Gianmarco. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and perspectives on the IBSA next Gen Cup. We’re all excited to see what the future holds for these young stars!
Let us know your thoughts! Which team are you rooting for in the IBSA Next Gen Cup? Do you agree with Gianmarco’s assessment? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
