England’s U18 and U16 teams will take part in Future Stars 2026 at Brunel University from 28 to 30 August, with Alba Berlin among the international opposition confirmed for the event.
Basketball England says this year’s tournament will feature the traditional U18 category alongside a new U16 age group, giving more young players exposure to high-level international competition.
Alba Berlin, one of Germany’s leading basketball organisations, will compete across the age groups. The club’s pedigree includes 11 German League titles, 11 German Cup titles and a Korac Cup win in 1995, while its academy system has a strong reputation in European youth basketball.
London United, International Basketball Academy from Italy and the England national teams are also listed across both age categories. Get Better Academy from Czechia return in the U18 competition after appearing last year, while Pardaugava Academy from Latvia will make their debut in the U16 category.
Steve Bucknall, Basketball England’s Head of Talent and Performance, said the event gives England players “valuable exposure to high-quality international competition” and supports development within the England Talent Pathway.
The weekend will also include a National Coaching Clinic on the Saturday, with Croatia head coach Veljko Mršić named as a key speaker. Mršić won medals with Croatia as a player at EuroBasket and the 1994 World Championships, represented his country at the 1996 Olympic Games, and played for clubs including Olympiacos, Malaga, Zalgiris, Girona, Varese and Milano.
For UK basketball, Future Stars offers a useful early-season marker for the next wave of England talent, combining international games with coach development in one weekend.
Source: Basketball England.