MEXICO CITY (Mexico) - The third edition of the FIBA Americas Youth Development Program Elite Camp continues at the National High-Performance Center (CNAR) in Mexico City with many expectations and a full agenda of development and practices for elite players from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama, between the ages of 16 and 17, along with eight highly experienced coaches, in addition to the referees, who are part of the Young Referees Camp.

A group of 24 prospects, aged 16 and 17, continue to receive comprehensive instructions to develop their skills thanks to the FIBA Americas Youth Development Program, which will culminate this Sunday at the National High-Performance Center (CNAR).

"For the Costa Rican Basketball Federation, the presence of young talent with an international profile in a FIBA event, with high-level coaches, and a great opportunity to show the base work that is being done in our country and experience of sharing common goals with our neighbors will allow us to grow. It becomes a positive model for national players, as well as recognition for his community," said FECOBA President Álvaro Calvo.

FIBA’s mission is to offer the 24 participating players the necessary tools to have an impact on their national teams, focusing on the development of youth players and the development of basketball with a vision of the future.

"It is a very nice feeling to know that we are being seen by the eyes of FIBA, a week ago I was in the FIBA U16 Americas Championship and now in the YDP having a great opportunity for which I feel blessed. The learning that they are leaving us goes beyond basketball, we had very important motivation talks for our future and development as a person and players," said YDP Elite Camp participant Miguel Angel Figueroa.

In the framework of scheduled talks, Israel Gutierrez will visit the Camp on Saturday and will refer to his experiences as a player and things he learned during his career.

On Sunday, on the last day of this third edition, the final evaluations of the technical staff will be made and the five players of this Camp will be chosen to integrate the FIBA Americas Team, which will have the full physical and psychological support, as well as the necessary warm-up to enhance their skills with international teams of other regions of the world.

"We are living a very happy experience with our Mexican brothers, in a perfect facility for the development of basketball. The talks motivate the players as well as the training sessions. We are working on specific fundamentals per station. The games of the night are officiated by the referees who are in the Camp. It is a very complete event that should be done more in the region so that we all improve," said Adriano Macias, assistant coach of the Panama National Team, and one of the coaches of the YDP.

The Youth Elite Camp is part of one of the key pillars of FIBA Americas, the Youth Development Program that aims to find and develop young Elite players in the Americas in order for these participants to improve the quality of their National Teams for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"It's a great opportunity to exploit what I do best, which is to play basketball and represent my country with dignity. I have learned a lot, they motivate us, they encourage us to give our best on and off the court. As a person and as a player they make us see that we have to have discipline, respect, and brotherhood. There are many things that I take away from this camp," said Aldimir Castillo, a center of 2.01, the only Panamanian in the camp.

The YDP provides unique opportunities for young players, not only in the field of sports but in their preparation as a person, with values instilled at an early age, sustaining their careers over time. The players work under the orders of eight coaches, the development of skills, with lectures on topics of nutrition, psychology and of course the work on the floor with 5-on-5 games.

FIBA