BUENOS AIRES (Argentina) – The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) of the Americas and the Argentine Basketball Confederation (CABB) are hosting the second edition of the Youth Development Program Elite Camp, that will feature the best prospects of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay born between 2002 and 2005.

This is the second YDP Elite Camp and will be held at the Centro Nacional de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo (CENARD) and Obras Sanitarias in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, from April 11-14.

"One of FIBA’s key pillars is the Development of National Federations, and that focuses on three essential areas: the Strategic Planning, the practice of the sport, and the training of coaches and game officials. This FIBA Youth Development Program in the Americas is a tool that assists our Nationals Federations in the identification of talent while training coaches and officials who in the future will be able to represent their country in international basketball. It is excellent that Buenos Aires is one of the host cities and that today we have players representing Argentina, Chile and Uruguay that will take part in this transfer of knowledge," said FIBA President Horacio Muratore.

24 players were chosen to take part of the Program that focuses on the identification, development and promotion of the best young athletes in the continent. FIBA’s mission is to offer players the necessary tools to have an impact on their national teams, focusing on the development of future players and basketball in their respective countries.

“The Youth Development Program has been developed with every basketball stakeholder in the Americas in mind and we are confident that it will serve as a great support to the work done today by our national federations in their community. We thank the Argentina Basketball Confederation (CABB) for hosting the event and lending their support in every step of the way. This a project that will have a significant impact on the identification of talent at the continental level and with a special focus to that growth that we have as a goal,” said FIBA Americas President Usie Richards.

The participants will arrive at the CENARD on Thursday and on Friday, a special Press Conference will be held with FIBA President Horacio Muratore, CABB President Federico Susbielles, the Executive Director of FIBA Americas Carlos Alves and the Executive Director of the National Sports Agency of Agrentina Diógenes de Urquiza.

“Our first YDP Elite Camp in Campinas was proof of the success that can be achieved when every component of the Americas basketball family comes together to elevate the bar for the future generations. We are committed to helping the national federations grow and giving opportunities for these young athletes to develop is a priority in our strategy. This is our program to do that, to help with the identification of young talent and then to enable these players to maximize their potential with the mindset of going back to represent their countries at the biggest of stages. This will be a great experience for every participant. We are excited to tip-off here in Buenos Aires,” said FIBA Americas Executive Director Carlos Alves.

The first day of the camp will consist of taking anthropometric measurements and physical evaluations, as well as a welcome speech for all participants. The Argentine National Team Coaching Staff will be present, as well as world-class coaches and Argentine basketball legends, who will be interacting with the prospects during the 4 days.

"We are going to work in stations, each one with a development theme and we are going to divide the players in smaller groups, for them to work on their development and receive recommendations from the coaches. We are going to make some observations to encourage their development, they are young, and they have to continue to develop beyond the potential they have, it is essential that they take advantage of this Elite Camp," added Maximiliano Seigorman, YDP Elite Camp Director.

In addition, the camp will include skills development sessions, lectures on nutrition and game psychology, team practices and five-on-five games.

Campinas hosted the first of several camps to be held in the Americas. Future FIBA Youth Elite Camps are scheduled for Central America and the Caribbean, culminating in a FIBA Americas Regional Camp and World Camp.

Marcio Henrique Da Costa, Matheus Leoni Brito, Guilherme Carvalho, Daniel Ifedi Ferreira and Bruno Henrique Pedro were selected for the FIBA Americas Elite Squad within the 24 participating players in the camp that was held from December 13-17 in the city of Campinas.

Meanwhile, the FIBA Americas Referees Department will host a Camp for Young Referees in Obras Sanitarias during the same days.

"The Camp is for National Referees that have the potential to become International Referees in the future. We will have 20 referees from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, participating in the camp. We want to give the participating officials the tools they need to have projection, leadership and control of the game," said FIBA Americas Referee Director Geraldo Fontana.

FIBA