MIAMI (United States) - Season 3 of Basketball Champions League Americas tipping off on the 10th of December, and 12 teams will battle to take home the championship in the continent's most elite men's basketball league.

The BCLAmericas Champion will earn a spot into the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2023, as Season 2 Champion C.R. Flamengo will play in the 2022 edition. Here's all you need to know before the first window tips off.

What teams are in which group?

There are four groups — Group A, B, C and D — that are made up of three teams each. Groups B, C and D were selected at the Draw, while Group A, were pre-assigned to their group due to geographical and logistical reasons.

Group A Real Estelí, Cangrejeros and the Edmonton Stingers
Group B: A.A. Quimsa, Sao Paulo FC and Nacional
Group C: Club Biguá, Obras Basket and Minas
Group D: Reigning BCLAmericas champion CR Flamengo, Boca Juniors, and Basket UdeC

Season 3 will consist of each team playing two games per window for a total of 36 games at the group stage. The Final 8 will be played as a single-elimination quarterfinal and semi-final rounds with the winners advancing to the Championship game and the losers will play for third place.

Where is the first window being played?

For the first window of the bubble format, Group A will be hosted by Real Estelí in Nicaragua at the Alexis Argüello Sports Center in Managua. Group B, will be hosted by Quimsa in Argentina at the Ciudad de Santiago del Estero Stadium. Group C will be hosted by Minas in Brazil at the Tennis Clube court in Belo Horizonte, and Group D will be hosted by current champion Flamengo also in Brazil, but in Maracanazinho de Rio de Janeiro.

While one team in each group will have “home-court advantage” for the first window, each team throughout the BCLAmericas season will get a chance to host one window for their group on home soil.

Which games in the first window are must-see?

Group A: Real Esteli vs. Edmonton Stingers

The “Tren del Norte” just won a domestic title after being BCLAmericas finalists last year, and the roster of Jezreel De Jesús, Javier Mojica, Álex Franklin and Renaldo Balkman are back joined by Guillermo Díaz and the “Cubanazo” Ysmael Romero. They’ll take on the Canadian Elite Basketball League champions Edmonton, who are making their Basketball Champions League Americas debut. Jahmal Jones, Junior Cadougan and Josh Boone are players to watch as the Stingers take on the premier talent in the Americas for the first time.

Group B: Sao Paulo vs. Quimsa

The “Tricolor Paulistas” reached the semifinals of BCLAmericas last season, and veteran Marquinhos headlines their talent this season on top of star players like, Bruno Caboclo, Elinho Neto, Tyrone Curnell and Corderro Bennett. Quimsa, the leader of the Argentine league, will play on home court and will look to avenge disappointing showing last season after winning the BCLAmericas Season 1 title. Franco Baralle, Juan Brussino, Iván Gramajo and Mauro Cosolito are keys to Quimsa’s success that will come out strong in the first window.

Group C: Minas vs. Obras Sanitarias

Minas reached the BCLAmericas semi-finals last season and are rolling in their domestic league at 7-2. Gui Deodato, Alexey Borges, Renan Lenz and Tavario Miller join veterans Gui Santos, Shaquille Johnson, Felipe Queirós, and aim not only to win the Brazilian league but also a BCLAmericas title. Obras failed to find a win in the last BCLAmericas campaign, but players like Pedro Barral, Lautaro Berra, Joaquín Rodriguez and Emiliano Serrés will be looking to help out point guard Juan Pablo Venegas to improve against tough Americas competition.

Group D: Flamengo vs. Boca Jrs

Reigning BCLAmericas and NBB champions from Brazil, Flamengo added Brandon Robinson and Dar Tucker to accompany an already talented Joao Paulo Batista to try and defend their title. Sitting second in the Brazilian league with an 8-2 record, Flamengo aim to win their domestic title and defend their BCLAmericas title. Boca, led by Gonzalo García who was a champion with San Lorenzo, has been looking solid in the Argentine league with a 6-2 record. Kevin Hernández, Leonel Schattmann, David Nesbitt and Eloy Vargas, many of whom have kept their talents sharp with their home countries as they recently competed in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers.

What players are stand-outs?

Group A: Jezreel De Jesús - Real Estelí 

Recently appearing in the first window of the FIBA Basketball ​​World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers, De Jesus stood out for Puerto Rico averaging 17.0, plus 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists and will look to do the same with his club team on home court.

Group B: Bruno Caboclo - São Paulo 

Back in his home country, Caboclo is averaging 17.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in the Brazilian league, and is one of the most key players on both sides of the ball for São Paulo as a veteran who can play both physically but also lead the team mentally.

Group C: Pedro Barral - Obras

"Pepo" is back with his team and is already leading a very young team at just 27 years old himself, as Barral lead his squad to victory with 16 points and 3 assists in his last Argentine league game. Barral will also have to continue to produce offensively for Obras if they want to redeem themselves from their previous BCLAmericas showing.

Group D: Brandon Robinson - Flamengo

Not only a BCLAmericas veteran but also a champion with Quimsa, Robinson has averaged 15.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. Now joining the defending champions Flamengo, Robinson will have a talented roster around him to complement his already elite skillset and hopefully get a second title with a second club.

Where can I watch BCLAmericas?

BCLAmericas will be available to watch on ESPN, Sport+ and Fox Sports in Brazil, TV8 in Nicaragua, CEBL+ in Canada, and DirecTV for the rest of South America. Games can also be found on the BCLAmericas YouTube Channel in countries like Canada, Puerto Rico and Nicaragua.

Want to know more about what's in store this season?

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 FIBA