Murcia eager to show they belong at the elite youth level
Meet the teams participating in the first ever edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League!
UCAM already have a history with the Basketball Champions League, playing in the competition for a third season following 2017-18 and 2018-19. The Spanish team reached the Final Four in their debut campaign and lost 77-75 in the Semi-Finals to hosts AEK Athens before bouncing back to take third place. The club’s youth system has been an attractive destination for young internationals looking to develop their game. Now, the Murcia club leaders hope the youngsters can show they belong at the elite level at the youth ranks as well.
"For us, participating in the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League is an honor and a privilege. Without a doubt, it is a unique experience, which will help us to continue developing our young talents and continue to put the name UCAM in a good place internationally."
- Juan Antonio Martinez, Sports Director of Youth Teams at UCAM Murcia
History of the Program | Domestic Success
Murcia’s top recent finish at the U18 youth level in Spain was seventh place in 2020-21.
Recent Youth Developments
Murcia’s biggest step in youth development came in 2019 when Sito Alonso took over as first team head coach. The former Spanish youth national team playcaller works with some of the club’s top players and overall has helped the club professionalize the youth academy. Murcia recently opened a new scholarship residence which provides more space to the players, who have all the facilities needed for development, including nutritional services. Murcia also incorporate a physical preparation service in the mornings for the players, headed by Tomas Freitas, a strength and conditioning coordinator who is also with the UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport.
YBCL Player to Watch
Jose Tomas Martinez | 2005 | F
Tomas plays for Murcia’s U18 team at the regional level as well as the club’s second team in the EBA fourth division. He is averaging 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in the EBA this season. Tomas has represented Spain on the international level, playing last summer in the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup Qualifiers. He is a fantastic long range shooter who also has an excellent physique that allows him to play above the rim. Tomas in addition takes up a lot of space on the court and stands out for his competitiveness.
Program Alumni
Noah Churchill | Izan Almansa | Jose Ortega | Carlos Toledo | Villiam Garcia | Wilhelm Falk
Noah Churchill played seven games for Bakken Bears in the Basketball Champions League this season, his first year back in his native Denmark after spending two seasons with Murcia. The 20-year-old, who totaled 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 48 minutes in the BCL, left Bakken’s youth system in 2020 and joined the Spanish club, where he played predominantly in the EBA fourth division. But the point guard, who is the great-grandson of former British statesman Winston Churchill, made his Spanish ACB league debut in the 2020-21 season. Churchill also advanced to the Danish senior national team already in 2021, collecting 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in his most recent game in February 2023 against Slovakia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers.
UCAM already have a history with the Basketball Champions League, playing in the competition for a third season following 2017-18 and 2018-19. The Spanish team reached the Final Four in their debut campaign and lost 77-75 in the Semi-Finals to hosts AEK Athens before bouncing back to take third place. The club’s youth system has been an attractive destination for young internationals looking to develop their game. Now, the Murcia club leaders hope the youngsters can show they belong at the elite level at the youth ranks as well.
"For us, participating in the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League is an honor and a privilege. Without a doubt, it is a unique experience, which will help us to continue developing our young talents and continue to put the name UCAM in a good place internationally."
- Juan Antonio Martinez, Sports Director of Youth Teams at UCAM Murcia
History of the Program | Domestic Success
Murcia’s top recent finish at the U18 youth level in Spain was seventh place in 2020-21.
Recent Youth Developments
Murcia’s biggest step in youth development came in 2019 when Sito Alonso took over as first team head coach. The former Spanish youth national team playcaller works with some of the club’s top players and overall has helped the club professionalize the youth academy. Murcia recently opened a new scholarship residence which provides more space to the players, who have all the facilities needed for development, including nutritional services. Murcia also incorporate a physical preparation service in the mornings for the players, headed by Tomas Freitas, a strength and conditioning coordinator who is also with the UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport.
YBCL Player to Watch
Jose Tomas | 2005 | F
Tomas plays for Murcia’s U18 team at the regional level as well as the club’s second team in the EBA fourth division. He is averaging 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in the EBA this season. Tomas has represented Spain on the international level, playing last summer in the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup Qualifiers. He is a fantastic long range shooter who also has an excellent physique that allows him to play above the rim. Tomas in addition takes up a lot of space on the court and stands out for his competitiveness.
Program Alumni
Noah Churchill | Izan Almansa | Jose Ortega | Carlos Toledo | Villiam Garcia | Wilhelm Falk
Noah Churchill played seven games for Bakken Bears in the Basketball Champions League this season, his first year back in his native Denmark after spending two seasons with Murcia. The 20-year-old, who totaled 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 48 minutes in the BCL, left Bakken’s youth system in 2020 and joined the Spanish club, where he played predominantly in the EBA fourth division. But the point guard, who is the great-grandson of former British statesman Winston Churchill, made his Spanish ACB league debut in the 2020-21 season. Churchill also advanced to the Danish senior national team already in 2021, collecting 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in his most recent game in February 2023 against Slovakia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers.
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