MIAMI (United States) – On December 10, the opening day of Season 7 of the Basketball Champions League Americas, Group C will also be in action. Aguada (URU), Boca Juniors (ARG) and Minas Tenis Clube (BRA) will battle for the two berths to the next stage. At first glance, this shapes up to be one of the toughest groups in the opening phase of the competition. Here’s how each team arrives:
Aguada (URU)
The current Uruguayan runner-up returns to the BCL Americas after a long absence. Under head coach Germán Cortizas, the team holds a 6–4 record in domestic competition and enters the international stage seeking to surprise.
Key facts
Appearances: 2 (2019-20 y 2025-26)
Best finish: Did not advance past the Group Stage in its previous appearance
All-time record: 1-3
Against group rivals: vs. Boca Juniors 0-0 | vs. Minas 0-0
Notable: The only BCL Americas win came at home against Quimsa
Players to watch
American forward Earl Clark leads the team’s offense, while veteran point guard Santiago Vidal runs the show. Joaquín Osimani, Juan Santiso, Federico Pereiras and Agustín Zuvich are also key rotation pieces. The club reinforced its roster with Donald Sims, David Cubillán and Agustin Da Costa for this first stretch of continental play.
Outlook
Of the three clubs in the group, Aguada has the least BCL Americas experience, slightly behind its two rivals. Still, its foreign reinforcements are high-quality, and the team is expected to show strong competitiveness.
Boca Juniors (ARG)
The reigning back-to-back champions in Argentina’s LNB and last season’s BCL Americas runner-up return with the ambition of reaching the continental Final and capturing their first title. Gonzalo Pérez remains at the helm after last year’s strong campaign, where Boca came one win short of the double. Domestically, Boca holds a 10–6 record entering the competition.
Key facts
Appearances: 4 (2021-22, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26)
Best finish: Silver medal last season (2024–25)
All-time record: 13-11
Against group rivals: vs. Aguada: 0-0 | vs. Minas Tenis Clube: 0-0
Notable: Boca has played BCL Americas games in six different countries and won in five. The only country where they have never won is Uruguay (0–2)
Players to watch
Several of the core players who led the team to last season’s Final return: Sebastián Vega, Franco Giorgetti, Santiago Scala and Martín Cuello. The club also added center Francisco Cáffaro, who impressed with Argentina during the World Cup Qualifiers, along with forward Agustín Barreiro and point guard Lucas Faggiano. The imports will be Wayne Langston and Michael Smith.
Outlook
Despite the balance in this group, Boca arrives as the favorite to finish first. With depth, continuity, and a proven core, the club aims to take command early in its quest to return to the Final.
Minas Tenis Clube (BRA)
Minas enters in excellent form after finishing as the NBB runner-up last season and currently sharing first place domestically with a 12–2 record. Head coach Leonardo Costa, also an assistant with Brazil’s national team, continues to guide one of the most consistent projects in the region.
Key facts
Appearances: 5 (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2024-25, 2025-26)
Best finish: Three bronze medals (2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23)
All-time record: 22-15
Against group rivals: vs. Aguada: 0-0 | vs. Boca Juniors 0-0
Notable: Minas has won 6 of its last 8 BCL Americas games, but has dropped 2 of its last 3
Players to watch
Veteran big man Alexandre Paranhos continues to perform at a high level and has become one of the club’s main pillars. Shooting guard Danilo Fuzaro returns to the organization where he began his career after four seasons elsewhere. They are joined by another veteran, Ricardo Fischer, and the promising Wini Braga, who just debuted with Brazil during the World Cup Qualifiers. Erik McCree and Jordan Williams round out a strong and balanced international trio.
Outlook
Minas presents a well-rounded, battle-tested roster and is fully capable of challenging Boca Juniors for the top spot in the group. The strong domestic form and significant experience in this competition make for a dangerous opponent with the potential to contend for medals.
FIBA