MIAMI (United States) – Season 7 of the Basketball Champions League Americas tips off this Wednesday, December 10, with action from Group D, where two familiar foes, SESI Franca (BRA) and Instituto (ARG), meet again after sharing a group last season. Joining them is UdeC (CHI), returning to the continent’s top club tournament after missing the previous campaign but now eager to challenge for a spot in the next stage. Let’s take a look at how each team arrives:
SESI Franca (BRA)
The reigning NBB champions have claimed four straight titles in Brazil’s top league. Head coach Helinho Rubens Garcia continues to lead the project with remarkable success. In domestic play, Franca currently sits at 11-3, just one game off first place. Their trophy case also includes a FIBA Intercontinental Cup title from 2023.
Key facts
Appearances: 6 (2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26)
Best finish: Champions (2022-23)
All-time record: 30-12
Against group rivals: vs. Instituto 4-0 | vs. Udec 6-0
Notable: Third-most wins in BCL Americas history (30). One win away from tying second place (Quimsa with 31).
Players to watch
Georginho De Paula, Lucas Dias, and Cristiano Felicio are all standouts from Brazil’s national team and lead this roster. Veteran BCLA figures David Jackson, Cordero Bennett, and Rafael Mineiro also add experience. Meanwhile, promising young talent Paulo “Zú Jr.” Barbosa continues to emerge as one of Brazil’s brightest rising stars.
Outlook
Franca enters as the clear favorite in the group thanks to their depth, recent form, and overall pedigree. They are not only a strong bet to reach the Playoffs but, once again, a serious championship contender.
Instituto (ARG)
Instituto arrives after back-to-back runner-up finishes in Argentina’s LNB, losing both Finals to Boca Juniors. Their current domestic campaign has been more turbulent. Entering this window, the team stands at 8-8, and recently dismissed head coach Diego Vadell, who had taken charge earlier this year. Sebastián González steps in as the new head coach after recently leading Deportivo San José in the Liga Sudamericana and winning a BCL Americas title with Quimsa.
Key facts
Appearances: 5 (2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2024-25, 2025-26)
Best finish: Two fourth-place finishes (2019-20, 2024-25)
All-time record: 12-19
Against group rivals: vs. SESI Franca 0-4 | vs. Udec 0-0
Notable: Undefeated (5-0) against Chilean opponents (CD Valdivia and CDC Leones). They will face UdeC for the first time.
Players to watch
Leandro Vildoza, Nicolás Copello, Tomás Monacchi, Javier Saiz, and Gastón Whelan headline the core of national players. The team continues to feel the absence of Bautista Lugarini and Lee Aaliya, who are competing in Europe. However, U.S. imports Keylan Boone and Ahmed Hill now serve as scoring reinforcements.
Outlook
With SESI Franca appearing a step above the rest, finishing first seems unlikely. However, Instituto should be well-positioned to compete for the second spot. Despite an inconsistent domestic season, their roster has enough experience and structure to hold the advantage over UdeC, at least on paper.
UdeC (CHI)
UdeC reclaimed the LNB Chile title last season after having lost it the previous year — their fourth championship in the last five seasons. This year, however, they fell short of reaching the Southern Conference Finals, losing the series in five games. Uruguayan coach Santiago Gómez leads the team.
Key facts
Appearances: 5 (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2025-26)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2022-23)
All-time record: 3-21
Against group rivals: vs. SESI Franca 0-6 | vs. Instituto 0-0
Notable: They have lost their last 9 BCLA games and won just 1 of their last 9 at home.
Players to watch
Diego Low, Kevin Rubio, and Diego Silva bring the most domestic experience. Jerry Evans Jr. is entering his fourth BCLA campaign, his second stint with the club, and is now one of the new additions. Other international players include Isaac Hamilton and Venezuelan forward Carlos Milano, a long-time member of the team.
Outlook
On paper, they are the underdogs of the group, but they will aim to spring an upset and compete for one of the two Quarterfinal spots. They will also arrive with several days of rest after concluding their domestic participation, potentially giving them a physical edge early.
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