MIAMI (United States) – The FIBA Regional Office in the Americas has announced the four clubs that will compete in the inaugural Youth Basketball Champions League Americas (Youth BCL Americas), a new competition designed on U18 category to promote youth basketball development across the region. The four teams participating in the historic first edition are Obras Sanitarias (Argentina), Paulistano (Brazil), Defensor Sporting (Uruguay), and Academy of Central Florida (United States). The inaugural Youth BCL Americas will take place from September 9–12, 2026, with the venue to be announced at a later date. The competition was officially unveiled by FIBA Americas in April 2026 as an extension of the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCL Americas), providing young talents with a platform for development and international competition. The initiative is part of FIBA’s strategy to strengthen the youth basketball ecosystem in the Americas by supporting the development of players, coaches, technical staff and club structures. The Youth BCL Americas aims to offer international competitive experiences at an early age, helping raise development standards and facilitating players’ transition to higher levels of competition. With representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States, the inaugural edition will feature organizations recognized for their commitment to talent development in their respective countries. FIBA Americas also plans to expand the tournament in future editions. Beginning in 2027, the competition is expected to expand to additional countries and introduce national qualification pathways, further increasing the reach and competitiveness of the event.
FIBA