Youth BCL 2025 | Recap

The 2025 Youth BCL took place in Manisa, Turkey, from April 22 to 27 and showcased many promising young talents from across Europe. Five standout players earned spots on the All-Tournament Team. Here’s a breakdown of their performances in Manisa.

Article by Ata Toprak Koşal | April 30, 2025

Daan Pieters (2007, G, 🇧🇪)

Daan Pieters made a strong debut in his first-ever international tournament, securing a place on the Youth BCL All-Tournament Team with consistent and impactful performances. He averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 31 minutes per game, contributing across multiple areas of the game and stepping up as a reliable presence for his team.

One of his biggest strengths throughout the event was his shooting from beyond the arc, where he converted at 38.9%. He showed confidence and rhythm from deep, making defenders respect his shot and opening up space for himself and his teammates. Beyond his perimeter threat, Pieters displayed a solid sense of timing and footwork, allowing him to attack off the dribble and penetrate the paint effectively. Once inside, he regularly created opportunities through well-timed kick-out passes to open shooters.

Ignas Urbonas (2007, F, 🇱🇹, 6'6)

Ignas Urbonas impressed in Manisa with his high motor and athleticism, consistently bringing energy and hustle to both ends of the floor. He showed solid footwork and quickness in space, allowing him to impact the game defensively and in transition. His main area for improvement remains his three-point shooting. To become a more effective and stretch forward, he needs to expand his shooting range and add perimeter scoring to his offensive skillset.

Urbonas has competed in both the ANGT Ulm and Youth BCL Manisa tournaments this season. In Ulm, he averaged 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. At Youth BCL, he delivered a standout performance, averaging 20 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and a tournament-best 26.8 efficiency rating - earning MVP honors.

He first caught attention at the FIBA U17 World Cup last summer, where he posted 10 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a 10.9 efficiency rating.

Tim Waerniers (2008, F, 🇧🇪, 6'7)

Despite being a year younger than the tournament's generation, Tim Waerniers made a major impact throughout the Youth BCL and earned his spot on the All-Tournament Team. 6-foot-7 forward averaged 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, leading his team all the way to the final and proving his ability to perform against older competition.

Waerniers stood out with his fluid handles and skill set uncommon for his size. He showed an impressive ability to attack closeouts and sneak into the paint using sharp footwork. His ball-handling skills allowed him to create advantages off the dribble, which he combined with a good demonstration of spacing and timing. He was also a major threat from long range, shooting 41.7% from three on three attempts per game. His combination of perimeter shooting and off the dribble drives made him a tough cover for opposing defenses.

Last summer, Waerniers represented Belgium at the FIBA U16 European Championship - Division B, where he averaged 8.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a 10.3 efficiency rating - laying the groundwork for his breakout performance this spring in Manisa.

Gabrielius Bubnys (2007, SG-SF, 🇱🇹, 6'5)

Gabrielius Bubnys made his debut on the international stage at the Youth BCL in Manisa and immediately stood out with his performance. Bubnys was fast and dangerous in transition, showing no hesitation to finish above the rim even in contested situations. He was highly effective as a stretch forward , converting 60% of his three-point attempts on 3.8 shots per game. He displayed a smooth shooting touch, capable of hitting mid-range shots off the dribble, with good footwork and consistent shot selection.

He averaged 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and a 22 efficiency rating across the tournament. Currently playing for Sūduva-Mantinga in Lithuania's Second Division, Bubnys is a promising prospect with the potential to develop into a quality small forward at higher levels.

Mame Samba Deme El Hadji (2007, C, 🇸🇳, 6'11)

Mame Samba Deme El Hadji stood out in Manisa with his energy and relentless work on the glass. Standing at 6-foot-11 with a skinny frame and long arms, he was a dominant presence in the paint on both ends of the floor, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

He contested shots effectively with his length, especially on close-outs, and disrupted opponents inside with timely deflections. His mobility and high-level athleticism allowed him to rotate quickly, change direction in the air, and finish strong at the rim. He runs the floor well and often reaching the basket in just two long strides from the perimeter. El Hadji also showcased impressive rebounding instincts. He displayed soft hands to secure the ball in traffic and was consistently active on the offensive glass, creating second-chance opportunities. His effort on the boards was a major factor for his team, as he led the tournament with 14.3 rebounds per game.

In total, he averaged 16.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a 26 efficiency in the tournament. This was his second major youth competition of the season, having previously played together with Ignas Urbonas for Ulm at ANGT.