NBA, FIBA Announce Top International Prospects for Inaugural Basketball Without Borders Next Up Camp in Istanbul

The NBA and FIBA have launched a new chapter of their global talent-development programme with the inaugural Men’s Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Next Up camp in Istanbul.

The four-day camp brought together 78 top high-school-age prospects from 44 countries and territories across six continents from August 26–29 at the Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi.

A New Pathway for International Talent

BWB Next Up is designed to identify and develop the next generation of international basketball talent.

The programme included:

• Athletic testing
• Movement-efficiency work
• Individual skill-development sessions
• 3-on-3 competition
• 5-on-5 games
• Life-skills seminars

The strongest performers will have an opportunity to be selected for future BWB All-Star camps held around NBA and WNBA All-Star events.

Star NBA Names Joined the Camp

The young prospects were coached and mentored by an impressive group of current and former NBA players and coaches.

Among them were Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Jalen Suggs, Saddiq Bey, Thomas Bryant, Bub Carrington and Jabari Walker.

NBA and FIBA legends Vlade Divac and Danilo Gallinari were also involved.

For teenagers hoping to reach the professional level, working directly with players and coaches who have competed at the highest level provides an important development opportunity.

The Programme Has a Proven Track Record

Basketball Without Borders has already helped produce a remarkable number of professional players.

Since its launch in 2001, the programme has reached more than 4,900 participants from 149 countries and territories, with 155 former campers eventually advancing to the NBA or WNBA.

Among former BWB participants who became major NBA players are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam and Deni Avdija.

That history gives BWB Next Up considerable significance for scouts looking for the next international stars.

Matija Lukic Wins Camp MVP

The inaugural camp has now concluded, with Serbia’s Matija Lukic named the BWB Next Up Camp MVP.

Other individual awards went to:

• Three-Point Champion: Noah D’Acre
• Defensive MVP: Miguel Sousa
• Playoff MVP: Marko Popovic
• Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award: Neora Francis Ossete Toly

A BWB Next Up All-Star team was also selected, featuring players including Darius Karutasu, Aaron Ona Embo, Dwight Gaines, Imran Subasic, Lucai Anderson, Marek Houska, Matija Lukic, Miguel Sousa, JP Oka and Yahya Basaran.

Why Istanbul?

Istanbul has a long association with Basketball Without Borders. The city previously hosted BWB Europe in 2002 and 2008, making the 2026 event the third BWB programme held there.

The camp also coincides with the 25th anniversary of Basketball Without Borders, giving the launch of the Next Up format additional significance.

What’s Next?

BWB Next Up will expand beyond the inaugural men’s camp. The programme is designed to hold two annual camps—one for top male prospects and another for top female prospects—from outside the United States.

The first Women’s BWB Next Up camp is scheduled for fall 2026.

The Bottom Line

The inaugural BWB Next Up Istanbul camp represents a major new international scouting and development platform for the NBA and FIBA.

With dozens of elite teenage prospects working alongside NBA stars, coaches and legends, the programme could become an important early step for future NBA and WNBA players. And if BWB’s history is any indication, some of the names emerging from Istanbul could eventually become the international stars of tomorrow.