As part of the ELPA’s Final Four activities in Abu Dhabi, young players participating in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) were treated to an engaging and insightful conversation by Bostjan Nachbar, Managing Director of ELPA, featuring Dogus Balbay, former Anadolu Efes captain and a two-time EuroLeague champion.
Continuing the tradition of meaningful talks at ANGT, which in the past included EuroLeague legend Igor Rakocevic, the session’s focus was once again transition from youth to senior level, providing perspective, advice, and real-life experiences to the next generation of players.
Dogus Balbay opened up about his personal journey, from his early days in Turkey to his move to the United States, playing college basketball at the University of Texas, and his introduction to playing in the EuroLeague. His story highlighted the challenges, growth, and transitions players can face when moving from youth programs to professional basketball.
The talk explored key themes that resonate with every young athlete:
- How to approach tournaments like ANGT, not just to impress scouts with stats, but to showcase character, body language, and teamwork both on and off the court.
- How to deal with injuries and the mental resilience needed to overcome setbacks.
- Understanding the importance of building a trustworthy support system, which helps players in different areas of professional life.
This initiative once again underscores ELPA’s commitment to player development beyond the game itself, empowering young athletes with the tools to thrive on and off the court.
