On June 4–5, a unique international youth basketball event, the FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational, will take place in Vilnius, bringing together two different basketball worlds – European and American – represented by Rytas Vilnius, two-time champions of the FIBA Champions League Youth Tournament, and the elite US youth program The Grind Session, which over the past decade has developed not only NCAA stars but also future NBA superstars. This matchup will give Vilnius and visiting fans the opportunity to witness the next generation of global basketball talent up close.
The legendary US youth program, The Grind Session, arrives in Vilnius with a clear mission – to test themselves against the European Youth League champions and once again prove why this system is considered a direct path to the NBA. Its history speaks for itself – players who started here include Oklahoma City Thunder and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, as well as Jamal Murray, Paolo Banchero, Thomas Bryant, Isaiah Jackson, and nearly 3,000 other players who later joined NCAA and professional leagues. This year, a new generation of talent born between 2008–2010 will arrive in the capital, already playing at levels their peers can only dream of.
The Grind Session comes with a young but highly talented roster. Standout players include guard Jaylin Conard, averaging 17.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season while shooting 40% from three-point range. Forward Michael Jones dominated CHI Prep with 19.6 points and 14 rebounds per game. Another notable player is the strong left-handed guard Seven Spurlock, known for his contact play skills and improved shooting from distance. In the frontcourt, Bradley Floyd and Josiah Johnson-Freeman stand out – the two Winston Salem Christian forwards average 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 5 steals per game. The youngest member of the team, Frank Robinson Jr., is already gaining international experience. The team is accompanied by a top-level coaching staff: Brian Clifton, Daniel Hudson, Frank Robinson, Brandon Mason, and Antonio Jardine.
Facing them will be Rytas Vilnius youth, two-time winners of the prestigious FIBA Champions League Youth Tournament over the past three seasons. This year’s championship in Turkey was impressive – Rytas Vilnius won all four matches, with an average margin of 42 points. In the final, the Lithuanians convincingly defeated Ostend Filou 109-76. Team leader Ignas Urbonas was named tournament MVP for the second consecutive year, averaging 20 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2 steals per game in the last tournament. Alongside him, Gabrielius Bubnys contributed an average of 18.3 points, supported by a balanced squad displaying high-powered offense under coach Gintaras Kadžiulis.
The FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational is not just a new tournament format but also the beginning of a new era. FIBA aims to globalize youth basketball and create a platform where European and US talent can meet head-to-head before reaching the professional level. The two games in Vilnius provide an opportunity to see future NCAA and NBA stars today and assess how close the Lithuanian youth system is to the US elite.
Rytas Vilnius invites all basketball fans to attend and witness this unique showdown – Lithuania versus the USA.
Tickets for June 4 are available with admission to the Rytas Vilnius vs. 7bet-Lietkabelis match, while the June 5 event is free to attend.