Rytas Vilnius proclaimed 2024 Youth BCL champions in Debrecen

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - Lithuanian club Rytas Vilnius lifted the trophy in the second edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League after defeating Türkiye's Galatasaray 98-62 in the Final in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday.

Rytas have become the second-ever champions of the Youth BCL, succeeding Igokea m:tel, the winners of the inaugural edition of the standalone pan-European club competition for U18 teams, last year.

The 2024 champions had the best offense in the competition with 93.2 points per game and conquered the title with five wins in as many games, including a victory over Igokea in the Semi-Finals.

Rytas 2007-born forward Ignas Urbonas, who led all scorers in the Final with 17 points, also claimed MVP honors to headline the 2024 Youth BCL All-Star Five.

His opponent in the Final, Kerem Erdem of Galatasaray, along with Efe Postel of Tofas Bursa, Andrej Acimovic of Igokea m:tel and Babel Yitu Lipasi of Lenovo Tenerife rounded out the All-Star Five.

In the Third-Place Game, Tofas toppled last year's champions Igokea 93-89  in a tight contest that was decided in the final seconds. Postel paved the way for Tofas with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Lenovo Tenerife claimed fifth place in the competition after prevailing 87-56 over Baskets Oldenburg on Saturday, while on the same day Basketball Academy Nymburk dominated fellow Czech side BK Opava 90-50 to clinch the seventh spot in the competition.

The hosts, Team Debrecen, secured ninth place with a dominant victory 84-41 over AEK Athens, while German club Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg pulled off an 86-52 win over Hapoel Jerusalem in the game for 11th spot. 

Final Standings

1. Rytas Vilnius
2. Galatasaray
3: Tofas Bursa
4: Igokea m:tel
5. Lenovo Tenerife
6. Baskets Oldenburg
7. BA Nymburk
8. BK Opava
9. Team Debrecen
10. AEK Athens
11. Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg
12. Hapoel Jerusalem
13. Promitheas Patras