1

The Tradition Continues: Get Ready for the 3rd Platon PBS!

In 2022, the idea was conceived; in 2023, it was established; and this year, it returns once again as the PBS has become an institution embedded in our basketball culture. The “spring” of European Basketball unfolds on Platon School’s court for the third consecutive season. Top U16 teams from Greece and across Europe gather at Platon’s “Olympio Arena” to showcase their skills, exchange ideas, and promote values that enrich both the sport of basketball and the guiding philosophy behind athletic and everyday achievements, with a primary focus on character development.

The 3rd PBS promises players and spectators a unique competitive experience, attracting interest beyond Greece’s borders. This tournament revolves around basketball, highlighting young athletes and emphasizing values such as teamwork, development, collaboration, excitement, competition, passion, strength, endurance, coexistence, and hospitality. The aim of this tournament is to convey the messages of a sporting community that seeks to establish itself as an institution that nurtures youth potential, stressing the importance of investing in aspiring athletes who can serve as catalysts for positive change.

“From the inception of our Academy, we at Platon BC have worked with faith, structure, perseverance, and innovative practices in developmental basketball, not merely to cultivate strong athletes or winning teams, but to empower young individuals to mature first as people and then as players capable of exceeding their own expectations under any circumstances,” emphasizes team president Mr. Michalis Papadopoulos.

This year, the tournament has the privilege of hosting leading teams from ESKA and ESKANA leagues, including Panathinaikos BC, Olympiacos BC, Panionios BC, and Milonas BC, while for the second consecutive year, a prominent Italian Academy will add a touch of European flair to the event.

Stella Azzurra will once again immerse itself in greek culture and hospitality, reciprocating by sharing its knowledge of developmental basketball and beyond. 

Athletes, coaches, and fans alike will converge from May 9th to 12th for 9 thrilling matchups on the courts of the 3rd PBS, in a true celebration of basketball and numerous engaging surprises for participants and spectators.

Match Games
IMG_6386

Stella Azzurra is one of the best Academies in Europe, combining school-basketball-entertainment in absolute harmony. The coaches have international experience, while the school has athletes from many countries, such as New Guinea, Brazil, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Latvia, Chile, England, Bolivia, Serbia, Sweden, Morocco and Egypt. In addition to their athletic career in basketball, the students have the opportunity to attend major Universities in Rome. Great players have played in Stella Azzurra and the best example is the former number 1 draft pick in the NBA (2006), Andrea Bargnani.

PAO BC

Panathinaikos is one of the historic teams in Europe and in recent years has been putting a lot of emphasis on its elementary level teams. Almost every year is a favorite for the pan-Hellenic championships for children and teenagers and competes in the ESKA categories. It seems that the future of Greek basketball is connected to the Panathinaikos Academy. The club’s vision is that the talented athletes will adopt values, which will help them in basketball and in their lives. Its elementary level teams participate in the Next Gen of the Euroleague. A great ambition of the people in the team is to turn PAO BC Academy into a leading Academy in Europe.

Olympiacos

Olympiacos is among the elite of European basketball and it is no coincidence that for ten years it has been a star player both inside and outside the borders. Its elementary level teams participate in the Next Gen of the Euroleague against leading European Academies. It has been at the top of ESKANA for many years while it is constantly present in the final stages of the Panhellenic championships. The quality coaching staff and the modern technological means that is available to the young athletes, create the standards for successful basketball players, who will strengthen the club and the national teams.

Platon BC achieves its own breakthrough, establishing its position among the best of the 1st ESKA.The children’s and adolescent teams star in the top division of Athens, while the men’s is very competitive in the 2nd ESKA. The goal of the team is the development of children in sports, in a way that it supports their personal and academic development. The men’s section of the Academy is located in the 2nd ESKA and it is a great dream of the people of the club, to be staffed exclusively with athletes from the elementary level teams. Several athletes have emerged from Platon’s program, such as Nikos Gikas,Vassilis Stavrakoukas, etc., while a great number of them are now in the small National Teams.

Another organization embarking on its own “restart,” and it seems that the efforts of past years are beginning to bear fruit. Milonas, a club from a neighborhood in Athens, has always strived to find its place among the giants of the sport, and it has succeeded with dedication and love. Over the past few years, promising athletes have been starring in association championships, and the men’s team made a mark this year in the fiercely competitive Elite League. In sports, nothing is random, and when there’s a plan in place, theory becomes reality.

The “Historic” club is an institution that has etched its name in golden letters in Greek basketball history, and in recent years, it is showing a return to the forefront of the sport. The men’s team is on the verge of promotion to the Basket League, and in the youth categories, the coaches’ efforts are starting to pay off as the “blue-reds” shine in the ESKANA league at the levels of children and adolescents. The focus on youth development is undoubtedly positive for the team, which has basketball in its DNA, and it seems that the time has come for its ascent to the highest echelons of the sport.

Sponsors

Sportsroom
zonepress