The highly anticipated Elite Basketball Tournament Malta 2024 will tip off on Wednesday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion. This year’s tournament, which runs until Friday, will bring together top basketball talent from the USA, United Kingdom, and Malta, with reigning local champions Starlites and Hibernians set to face stiff international competition.

The tournament, which has grown in popularity over the years, aims to foster international collaboration and provide local teams with valuable pre-season experience. Both Starlites and Hibernians are gearing up to showcase their skills in front of international scouts and coaches. The event promises to be a significant opportunity for Maltese basketball to further establish itself on the international stage.

“This year’s event has attracted more interest, and we are happy that we have a team from the United Kingdom. It is a great opportunity for local clubs to test their squads before the start of the season. This is the only international event for local basketball enthusiasts that involves local clubs. We are happy to provide this opportunity for the past four years,” said Ruben Baldacchino, director of the Elite Basketball Tournament.

Youth Clinic with Top Coaches

In addition to the high-level basketball competition, the event featured a youth clinic led by some of the game’s finest coaches. This three-hour session which took place on Tuesday, focused on building fundamental skills, giving young Maltese players the chance to learn from top international coaches.

Notably, the clinic was led by WNBA All-Star Andrea Stinson, former NCAA Division One coach Kevin Cantwell, and seasoned coach Sean Kilmartin. Cantwell’s impressive resume includes coaching 22 NBA players, such as the legendary Stephon Marbury.

“This camp has been one of our highlights during the whole event, with large participation from the local basketball community. We believe it is important to give priority to the younger generation, especially with the presence of some of the top international coaches in the game. The camp has always been a success and has grown in popularity over the past four years,” Baldacchino remarked.

Teams and competition

This year’s competition will feature an impressive lineup of teams. Local clubs Starlites, the reigning national champions, and Hibernians, challengers for this season’s honours, will face tough competition from abroad. ARU University, a team competing in the UK college basketball and national league, will bring strong opposition, while USA Select, having dominated the tournament’s previous editions, are back with a formidable squad of young talent.

Starlites will also use this tournament as part of their preparation for their upcoming FIBA Europe Cup debut, adding another layer of excitement for local fans.

Celebration of sport

New awards will also be introduced this year, including the All-Star Team of the Tournament and the prestigious Most Valuable Player award, adding to the excitement surrounding the event.

“We are thrilled to host the Elite Basketball Tournament Malta 2024,” Baldacchino said, “This event not only highlights the talent of young athletes but also reinforces our commitment to promoting basketball within Malta and fostering international collaboration through sport. I would like to thank Visit Malta and the Malta Basketball Association for their support.”

Entrance to the tournament is free, but fans are encouraged to secure their seats early as it is expected to draw significant interest. For more information, visit the event’s social media pages.