Lausanne (Switzerland) – Basketball fans around the world will have their eyes turned to Lausanne, where the U19 FIBA 2025 World Cup will soon be competed. The Swiss basketball leaders are impatient to see the impact of the holding of this competition on the next generation, all the more after a historic summer 2024.
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Switzerland is about to make its big debut in the U19 global competition. The secretary general of Swiss Baskeetball is delighted to attend the event.
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We are really proud to face the best world teams
“We are really proud to face the best world teams, but we know that it will be very, very difficult”recognizes Lehmann.
“This tournament will be hard for us, that’s for sure. But we are happy. Players will enjoy a wonderful opportunity to show up. It will be an incredible experience. We have sold a lot of tickets, so I think this event will be a great source of inspiration for young people in our country, basketball players or not. »»
One of the leaders in the Swiss selection that will participate in this world tournament from June 28 to July 6 is Lucas Maniema.
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We do not intend to do figuration
Lucas Maniema
“As a team and as a country, we constantly do everything to improve. We have never participated in a Fiba Eurobasket Jeunesse Division A, but we do not intend to do figuration. We have great expectations and being able to play at home makes the experience even better ”said Maniema, who has evolved in Spain in the last two seasons, the most recent with the Gran Canaria club.
Maniema also participated in the historic summer of the Swiss team last year. He posted an average of 10.8 points during the FIBA Eurobasket U18 2024 Division B, which Switzerland finished in the 6the place, the best result of the nation in the history of competition since 11e Rank of 2010.
“We learned a lot during last summer, but what drives us above all is the desire to want even more. LA 6e Place did not satisfy us and that is what is currently pushing us to become even better. »»
This 6e Place was an encouraging sign for Lehmann.
“The level between the best six division B teams and the least efficient division A – I think of places 9 to 16 in division A – is quite similar. I think the level is really worth. So we are rather happy with this result. »»
Switzerland is about to make its U19 FIBA World Cup debut. For her very first match C group, she will face the Israel team, as she neophyte in the competition. It will then be opposed to the Dominican Republic and Jordan.
“I think each victory will be a fantastic accomplishment. The level will be incredible. There will be so many great teams here. It’s crazy! »»adds Lehmann.
Another player whose performances will be decisive for Switzerland is Dario Cokara, who could find a place for distribution in the starting five, even if he is two years younger than most of his opponents present in Lausanne.
Cokara has already left a trace in the annals of Swiss basketball: he helped Switzerland take 3e Place du Fiba Eurobasket U16 2024 Division B – A synonymous classification of promotion in division A for the first time.
Next summer, it will also be the first time that a Swiss national team will have taken part in a FIBA Eurobasket Jeunesse Division A. The only appearances of the country in a FIBA Eurobasket Jeunesse Division A are to be put to the credit of the U18 female selections in 1971 and U16 in 1976.
Dario Cokara could take care of the distribution
Cokara was the third best scorer of the team last summer with an average of 12.0 points per game. He notably illustrated himself by combining 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 interceptions in the decisive victory against Belgium (80-75) in the match for the 3e place.
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The quality of training in Switzerland is improving from year to year.
“We are very proud of this result”note Lehmann. “We will measure ourselves to stronger teams next summer. The quality of training in Switzerland is improving from year to year. We have more players. This summer, we will line up a completely different team in Division A (from FIBA Eurobasket U16) with boys born in 2009. ”
Lehmann says that Switzerland now shows good continuity in the supervision of its young people, while in the past, there was suddenly a strong generation, then nothing for 4 or 5 years.
One of the main reasons for this change and improving the level of young Swiss basketball players is the National Center for Swiss basketball (CNBS). The Swiss Federation launched this academy in 2021 by taking as a model the famous insep of its French neighbors. The CNBS brings together 16 players between 15 and 18 years old and the team evolves in the second national division – in a similar way to the INSEP team, which plays in NM1 (3rd French division) and which cannot be relegated or promoted.
“Our motivation was to create a framework that allows children to train twice a day – once for individual exercises and development, and once with the team”comments Lehmann, who was the national coach of France U18 in 1996 and who worked a lot with INSEP.
In addition to the CNBS, Switzerland has 24 teams participating in a National League U16 and 20 teams at the U18 level.
One of the reasons for satisfaction for Lehmann – and the Federation – is that officials are in contact with young players, which was not the case before. However, he remains aware that the level gap with the other nations in Europe is still large. The departure of several talented young people to make their ranges abroad suits him perfectly.
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Now players recognize the quality of the system in Switzerland
“From now on, players recognize the quality of the system in Switzerland. They have the choice between France, Germany, other places and Switzerland. And it’s very good like that. »»
Maniema plays in Spain, the winger Star Dayan Nessah also went through Spain before joining the American university championship. Andrin Njock joined the NCAA last season – but he couldn’t play because of an injury.
Dutch Nessah
Dutch Nessah
Dutch Nessah
Dutch Nessah
“Thanks to the CNBS, many young players are progressing every year. From now on, more and more Swiss have an opportunity to play in other European countries. This means that the level is rising and that it does not go unnoticed abroad ”underlines Maniema.
Some dhe best CNBS players will also leave. Cokara, best scorer of the team last season, will join the Paris Basketball training center, just like Melvine Mbamen, also a member of the national selection U19.
Most players who represent Switzerland during this U19 FIBA World Cup have passed through the CNBS, whose main coach is Ivan Rudez, also coach of the U19 team.
“You can imagine how difficult it is to manage children, to help them develop not only as players, but also as men. And I think Ivan is the right person in the right place ”indicates Lehmann about Rudez, who was the coach of the Geneva Lions from 2012 to 2016 – winning the championship twice and once the Cup – before becoming Slovakian coach from 2016 to 2018.
“He is really very good, players appreciate him and he knows how to impose discipline on the group, not too much, just enough. It works very well. »»
About Rudez, who is the older brother of former NBA player Damjan Rudez, Namiema declares: “Our coach is very experienced and he knows how to help young people progress and prepare them for major deadlines. »»
The U19 FIBA 2025 World Cup will also be an opportunity for the youth of the country to rub shoulders with the largest stars of Swiss basketball. NBA Players Clint Capela and Kyshawn George are indeed the ambassadors of the event. Author of a beautiful carrrière in the NBA, Thabo Sefolosha will also be present in Lausanne. Without forgetting all the world’s basketball personalities who will honor their presence the tournament organized on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Lehmann hopes that the Swiss selection will play with passion and determination, a way of serving as a source of inspiration independently of the results.
“This is exactly what we are expecting. We actually have no objective linked to the results. This event must serve as a source of inspiration for young people ”confirms Lehmann.
A large audience is expected and the excitement is large. Swiss Basketball can already consider that the U19 FIBA 2025 World Cup is a success.
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FIBA
Swiss Basketball’s Rising Tide: U19 FIBA World Cup adn Beyond
Lausanne (Switzerland) – As the world anticipates the U19 FIBA 2025 World Cup in Lausanne, Swiss basketball is experiencing a period of unprecedented optimism. The buzz around the upcoming tournament, set to run from June 28 to July 6, is palpable, and the leadership of Swiss Basketball is eager to see the lasting impact this global competition will have on the next generation of players. This excitement is amplified by the positive momentum gained from a historic summer in 2024 and the progress of their youth systems.
“We are really proud to face the best world teams, but we know that it will be very, very difficult,” acknowledges Erik Lehmann, Secretary General of Swiss Basketball, speaking on the challenge ahead. Lehmann recognizes the steep competition, but emphasizes the importance of the experience: “This tournament will be hard for us, that’s without a doubt. But we are happy. Players will enjoy a fantastic chance to show up.It will be an unbelievable experience. We have sold a lot of tickets, so I think this event will be a great source of inspiration for young people in our country, basketball players or not.”
Switzerland’s Youth Development: A Look at the CNBS and Beyond
The Swiss national team’s planning for the tournament, which is centered on the Center National de Basket-ball Suisse (CNBS), is now bearing fruit.The CNBS,with Ivan Rudez as its main coach,is pivotal in the development of young players,with some leaving the country to play abroad,which is a promising sign of growth. This is especially meaningful given the emphasis on youth development in switzerland.
Key Development Initiatives in Swiss Basketball
| Initiative | Description | Impact |
| :———————————- | :————————————————————————————————- | :——————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| CNBS (Centre National de Basket-ball Suisse) | National training center for U16 and U18 players, led by Ivan Rudez. | Provides professional coaching, skill development, and a pathway to higher-level competition. |
| National League U16 & U18 | Organized competitions for young players at the U16 and U18 levels, involving many teams across Switzerland. | Offers competitive experience and exposure; forms base for player development and selection into national teams. |
| Player Pathway to Europe & USA | Swiss basketball officials support young talent’s move to European leagues and American universities.| Facilitates skill growth in higher level of competition and builds on international experience. |
| U19 FIBA World Cup 2025 | Hosting the tournament, with NBA ambassadors such as clint Capela. | Provides inspiration and motivation for young players, increasing basketball’s visibility in Switzerland, boosts support for the sport at national level. |
The presence of NBA players like Clint Capela and Kyshawn George as ambassadors, along with Thabo Sefolosha, further elevates the profile of basketball in Switzerland and is expected to generate significant excitement. With passionate fans and a rising level of skill,Swiss basketball is on the cusp of a shining future.
FAQ: Answering Your Questions About Swiss Basketball and the U19 World Cup
Q1: What is the CNBS and what role does it play?
A1: The CNBS, or Centre National de Basket-ball Suisse, is the primary training center for young Swiss basketball players. it offers professional coaching, skill development, and prepares players for higher levels of competition, including national teams and professional careers.
Q2: How is swiss basketball developing its youth programs?.
A2: Switzerland is investing in thorough youth programs. These include participation in the CNBS, the development of teams at the U16 and U18 levels, and the support provided to young players seeking opportunities abroad.
Q3: Where can I watch the U19 FIBA World Cup 2025?
A3: Information on broadcast details, including TV channels and streaming platforms, will be available closer to the tournament date. Check the official FIBA and swiss Basketball Federation websites for updates.
Q4: Who are some of the key figures in Swiss basketball?
A4: Notable figures include NBA players Clint Capela,Kyshawn George,and Thabo Sefolosha,ambassadors for the U19 FIBA 2025 World Cup,and ivan Rudez,the main coach of CNBS.
Q5: what are Switzerland’s expectations for the U19 World Cup?
A5: The primary focus is to provide a valuable learning experience and inspire young people. The leadership has stated their ambitions are rooted in player development, with an understanding of the level gap with other European nations.
