# BWB Next Up basketball camp in Istanbul

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bwb-next-up-basketball-camp-in-istanbul
> Updated: 2026-08-25T10:22:24.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

The Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Next Up men’s camp has commenced in Istanbul, Turkey, at the Basketball Development Center. Organized by the NBA, FIBA, and the Turkish Basketball Federation, the event runs from August 26 to 29, 2026, marking the first implementation of the program’s new format during its 25th anniversary.

The camp features 78 high school-aged talents representing 44 countries and regions across six continents. Turkish participants include Beşir Briant, Darius Karutasu, Rüzgar Öpçün, Demir Öztürk, and Ömer Şık. The curriculum consists of athletic testing, skill development stations, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 matches, and life skills seminars.

Instruction is provided by NBA and FIBA personnel, including Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, Vlade Divac, Danilo Gallinari, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Jalen Suggs. Under the new BWB Next Up format, the program aims to select the top 80 male and 80 female players from outside the United States for specialized camps, with standout performers potentially earning invitations to NBA and WNBA All-Star organized BWB All-Star camps.

Beyond player development, the event serves as a platform for discussing future basketball initiatives. Kenny Atkinson noted that the upcoming NBA Europe project, planned for 2027, is intended to foster closer ties between the NBA, FIBA, and European clubs, which could potentially create more economic opportunities for players.

## Claims

- 78 high school-age athletes from 44 countries and six continents will participate. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Basketball Without Borders program is celebrating its 25th anniversary. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The BWB program was created in 2001 to identify and highlight promising young players. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The NBA, FIBA, and the Turkish Basketball Federation announced the first Men’s Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Next Up camp. (single source)
- The camp will take place in Istanbul from August 26 to August 29. (single source)
- More than 20 current and former NBA and FIBA players, coaches, and executives will participate. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Basketball Without Borders Next Up camp begins in Istanbul

The NBA, FIBA, and TBF have launched the first Basketball Without Borders Next Up men’s camp in Istanbul, hosting 78 elite prospects from 44 countries for professional training and development.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-to-host-inaugural-bwb-next-up-mens-basketball-camp

### 2026-08-05: Istanbul to Host Basketball Without Borders Next Up Camp in August 2026

NBA, FIBA and TBF will host the BWB Next Up men's camp in Istanbul (Aug 26‑29 2026) with 80 top youth players, NBA coaches and a women's camp planned for autumn.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/basketball-without-borders-next-up-camp-takes-place-in-istanbul

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Cite as: BWB Next Up basketball camp in Istanbul. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bwb-next-up-basketball-camp-in-istanbul