U22 League: Real Madrid renews its reserve team with Kutluay as a reference

The U22 League marks the beginning of a new season in Spanish basketball development. After Euroleague and Liga Endesa, September 25 stands out as the crucial date on the calendar for the affiliate teams of the major clubs. This is the second chapter of a competition designed specifically for young talents to take the spotlight, knock on the door of the first team, and for some, chart a path toward the NCAA for the 2027-28 season. This development model has established itself as a reference in the Spanish basketball ecosystem, offering prospects the chance to compete at a demanding level without leaving their club's structure.

Real Madrid: roster changes, continuity in management

Real Madrid, the current champion of the U22 League, faces this new edition with a revamped roster, which is typical for all teams participating in the competition. Despite the rotation of players, the white team maintains three key figures poised to take the lead of the affiliate team and, simultaneously, to knock on the door of the first team under Pedro Martínez's direction. The debut will be at home, in Group A, against Valencia Basket, a heavyweight rival also pursuing privileged positions.

Javi Juárez continues to lead the project, balancing the management of the U22 team with that of the junior team. This formula is reflected in a squad where several players will participate in both teams, simultaneously fighting for the junior Euroleague title. The reigning champion is among the main contenders to retain the title, although facing significant projects such as Barça Basket, Unicaja Málaga, Casademont Zaragoza, and Valencia Basket, all of whom have clear ambitions to compete for privileged positions.

Omer Kutluay: the Turk leading the new generation

Many teams in the U22 League have undergone significant changes in their rosters. Young talents have headed towards the NCAA or other European projects. Izan Almansa, for example, will play this season at Gonzaga. Real Madrid has also not been an exception and has modified its roster, although it retains a generation of top-level prospects led by Turkish Omer Kutluay. The guard returns after a great summer with his national team: 28.4 points, six rebounds, and 9 assists in the U17 World Cup, dropping to 9.9 points and two rebounds in the U20 Eurobasket. These numbers reflect the adaptation to a more competitive level, but also the potential of the Turkish international.

Kutluay is called to assume the leadership of the new generation of the Real Madrid U22 after the departure of players like Amosov, Almansa, Frolov, Hugo Alonso, or Grinvalds. His responsibilities will encompass both directing the game and providing leadership within a structure that aims to maintain the competitiveness of the white affiliate.

The Big3 of Real Madrid U22: Kutluay, Kayser, and Robinson

Alongside the Turkish talent are Fabian Kayser and Rhys Robinson, two names that complete what looks to be the reference trio of the white team this season. These three players form the core upon which Javi Juárez builds the competitive structure of the affiliate, intending for each of them to make the leap to the first team when circumstances allow.

Beyond the Big3: Fantic and Mera as future projects

Beyond this trio, the roster also includes young players expected to take on a significant role this season. Andrej Fantic and Pablo Mera are among the names to watch in the team's development. The latter is especially highlighted as one of the most promising projects for the upcoming season, with the potential to become one of the major leaders of the Real Madrid U22 in the next campaign.

The complete roster includes Ousmane Diarra, Seydou Dolo, Toni Garma, Osagioduwa Owol Hadi, Hugo Moreno, Jaime Roman, and Serigne Mourtalla Sarr. A squad that combines experience, youth, and potential, designed to compete in the U22 League while developing talent for the future of white basketball.

The competition that starts on September 25 represents a unique opportunity for these young players to prove themselves in a context of maximum demand. Real Madrid, as reigning champion, will have the responsibility to maintain its competitive level against established rivals, while managing the rotation of players between the U22 and junior teams. This balance will be key for the white project to remain a reference academy in Spanish basketball.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Liga U22: el Real Madrid renueva su filial con Kutluay como referente