Japan's Young Basketball Talent Set to Compete at MADCUP BASKET 2026

The Basketball Japan Academy, based in Tokyo and led by representative director Hideki Higashi, has partnered with EPG Corporation to launch an international development project aimed at nurturing young athletes. This initiative, named the bj GLOCAL Challenge, allows selected young players to represent Japan under the official team name JAPAN UN1TED. This project aims to strengthen skills domestically while also providing opportunities for young players to compete on international stages.

JAPAN UN1TED Team

All teams dispatched under this project will operate as JAPAN UN1TED. The name encapsulates the spirit of unifying the diverse talents of Japan’s youth under one banner to face the world. The partnership with EPG Corporation harnesses its network of international competitions and expertise in global exchanges, establishing a crucial foundation for Japanese youth to showcase their abilities on a wider stage.

Selected Categories for 2026 Teams

The 2026 teams representing JAPAN UN1TED will consist of three categories:

- U12 Boys (including elevated U12 players)
- U14 Boys
- U14 Girls

The selection criteria for these categories include performances at the bj CUP organized by the Basketball Japan Academy, and the TOMAS CUP managed by the Tokyo metropolitan area U12 basketball federation with the cooperation of the academy itself.

About the MADCUP BASKET 2026 Tournament

The teams from the bj GLOCAL Challenge are set to compete in the MADCUP BASKET 2026, the largest international tournament in Spain. Here are the details:

- Event Name: MADCUP BASKET 2026
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Dates: March 29 (Sunday) to April 1 (Wednesday), 2026
- Official Tournament Website: MADCUP BASKET 2026

MADCUP BASKET attracts strong clubs from Europe and around the world, making it one of the premier events for youth athletes. This is a significant opportunity for players to gain international experience competing against skilled opponents with advanced tactics and physical prowess.

Activities Within the bj GLOCAL Challenge

The bj GLOCAL Challenge will feature a series of activities geared towards maximizing international exposure:
1. Pre-Departure Training: On March 26, teams will conduct practice sessions domestically before heading to Spain.
2. Participation in the International Tournament:
- Competing in official matches during MADCUP BASKET 2026
- Facing off against youth clubs from different countries
- Learning about the basketball development culture and competitive style in Spain
- Engaging in international exchange and cultural experiences

Meaning Behind the Project Name: bj GLOCAL Challenge

The term GLOCAL stems from the fusion of Global and Local. This project embodies several principles:

- Constructing a pathway for players to challenge the global stage from local beginnings
- Creating opportunities for youth to experience international competition early in their careers
- Maximizing the potential of the next generation of Japanese basketball players

By embracing these principles, the project aims to offer a new platform for talented athletes across Japan step into challenges that await them beyond their local environments.

Comments from the Representative Director

Hideki Higashi, representative director, stated, “Thanks to our partnership with EPG Corporation, we can provide unprecedented opportunities for international challenges. The reason we initiated the bj GLOCAL Challenge is to make the idea of competing globally a natural career option for young Japanese players. Our upcoming challenge in Spain is just the first step in broadening the perspective of players to view their field as the entire ‘world.’ We will continue to provide opportunities for them to grow.”