10
Jun
Eurocamp
Cluff and Mackinnon make 'Max-imum' impact
Australia's Max MacKinnon attacks the basket during LSU's SEC Tournament clash with Kentucky at Bridgestone Arena. Three months later, the son of NBL legend Sam MacKinnon was named adidas Eurocamp Finals MVP after leading the NBL Next Stars to the championship in front of NBA scouts in Italy. MacKinnon's draft stock is rising. Photo: Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images
Game Replays
Max MacKinnon earned Finals MVP honours as the NBL Next Stars completed a perfect 3-0 campaign
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Son of a gun Max Mackinnon did his NBA draft or two-way potential no harm at the adidas Eurocamp in Italy earlier this week, nor did former Purdue Boilermaker centre Oscar Cluff.
Former LSU guard Mackinnon, who is the son of NBL legend Sam, and Cluff graduated from US colleges this year and are now on the NBA circuit ahead of the 2026 draft and Summer League in Las Vegas in July.
Led by Finals MVP MacKinnon, the Next Stars defeated Eurocamp 1 66-62 in the championship game in Treviso, Italy, completing an unbeaten run through one of the world's premier NBA Draft showcase events.
MacKinnon delivered when it mattered most, finishing with a game-high 21 points on 8-from-14 shooting, including 3-from-6 from beyond the arc, as the Next Stars overcame a physical and defensive battle to claim the title. The Australian guard also added four rebounds and five assists.
The victory capped a perfect 3-0 campaign, avenging last year's disappointment when the Next Stars fell short in the final.
Cluff was a force on the glass in the championship game, collecting 12 rebounds to go with six points, while Melbourne United NBL Next Star Dash Daniels continued his impressive tournament with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
South East Melbourne Phoenix Next Star Malique Lewis added seven points, seven rebounds and four assists in another all-round performance.
The individual honours continued after the final whistle.
Lewis earned selection in the All-Eurocamp Team for the second consecutive year, while Daniels was recognised as the camp's Best Defender after a standout week guarding some of the world's leading draft prospects.
Eurocamp 1 was led by David Torresani, who scored 12 points on 5-from-9 shooting.
Lithuanian prospect Arturas Butajevas contributed eight points and seven rebounds, while French forward Mohamed Diakite battled hard for four points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
MacKinnon's Finals MVP performance was the culmination of an outstanding tournament. Across the three games he averaged 18.7 points, five rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting efficiently from the field and three-point range.
The championship further strengthens the reputation of the NBL Next Stars pathway, which has produced 11 NBA Draft selections, including six first-round picks, over the past six drafts.
For Australian basketball fans, the tournament offered another glimpse into the future, with MacKinnon, Cluff, Daniels, Jai Fa'ale, Jayden Cecil, Justin Akengbowa and Mach Jongkuch all contributing to an unbeaten title-winning campaign in front of NBA scouts and executives from around the world.
NBL Next Stars 90 def. Team World 63 — adidas Eurocamp
What is adidas Eurocamp?
adidas Eurocamp is one of the world's premier pre-NBA Draft development and scouting camps, bringing together many of the best international basketball prospects aged 16 to 22 for three days of competition, skill development, coaching and exposure in Treviso, Italy.
Founded by Maurizio Gherardini, the event serves as a showcase for NBA, EuroLeague and professional club scouts looking to evaluate emerging talent from around the globe.
In 2026, more than 70 prospects from six teams competed across three days at La Ghirada Città dello Sport. The camp featured:
- Tournament games
- Team practices
- Pick-and-roll skill sessions
- Player mentorship programs
- Q&A sessions with NBA and EuroLeague figures
- Scouting evaluations
- Product launches and fan events
The camp's influence extends well beyond the court. Players gain direct access to coaches, executives and former participants who have successfully transitioned to professional basketball.
Guests at the 2026 event included:
- Kenny Atkinson
- Franz Wagner
- VJ Edgecombe
- Mike James
Why Eurocamp Matters
Eurocamp has become one of the most important international scouting events on the basketball calendar because it places elite prospects in a professional environment where they can:
- Compete against top international talent
- Work with NBA-level coaches
- Receive feedback from scouts and executives
- Build relationships within the global basketball community
- Improve their NBA and professional draft stock
Many future NBA players have used Eurocamp as a stepping stone to professional careers, making it one of the leading pathways for international prospects.
Australia's 2026 Success
Australia had a major impact on the 2026 camp through the NBL Next Stars team, which won the tournament championship.
Australian honours included:
- Max Mackinnon – Finals MVP
- Dash Daniels – Best Defender
- Malique Lewis – All-Eurocamp Team
