AUBG has officially taken a major step forward in its athletic journey with the recent establishment of its first-ever official basketball team. And in true AUBG spirit, the team wasted no time in making its mark on the court.
Just days after coming together, the AUBG basketball team headed to Greece to participate in the ACG International Sports Tournament, hosted by Deree – The American College of Greece. Despite being the newest team on the court—and having played their very first game as a unit on the opening day of the tournament—our players showed impressive determination, team spirit, and grit.
Competing against well-established teams composed of semi-professional players, the AUBG team held its own and finished in fourth place in a highly competitive field.
“Our boys played their first game as a team on the first day of the tournament,” said Coach Boyan Tenev. “And yet, they put up a fight in every match, never backing down. Every win against us was earned, not given. I can proudly say we were the most disciplined and organized team at the tournament—those are not just my words, but the words of Deree’s College Sports Director, Theodore Priskomatis.”
Coach Tenev also extended his gratitude to the host institution for their warm welcome and excellent organization. “We felt very welcome and taken care of throughout all four days. We’re especially thankful to Mr. Priskomatis for his hospitality.”
A special moment for the team came just before the third-place game, when President Margee Ensign and Provost J.D. Mininger surprised the players with their presence in the stands. “Seeing them there and the support they showed us was a moral boost we desperately needed after playing five games in just two and a half days,” said Tenev.
While the team didn’t bring home a trophy this time, the experience was a major win for the program—and for the future of athletics at AUBG.
“This was an extremely beneficial trip for us,” Tenev concluded. “Our players gained invaluable experience, bonded as a group, and shared plenty of laughs and positive moments—exactly what we hoped for. The future of AUBG Basketball is bright.”
