University of Peloponnese, Greece)

Abstract: The aim of this study was the assessment of the physiological and anthropometric parameters of the selected and non-selected national team players with the underlying aim of attempting to determine: a) the criteria and process behind their selection, b) a physiological profile of elite male young basketball athletes depending on their playing positions. In detail, 60 young basketball players were recruited for this study. The players were classified, depending on their playing position, in Point guard (PG: selected: n = 8, non-selected: n = 19), Forward (F: selected: n = 6, non-selected: n = 14), Center (C: selected: n = 4, non-selected: n = 9). All of the above players participated in the Developmental Programme of the Hellenic Basketball Federation during the years 2017–2019. The selected players were members of the National U16 Team of Greece in the 2018 and 2019 European Championships Division A, in Novi Sad and Udine accordingly. Anthropometric measurements included age, height, weight, body fat percentage (%) and training age. Physical fitness tests included CMJ, CMJ with arm swing (CMJas), Agility T-drill test and 5-10-5 m test, while measurements were performed at the beginning and end of each of their participations in the national team. The main findings of the research suggest that body weight, jumping ability (CMJ and CMJas) as well as performance outcomes in the T-drill agility tests and the 5-10-5m test are the main factors on the basis of which the athletes of the three (3) examined playing positions (Point Guards, Forwards, Centers) are selected to staff the National U-16 Men's Basketball Teams of Greece.