by: Rick Manahan
The Grind Session’s global reach continues to expand this season with the addition of its first-ever European program, Star Alliance, based in Italy. Leading the charge for this historic team is Ricards Aizpurs, a 6’5” guard from Riga, Latvia, who is quickly becoming one of the top international prospects in the class of 2027.
Aizpurs has been part of the prestigious Stella Azzurra program for the past few years — a development academy renowned across Europe for producing elite-level talent. Stella Azzurra, founded in 1938 in Rome, has long been recognized for its world-class player development system that has sent athletes to both top European leagues and the NBA.
Ricards Aizpurs Star Alliance Guard
Now, with Stella Azzurra joining forces with Orange1 Bassano to form The Star Alliance, the two powerhouse academies have created a unified platform that offers athletes elite training, NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) support, university visibility, and professional career preparation. The goal: to bridge European basketball development with the exposure and competition of the Grind Session’s global circuit.
For Ricards, the timing couldn’t be better. The merger gives him the perfect stage to refine his game against high-level international opponents while increasing his exposure to NCAA and professional scouts.
Aizpurs’s breakout moment came on the international stage at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024, where he dominated for Latvia — averaging 18.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. His performance turned heads across Europe, establishing him as one of the most complete young guards in international basketball.
In 2024–25, he was a key member of the Next Gen team that captured the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich Tournament title, showing poise and confidence well beyond his years. His résumé continued to grow this past summer as he participated in the Basketball Without Borders Europe Camp, where he was named to the All-Star Five, an honor reserved only for the most outstanding players in attendance.
Aizpurs also took part in the prestigious adidas Eurocamp, where he competed against some of the best youth players in the world and earned praise from scouts for his basketball IQ, shot creation, and maturity on the floor.
Ricards Aizpurs made his Grind Session debut at the Bridge of Hoops Invitational in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy, this past October — and he wasted no time making an impression.
In a matchup against Southeastern Prep (FL), one of the top programs in the United States, Aizpurs exploded for a career-high 38 points, adding 3 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting an efficient 15-of-28 from the field and 5-of-12 from three-point range.
Ricards Aizpurs Star Alliance Guard drives to the hoop
It was a performance that solidified his reputation as a dynamic scorer capable of taking over a game from anywhere on the court. His confidence, pace, and feel for the game stood out even against elite American talent.
“Only the most outstanding players earn All-Star recognition,” one European scout noted. “Ricards has proven that hard work and passion for the game lead to great results — and this is just the beginning of a very big journey.”
Now, as Star Alliance prepares for its next Grind Session appearance in Toronto, Ricards Aizpurs continues to develop both his body and his skill set. His ability to score from all three levels, combined with his basketball IQ and work ethic, make him one of the top international names to follow heading into this summer’s FIBA season.
The combination of European fundamentals and Grind Session competition gives Aizpurs a rare pathway to grow as both a student of the game and a global athlete. For Ricards, it’s more than just development — it’s preparation for the next level.
The Star Alliance represents the future of international player development — a collaboration between Stella Azzurra Rome and Orange1 Bassano, two of Italy’s most respected basketball academies. Together, they are creating a modern, athlete-centered program designed to develop players through a full-circle approach: education, competition, and global exposure.
As the first European team in the Grind Session Power Conference, Star Alliance will compete against elite prep programs from the U.S. and Canada throughout the 2025–26 season — opening new doors for international talent to shine on one of the world’s most competitive prep basketball stages.
Quote of the Spotlight
“This is just the beginning of a big journey.”
— Ricards Aizpurs, Star Alliance (ITA)
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Ricards Aizpurs
Height: 6’5”
Class: 2027
Position: Guard
Hometown: Riga, Latvia
Team: Star Alliance (Italy)
Programs: Stella Azzurra Rome
Notables:
- 2024 FIBA U16 EuroBasket (Latvia) – 18.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
- 2024-2025 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich Champion
- 2025 Basketball Without Borders Europe All-Star Five
- 2025 Adidas Eurocamp Participant
- 38 Points vs Southeastern Prep – Bridge of Hoops Invitational (2025)
