EVERY DAY over the next three weeks, the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai will be packed with hundreds of talented young basketball players and sports buffs. A total of 270 up-and-coming players will take part in the annual Nike All-Hong Kong Youth Basketball League, which begins at the stadium today. The league, launched in 1997, is one of the most competitive youth tournaments in Hong Kong. Following a five-month training programme earlier this year, the selected players will be divided into eight boys' 19-and-under, six boys' 16-and-under and four girls' teams. The top four teams from each division will advance to the playoffs which begin on August 17. The finals are scheduled for August 22. This year's top draft pick in the boys' 19-and-under category, Wong Chun-wai, of Team Force, says the league is a great training ground. When he first joined the league two years ago, he was just a tall guy who knew nothing about basketball. 'I was just a bench player in the first year and didn't know much about basketball. No-one really knew me at that time,' says the centre. With intense training and more playing opportunities, Wong started to develop his skills. Last year, he got a starting place and won the rebound award as well. Wong says the league gave him valuable experience and he began to play better under pressure. 'There is a big crowd at league matches. I was not used to that at the beginning and got very nervous,' he says. 'After last year's experience, I can handle pressure better now.' As captain, he hopes to lead Team Force to the championship later this month. Tonight, they will take on Team Foamposite, led by point guard Chan Yiu-cho. Wong says good team spirit and communication among players are crucial for success. Forward So Yi-chun, of Team Flight, is also in his third year in the league. So says his ultimate goal is to do his best and enjoy the game. 'Playing in the league is a lot of fun,' the 19-year-old says. 'Every year, you team up with different players and you have to face different opponents.' So says it is a challenge to take on players of the same age and he hopes to gain recognition through the league. He is happy to see how the other players have improved. 'You know how good and strong people at your age are and this can push me to improve my skills,' he says, adding that the league gives him the chance to learn how to get along with others. Today's schedule: 4pm Team Air Max vs Team Air Zoom; 5.30pm Lady Air Zoom vs Lady Tuned Air; 7pm Junior Turbulence vs Junior Uptempo; 8.30pm Team Force vs Team Foamposite. For team lineups and tournament schedule, go to www.nike.com.hk