<![CDATA[Abstract: This study aims to analyze the role of basketball in character building for the youth generation in Gorontalo Province, known as the "Veranda of Medina." A qualitative approach with a case study design was used, involving informants from the provincial and district/city PERBASI (Indonesian Basketball Association) management, coaches, young athletes, and local policymakers. The results show that basketball contributes significantly to the development of discipline, teamwork, leadership, and integrity. Training programs that integrate life skills have been shown to be more effective in supporting positive youth development than conventional programs. However, major challenges include the limited number of active clubs (only two clubs focused on youth), minimal improvement in coach competency, and a suboptimal competition system. This study recommends integrating life skills into every training program, increasing coach capacity through coaching clinics, and strengthening collaboration between the local government, PERBASI, and basketball clubs in Gorontalo. Keywords: Basketball, Character Building, Gorontalo, PYD, Youth. ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis peran bola basket dalam pembentukan karakter generasi muda di Provinsi Gorontalo, yang dikenal sebagai "Serambi Madinah". Pendekatan kualitatif dengan rancangan studi kasus digunakan, melibatkan informan dari pengurus PERBASI provinsi dan kabupaten/kota, pelatih, atlet muda, serta pemangku kebijakan daerah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa bola basket berkontribusi signifikan terhadap pengembangan karakter disiplin, kerja sama tim, kepemimpinan, dan integritas. Program latihan yang memadukan kecakapan hidup (life skills) terbukti lebih efektif mendukung pengembangan positif remaja (positive youth development) dibandingkan program konvensional. Namun, tantangan utama meliputi keterbatasan klub aktif (hanya dua klub fokus usia muda), minimnya peningkatan kompetensi pelatih, dan sistem kompetisi yang belum optimal. Penelitian ini merekomendasikan integrasi kecakapan hidup ke dalam setiap program latihan, peningkatan kapasitas pelatih melalui klinik kepelatihan, serta penguatan kolaborasi antara pemerintah daerah, PERBASI, dan klub bola basket di Gorontalo. Kata Kunci: Bola Basket, Generasi Muda, Gorontalo, Karakter, Pemuda.]]>
