Lithuanian Basketball Icon Voices Concerns as NBA Europe Looms
VILNIUS, Lithuania – November 19, 2023 – As the proposed “NBA Europe” league gains traction, legendary Lithuanian basketball player and coach Jonas Kazlauskas has expressed apprehension regarding the ongoing division between FIBA and the EuroLeague, warning that a resolution is crucial for the future of the sport. His comments, made during a recent appearance on the LRT program “Atviras Derinys,” come amid reports that several EuroLeague powerhouses – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and ASVEL - are considering leaving the existing European competition to join the new venture.
The potential fracturing of European basketball, coupled with the introduction of “NBA Europe,” raises critically important questions about the future structure of the game on the continent. Currently, a lack of consensus between FIBA, the international governing body, and the EuroLeague, the premier European club competition, threatens to create further instability. Kazlauskas suggested that a complete acquisition of the EuroLeague by the NBA-given its financial resources-could be a potential solution, eliminating the need for a competing league. “If there were a common language, perhaps the NBA would buy the EuroLeague. They have the money,” he stated.
Kazlauskas emphasized the necessity of resolving scheduling conflicts and prioritizing the needs of clubs, national teams, and players. “Until these disagreements are resolved, and the schedule is arranged in the best way for clubs, national teams, and players, nothing will happen,” he said.
Recent reports indicate Lithuania currently has no direct placement allocated within the “NBA Europe” framework. Lithuanian clubs would need to qualify through the FIBA Champions League to participate. The discussion follows a recent public endorsement of the EuroLeague by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda in late October, a statement that unexpectedly fueled debate about the future of European basketball.
