By Semih Tuna / info@eurohoops.net
Galatasaray reached the Basketball Champions League Final Four, guided by the expertise of head coach Yakup Sekizkök.
The Turkish tactician spoke to Eurohoops about this major achievement, also touching on the club’s future. He revealed that there has been contact regarding the Istanbul team joining the proposed NBA European league.
“NBA and FIBA have informed us that there will be an ‘NBA Europe’ project—and they’ve expressed interest in Galatasaray being part of it,” Sekizkök said.
He outlined Galatasaray’s current approach and decision-making process regarding the situation.
“We’ve been in contact with both FIBA and EuroLeague. Our management has had a clear roadmap from the beginning of the season, and we’re following it precisely. We’ll decide what to do once the season ends. Whatever we choose will be based on Galatasaray’s long-term interests—thinking two or three years ahead. Ultimately, the final decision belongs to Galatasaray’s board.”
Sekizkök also shared his thoughts on the newly announced project to create a new competition on European soil.
“Right now, the EuroLeague is the top-level competition in Europe in terms of clubs, teams, and player quality. So it’s natural that people want to protect it. Still, if a new league can be created through a partnership that improves organization, team quality, scheduling, and format, then the EuroLeague doesn’t have to be excluded. We, the EuroLeague Coaches’ Association, also released a statement. The core message in all these statements isn’t ‘NBA stay away,’ but rather: ‘Let’s make a decision together.’”
He stressed that EuroLeague’s inclusion is essential.
“If this project happens, it will be a joint effort. I don’t believe EuroLeague and FIBA will be two separate entities. Right now, Europe’s best basketball teams are in the EuroLeague. Any ‘NBA Europe’ project that doesn’t include those teams can’t be the top competition on the continent,” Galatasaray’s head coach Yakup Sekizkök concluded.