By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
German prospect Jack Kayil has secured his professional future by committing to a long-term, multi-year contract with ALBA Berlin, according to a report by Rupert Fabig of the Hamburger Abendblatt on Friday morning.
The 20-year-old point guard, who was recently selected 39th overall by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm, was indeed expected to remain in Europe to focus on his development rather than transitioning immediately to North America.
This decision untangles a complex three-way deadlock involving the reigning NBA champion Knicks, Kayil’s parent club Mega in Serbia, and a handful of competing suitors across Germany’s easyCredit BBL.
The Berlin native spent the 2025–26 season on loan with the Albatrosse, where he enjoyed a phenomenal breakout campaign. During that stretch, he spearheaded the team to a Bundesliga championship while capturing both the domestic league’s Best Young Player award and the Basketball Champions League’s Best Young Player honors.
However, his contractual rights for the upcoming 2026–27 season technically remained with Belgrade-based Mega. This contractual limbo left his immediate future uncertain as multiple teams closely monitored his availability. While the Knicks preferred a draft-and-stash approach to preserve their own roster and financial flexibility, rival German clubs aggressively pushed to acquire the rising playmaker. Ultimately, the Berlin outfit navigated the financial hurdles by agreeing to pay a formal buyout fee to Mega.
By finalizing this long-term deal, Kayil guarantees himself an impactful role and elite competition in Europe, balancing his domestic BBL duties with the BCL, while New York retains his draft rights for the future.
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