By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
With the NBA joining forces with FIBA, a new reality is emerging for European basketball, with growing uncertainty about the future.
The president of FIBA Europe, Jorge Garbajosa, and Luis Scola were in Madrid for the Sport Summit 2025 and talked about the NBA Europe plans and other basketball issues in Europe.
“The foundations have been laid,” started Garbajosa,“Basketball wants to be the most practiced sport in the world.”
“The NBA sees a weakness in Europe,” he added.
“The national team is the most important thing in sports, but without the clubs there is nothing,” he pointed out, “We must strengthen domestic leagues, because that’s where the best players will come from.”
“What can’t be happening is that the national leagues are not linked to the best European competition,” he furthered, “The good thing about this NBA agreement with FIBA is that teams can aspire to be the highest-level competition.”
Garbajosa also went into the requirements for a suitable top-tier club continental competition in Europe.
“When a competition is capable of generating 10 million dollars, I respect it. The model is different; it’s the most open competition in the world. An NBA Finals between Oklahoma and Indiana can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. There’s a draft, and teams strengthen,” he said, “We need a league with promotion and relegation. For me, this hybrid of the American model adapting to the European mentality is the key.”
“Fair for all parties”
Fellow former player and current chief executive officer of Openjobmetis Varese, Scola, shared his view on the increasing trend of European youngsters moving their talents to the NCAA.
“We have to find a way to make it fair for all parties. I’m not afraid of it; it could even be an opportunity. It has to be regulated, compensated, but I don’t think it’s a big problem,” he said, “It’s four years, not like when you go to the NBA, where you can spend your entire career. When you go to college, you finish and have to find a career. Player development is the area that’s grown the most and is key to the future.”
“Since October, we’ve created a framework with the NCAA to work with,” mentioned Garbajosa, “It’s hard for an 18-year-old to say no to seven-figure salaries, a degree, and a shorter path to the NBA.”