By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner expressed optimism ahead of Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors regarding the prospect of ALBA Berlin joining a projected NBA Europe league. “We’ll see how it comes together. I think it’ll be a great thing for European basketball, if it’s done right,” he noted, adding that ‘the NBA could add something really good in Europe’.
The Berlin native and former ALBA youth product emphasized safeguarding local history. “We got great basketball culture and fan culture there, so however it comes together, I hope that that still is in place. And I think same with ALBA Berlin. I think there’s a lot of good infrastructure there in place, a lot of fans already there, so hopefully there’s a way to add something new and still keep that tradition,” explained Wagner.
The proposed 16-team tournament, backed by the NBA and FIBA, is scheduled to launch at the start of the 2026–27 season. Organizers are advancing these plans independently of Euroleague Basketball, though both sides want to avoid market fragmentation.
The structure reserves 12 permanent spots alongside a 25% merit-based allocation. This setup leaves four open slots for the inaugural season, including the finalists of the Basketball Champions League, where the Albatrosse, reigning champions of Germany’s easyCredit BBL, currently compete at the continental level. Two more tickets will be available in season-ending tournaments directly linked to domestic leagues across Europe.
Following his comments, the 346-game veteran in the NBA delivered on the court, posting a double-double to lift Orlando past Toronto at Scotiabank Arena. The win moved the Magic to 2–3 in the 2026–27 Regular Season and 1–0 in the Emirates NBA Cup 2026.
Head coach Sean Sweeney’s squad now returns home to Kia Center for a back-to-back stretch, hosting the Boston Celtics on Sunday and the Washington Wizards on Monday.
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