NBA Eyes european League too Tap into Growing International Talent Pipeline
PARIS — The NBA is seriously considering launching a new league in Europe, driven by the desire to directly engage with and capitalize on the continent’s rich pipeline of basketball talent. Commissioner Adam Silver sees significant marketing potential and financial opportunities in europe, but more importantly, the move aims to secure the future of the NBA by strengthening ties with international player development programs.
Surge in International NBA Stars Fuels Expansion Plans
The increasing influence of international players in the NBA is undeniable. Approximately 25% of current NBA players are foreign-born, with a majority hailing from Europe. for six consecutive seasons, the league’s Most Valuable Player has been an international player, and European players have dominated recent NBA drafts. Since 2013, seven top draft picks have been international players, highlighting the success of European development programs.
European Academies: A proven Model for Player Development
Unlike the U.S. system, European basketball emphasizes structured youth development programs, often run by professional clubs. These “academies” nurture players as young as 13, providing complete training and fostering fundamental skills.This approach has molded players like Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who honed their skills in Europe before becoming NBA stars.
NBA Aims to Collaborate with European Basketball Ecosystem
The NBA acknowledges the strength of the European model and seeks to collaborate with existing academies. The league has pledged financial support to enhance Europe’s basketball ecosystem. Marco Baldi, a top executive with Alba Berlin, a German EuroLeague club with an extensive youth academy, emphasizes the importance of nurturing young talent.He believes a collaborative approach between the NBA and European clubs is essential to maximize player potential.
Direct Access: A Strategic Advantage for the NBA
By establishing a league in europe, the NBA aims to gain direct access to the proven player development systems on the continent. This strategic move would allow the NBA to cultivate relationships with young talent and ensure a consistent flow of skilled international players into the league.
European Basketball Academies: A Proven Path to NBA Stardom
The influx of European talent into the NBA, exemplified by stars like Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama, highlights the effectiveness of European basketball academies in developing elite players. These academies prioritize comprehensive skill development and high basketball IQ, providing a stark contrast to some aspects of the American youth basketball system.
Inside the European Basketball Academy System
European academies typically hold practices four to five times a week, dedicating significant time to individual skill work and team strategy. These sessions emphasize passing, off-ball movement, and defensive techniques. Players usually compete in one or two games per week, sometimes playing in higher age groups to accelerate their development. Larger, well-funded programs frequently enough feature a “B” team, bridging the gap between junior levels and professional play, allowing players to develop in a competitive environment without the intense pressure of top-tier leagues.
Skill Development and Basketball IQ: Key Differentiators
According to Miško Ražnatović, a Serbian-based agent, European academies focus on instilling fundamental skills and a high basketball IQ from a young age. This approach ensures that even exceptionally talented players like Jokić and Dončić are well-rounded and prepared for the NBA’s demands, despite perhaps lacking elite athleticism early in their careers.
AAU vs. European Academies: A Matter of Focus
While acknowledging the success of European academies, NBA veteran Chris Paul, who runs his own accomplished AAU program (Team CP3), notes significant lifestyle differences. He highlights the intensive, immersive environment of European academies where young players often live independently and train professionally from as early as 14 years old — a stark contrast to the american system. Paul’s Team CP3, like some other elite AAU programs, also produces NBA talent, including Collin Sexton and Coby White, and prioritizes player development and teaching. Paul also points out that not all AAU programs are created equal. He states that his own program avoids excessive game schedules, ensuring the well-being and development of its players.
Can the European Model Work in the U.S.?
Replicating the European academy system in the United States, with its vast population and established school basketball programs, faces considerable challenges. Though, the success of European players in the NBA underscores the value of their developmental approach, prompting ongoing discussions about youth basketball development in the U.S.
European Basketball Academies prioritize Teamwork, Technical Skills, Fueling NBA Pipeline
European basketball academies are increasingly recognized for their role in developing NBA talent, emphasizing teamwork and fundamental skills over individual play. Experts point to this development model as a key factor in closing the gap between European and American players.
Teamwork Over Individualism: The European Model
According to Alberto Angulo, director for Real Madrid’s basketball academy, the European approach prioritizes the team over individual achievement. “the American beliefs is, it’s very significant to be able to play one-on-one, but our philosophy is to understand how to share,” Angulo stated. He emphasized that Real Madrid focuses on instilling a team-first mentality in its players.
Academies Close the Gap
Himar Ojeda, former international scouting director for the Atlanta Hawks and current sports director for Alba Berlin, believes that European academies are instrumental in the rise of European players. Ojeda underlines the importance of individual player development,which he believes shouldn’t overshadow teamwork. “I really believe in working individually with the players to improve your game, but this is not more important than the team practice,” Ojeda explains. “The team practice is the most important thing because this is how you learn to play the game.”
Real Madrid’s Comprehensive Approach
The Real Madrid basketball program, supported by its multi-billion-dollar Real Madrid FC soccer franchise, offers a comprehensive development environment.The academy houses approximately 53 to 55 players, including a percentage of foreign players within each class. Teenagers in both the soccer and basketball academies live and learn together. They share housing, schooling, tutoring and training resources, along with meals and weight rooms.
Public funding Boosts French Academies
In France, basketball academies receive public funding to identify and develop young talent. An international federation acts as a central hub, hosting tryouts attended by academy directors from professional teams. While French academies like Elan Cholet and Gautier Academy have smaller rosters, with around 20-22 and 19 players respectively, they’ve produced notable NBA players such as Rudy Gobert and Tidjane Salaun.
financial Commitment to Development
Romain Chenaud, director of the academy in Chalon, highlights the significance of academies within European professional clubs. Chalon runs its academy spending about $540,000 each year, While Gautier Academy for Cholet spends about $410,000. Chenaud explains that academies allows team to find consistency between the culture the team creates and the financial structure.
“We are very focused on the technique,” Chenaud said.
European basketball Academies: Forging NBA Stars Through Technique and Chance
BELGRADE, Serbia – Behind the glitz and glamour of the NBA, lies a network of European basketball academies quietly shaping future stars. Mega Basket in Serbia and Alba Berlin in Germany stand out for their unique approaches to player development, producing talents like Nikola jokić and Franz Wagner.
Mega Basket: Crafting Playmakers from the Ground Up
Mega Basket, based in Belgrade, invests approximately €1 million annually to cover the costs for 30-35 players, starting at age 14. Funded through team revenues and corporate partnerships, the academy scouts and develops young talent, often providing housing for players from outside Belgrade.
Mega Basket’s philosophy emphasizes versatility. “We don’t want big men standing under the basket. They also have to dribble and shoot,” says a representative of Mega Basket, highlighting their focus on developing well-rounded players.This approach is evident in the success of alumni like Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić, Miami heat’s Nikola Jović, LA Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, and Orlando Magic’s Goga Bitadze, all known for their diverse skill sets.
the story of Nikola jokić’s finding is a testament to their scouting prowess. At 17, Jokić was playing for a small club when his impressive stat lines – consistently notching near 30 points and nearly 30 rebounds – caught the eye of Mega Basket scouts, leading to his recruitment without a prior in-person evaluation.
alba Berlin: building a Basketball Culture from the Ground Up
Alba Berlin takes a different approach, embedding itself within the city’s educational system. Their employees work within 100 elementary schools, running youth leagues and identifying promising players from a young age. At approximately 12 years old, standout players are invited to join Alba’s academy, encompassing teams across three age groups for both boys and girls, totaling around 100 players.
The entire Alba Berlin program, including youth leagues, in-school initiatives, and the academy, costs €5.5 million annually. Funding comes from a mix of federal and state funds, corporate sponsorships, and the club’s revenue.
This comprehensive strategy has produced over 70 professional players in Europe and the NBA. Notable alumni include Franz and Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic. Franz Wagner, who joined Alba’s youth league at age 7, credits the program’s accessibility for his start in basketball: “One of their big missions is not just creating like really good basketball players but also just getting more people into sports and having kids move and stuff like that.”
Technique as Identity: The Common Thread
Both Mega Basket and Alba berlin share a commitment to instilling strong fundamental techniques in their players. This emphasis provides a solid foundation for success at the professional level.As Mega Basket states, “We try to find the best way to teach kids…my pride and my goal is to have very good basketball players with good technique – technique is our identity.”
How European Basketball Academies are Shaping NBA Stars
European basketball academies are increasingly recognized for their role in developing NBA talent, emphasizing fundamental skills, spatial awareness, and basketball IQ from a young age.
The european Advantage: Fundamental Skills and Basketball IQ
Many NBA players who honed their skills in Europe credit their early development for their success in the league.These programs prioritize understanding basketball concepts, practicing fundamentals, and developing spatial awareness.
Franz Wagner, who played in the Alba Berlin program, said he was taught the basics and learned the bigger skills at a young age that can be applied to anything. The program stresses fundamentals, practice and understanding basketball concepts with vigor and intensity. He believes this foundation prepared him for the NBA.
“Once you have that spatial awareness,now you can solve the little puzzle that a pick and roll is,” Wagner said. “I think we just learn those basic, bigger skills that you can just apply to anything. I think I learned those from probably a young age.”
A Model for the Future?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed interest in seeing the next generation of NBA players learn fundamental skills at an earlier age. He noted that players such as Wagner, Victor wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo benefited from their development in Europe.
What specific actions is the NBA planning to take to collaborate with, and financially support, existing European basketball academies, and what is the intended outcome of these actions?
NBA Eyes European League to Tap into Growing International Talent Pipeline
PARIS — The NBA is seriously considering launching a new league in Europe, driven by the desire to directly engage with and capitalize on the continent’s rich pipeline of basketball talent. Commissioner Adam Silver sees significant marketing potential and financial opportunities in Europe, but more importantly, the move aims to secure the future of the NBA by strengthening ties with international player advancement programs.
Surge in International NBA Stars Fuels Expansion Plans
The increasing influence of international players in the NBA is undeniable. Approximately 25% of current NBA players are foreign-born, with a majority hailing from Europe. For six consecutive seasons, the league’s moast Valuable Player has been an international player, and European players have dominated recent NBA drafts. Since 2013,seven top draft picks have been international players,highlighting the success of European development programs.
european Academies: A Proven Model for Player Development
Unlike the U.S. system, European basketball emphasizes structured youth development programs, ofen run by professional clubs. These “academies” nurture players as young as 13, providing complete training and fostering fundamental skills. This approach has molded players like Victor Wembanyama,Luka Dončić,Nikola Jokić,and Giannis Antetokounmpo,who honed their skills in Europe before becoming NBA stars.
NBA Aims to Collaborate with European Basketball Ecosystem
The NBA acknowledges the strength of the European model and seeks to collaborate with existing academies. The league has pledged financial support to enhance Europe’s basketball ecosystem. Marco Baldi, a top executive with Alba Berlin, a German EuroLeague club with an extensive youth academy, emphasizes the importance of nurturing young talent. He believes a collaborative approach between the NBA and European clubs is essential to maximize player potential.
Direct Access: A Strategic Advantage for the NBA
By establishing a league in Europe, the NBA aims to gain direct access to the proven player development systems on the continent. This strategic move woudl allow the NBA to cultivate relationships with young talent and ensure a consistent flow of skilled international players into the league.
European Basketball Academies: A proven Path to NBA Stardom
The influx of European talent into the NBA, exemplified by stars like Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama, highlights the effectiveness of European basketball academies in developing elite players. These academies prioritize comprehensive skill development and high basketball IQ, providing a stark contrast to some aspects of the American youth basketball system.
Inside the European Basketball Academy System
European academies typically hold practices four to five times a week, dedicating significant time to individual skill work and team strategy. These sessions emphasize passing,off-ball movement,and defensive techniques. Players usually compete in one or two games per week, sometimes playing in higher age groups to accelerate their development. Larger, well-funded programs frequently enough feature a “B” team, bridging the gap between junior levels and professional play, allowing players to develop in a competitive habitat without the intense pressure of top-tier leagues.
Skill Development and Basketball IQ: Key Differentiators
According to Miško ražnatović, a Serbian-based agent, European academies focus on instilling fundamental skills and a high basketball IQ from a young age. This approach ensures that even exceptionally talented players like Jokić and Dončić are well-rounded and prepared for the NBA’s demands, despite perhaps lacking elite athleticism early in their careers.
AAU vs. European Academies: A Matter of Focus
While acknowledging the success of European academies, NBA veteran Chris Paul, who runs his own accomplished AAU program (Team CP3), notes significant lifestyle differences. He highlights the intensive, immersive environment of European academies where young players often live independently and train professionally from as early as 14 years old – a stark contrast to the American system. Paul’s Team CP3, like some othre elite AAU programs, also produces NBA talent, including Collin Sexton and Coby White, and prioritizes player development and teaching. Paul also points out that not all AAU programs are created equal. He states that his own program avoids excessive game schedules, ensuring the well-being and development of its players.
Can the European Model Work in the U.S.?
Replicating the European academy system in the United States, with its vast population and established school basketball programs, faces considerable challenges. Though, the success of European players in the NBA underscores the value of their developmental approach, prompting ongoing discussions about youth basketball development in the U.S.
European Basketball Academies prioritize Teamwork, Technical Skills, Fueling NBA Pipeline
European basketball academies are increasingly recognized for their role in developing NBA talent, emphasizing teamwork and fundamental skills over individual play. Experts point to this development model as a key factor in closing the gap between European and American players.
Teamwork Over Individualism: The European Model
According to Alberto Angulo,director for Real Madrid’s basketball academy,the European approach prioritizes the team over individual achievement. “the American beliefs is, it’s vrey significant to be able to play one-on-one, but our ideology is to understand how to share,” Angulo stated. He emphasized that Real Madrid focuses on instilling a team-first mentality in its players.
Academies Close the Gap
Himar ojeda, former international scouting director for the Atlanta Hawks and current sports director for Alba Berlin, believes that European academies are instrumental in the rise of European players. Ojeda underlines the importance of individual player development, which he believes shouldn’t overshadow teamwork. “I really believe in working individually with the players to improve your game, but this is not more important than the team practise,” Ojeda explains. “The team practice is the most important thing because this is how you learn to play the game.”
Real Madrid’s Comprehensive Approach
The Real Madrid basketball program, supported by its multi-billion-dollar Real Madrid FC soccer franchise, offers a comprehensive development environment. The academy houses approximately 53 to 55 players, including a percentage of foreign players within each class. Teenagers in both the soccer and basketball academies live and learn together. They share housing, schooling, tutoring and training resources, along with meals and weight rooms.
Public funding Boosts french Academies
In France, basketball academies recieve public funding to identify and develop young talent. An international federation acts as a central hub, hosting tryouts attended by academy directors from professional teams. While French academies like Elan Cholet and Gautier academy have smaller rosters, with around 20-22 and 19 players respectively, they’ve produced notable NBA players such as Rudy gobert and Tidjane salaun.
financial Commitment to Development
Romain Chenaud, director of the academy in Chalon, highlights the importance of academies within European professional clubs. Chalon runs its academy spending about $540,000 each year, While Gautier Academy for Cholet spends about $410,000. Chenaud explains that academies allows team to find consistency between the culture the team creates and the financial structure.
“We are very focused on the technique,” chenaud said.
European basketball Academies: Forging NBA Stars Through technique and Chance
BELGRADE, Serbia – Behind the glitz and glamour of the NBA, lies a network of European basketball academies quietly shaping future stars. Mega Basket in Serbia and Alba Berlin in Germany stand out for their unique approaches to player development,producing talents like nikola Jokić and Franz Wagner.
Mega Basket: Crafting Playmakers from the Ground Up
Mega Basket, based in Belgrade, invests approximately €1 million annually to cover the costs for 30-35 players, starting at age 14. Funded through team revenues and corporate partnerships, the academy scouts and develops young talent, frequently enough providing housing for players from outside Belgrade.
Mega Basket’s philosophy emphasizes versatility. “We don’t want big men standing under the basket. They also have to dribble and shoot,” says a representative of Mega Basket, highlighting their focus on developing well-rounded players.This approach is evident in the success of alumni like Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić, Miami Heat’s Nikola Jović, LA Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, and Orlando Magic’s Goga Bitadze, all known for their diverse skill sets.
The story of Nikola jokić’s finding is a testament to their scouting prowess. At 17, Jokić was playing for a small club when his impressive stat lines – consistently notching near 30 points and nearly 30 rebounds – caught the eye of Mega Basket scouts, leading to his recruitment without a prior in-person evaluation.
Alba Berlin: building a Basketball Culture from the Ground Up
Alba Berlin takes a different approach, embedding itself within the city’s educational system.Their employees work within 100 elementary schools, running youth leagues and identifying promising players from a young age. At approximately 12 years old, standout players are invited to join Alba’s academy, encompassing teams across three age groups for both boys and girls, totaling around 100 players.
The entire Alba Berlin program, including youth leagues, in-school initiatives, and the academy, costs €5.5 million annually. Funding comes from a mix of federal and state funds, corporate sponsorships, and the club’s revenue.
This comprehensive strategy has produced over 70 professional players in Europe and the NBA. Notable alumni include franz and Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic. Franz Wagner, who joined Alba’s youth league at age 7, credits the program’s accessibility for his start in basketball: “One of their big missions is not just creating like really good basketball players but also just getting more people into sports and having kids move and stuff like that.”
Technique as Identity: The Common Thread
Both mega Basket and Alba Berlin share a commitment to instilling strong fundamental techniques in their players. This emphasis provides a solid foundation for success at the professional level. As Mega basket states, “We try to find the best way to teach kids…my pride and my goal is to have very good basketball players with good technique – technique is our identity.”
How European Basketball Academies are Shaping NBA Stars
European basketball academies are increasingly recognized for their role in developing NBA talent, emphasizing fundamental skills, spatial awareness, and basketball IQ from a young age.
The European advantage: Fundamental Skills and Basketball IQ
Many NBA players who honed their skills in Europe credit their early development for their success in the league. These programs prioritize understanding basketball concepts, practicing fundamentals, and developing spatial awareness.
Franz Wagner, who played in the Alba Berlin program, said he was taught the basics and learned the bigger skills at a young age that can be applied to anything.The program stresses fundamentals, practice and understanding basketball concepts with vigor and intensity. He believes this foundation prepared him for the NBA.
“Once you have that spatial awareness, now you can solve the little puzzle that a pick and roll is,” Wagner said. “I think we just learn those basic, bigger skills that you can just apply to anything. I think I learned those from probably a young age.”
A Model for the Future?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed interest in seeing the next generation of NBA players learn fundamental skills at an earlier age. He noted that players such as Wagner, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo benefited from their development in Europe.
Q&A: Unpacking European Basketball Academies
Why are European Academies so Effective?
European academies focus on fundamental skills, high basketball IQ, and teamwork from a young age. They emphasize structured training, individual skill work, and strategic game play, creating well-rounded players. This contrasts with some aspects of the American youth system, which can sometimes prioritize individual performance over overall development.
What are the Key Differences Between European and American Youth Basketball?
European academies often involve more intensive training schedules, with players starting professional-style training at a younger age. They often live and train away from home. American youth basketball, while also producing NBA talent, may have more emphasis on individual game play and less on fundamental skills.Chris Paul’s Team CP3, is an exception.
How Does Public Funding Support European Academies?
In countries like France,public funding helps identify and develop young talent,ensuring that academies can maintain quality programs and attract top prospects. This funding also helps lower the financial burden on families, making the sport more accessible.
Can the European Model be Replicated in the U.S.?
Replicating the European model in the U.S. faces challenges due to the size of the population, the existing school systems, and the established AAU programs. However, the success of European players in the NBA is sparking discussions about how to improve youth basketball development in the U.S. by implementing parts of the European approach.
What is “Basketball IQ” and Why is it Critically important?
“Basketball IQ” refers to a player’s understanding of the game, including tactics, strategy, and spatial awareness. European academies prioritize developing these skills from a young age, helping players make better decisions on the court.This leads to players who understand the game at a deeper level.
Trivia:
Did you no that Luka Dončić’s father was also a professional basketball player? This highlights how basketball is frequently enough a family affair in European development.
The NBA’s interest in European academies shows the value of patience and long-term vision in developing future NBA stars. By fostering these skills early, the NBA hopes to ensure a continuous flow of skilled international players into the league.
