Blog Some thoughts
Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and marketing a feud
It’s got the fans. It’s got the personalities. Then there are the stakes. Few rivalries in basketball can compare to that of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Yet, is Euroleague doing enough to build on its most marketable rivalry? The rivalry that makes the rest of Euroleague come to a standstill is renewed on Friday. Basketball in […]
Mario Saint-Supery: A Sleeper Pick in the NBA Draft?
He’s not exactly climbing NBA draft boards but Mario Saint-Supery is getting real minutes for a contender in Europe. Emmet Ryan got a closer look at the young Spaniard on Tuesday night, in a loss for his Manresa side to Petkimspor in the Basketball Champions League. This sounds dreadfully obvious but it’s much easier to […]
What Claire Melia and Baxi Ferrol’s run means for Irish basketball
It’s a small, by Spanish standards, town in Galicia yet it has become the focal point for Irish basketball. Claire Melia and her amazing run with Baxi Ferrol in Eurocup Women will have a lengthy impact on the sport here no matter what comes next. It’s a big sign that nobody is sick of talking […]
Will a European Player Claim the NBA Finals MVP This Year?
With the dominance of international players in today’s game, the possibility of a European player snatching the NBA Finals MVP title feels more real than ever. Players like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Dončić are not just competing; they’re redefining how basketball is played. But does that generous helping of talent mean a European […]
The 5 Greatest Performances in Irish Basketball History
There’s no prizes for guessing the top choice in this selection but Emmet Ryan has scoured the archives in hard mode. Who will join Claire Melia in this ranking of the top 5 individual singles game performances in basketball by Irish citizens? Welcome to hard mode. That’s how I’d best describe this. The easy choice […]
Olympiacos impress but questions remain in Euroleague chase
There are different kinds of problems in basketball, or really sport, or actually life in general. These can be divided into bad problems and good problems. Emmet Ryan believes Olympiacos have good problems. Their win over Partizan showed that. In Euroleague, even good problems can cause headaches Despite the sterling efforts of the commentators, Olympiacos […]
Smart moves: EuroBasket 2025 hosts select their partners
With Poland confirming Iceland as its partner country for EuroBasket 2025 on Wednesday, we now know all four of the teams taking the slots. Emmet Ryan assesses this pairing plus those of Cyprus and Greece, Finland and Lithuania, and Latvia and Estonia It was the last piece waiting to fall into place. Who would Poland […]
The other 5 – Rare company for Ireland’s Claire Melia
Claire Melia will make history this Thursday. The BAXI Ferrol forward will become the first Irish woman to appear on the roster of a team in a semi-final of any European club basketball competition. Five men can claim that honour, Emmet Ryan explains the odd history of the other five. Basketball has a long history […]
Domino’s becomes title sponsor of Ireland’s national leagues
Domino’s Pizza has become the title sponsor of the Basketball Ireland Super League and Division 1 for both men and women. Domino’s Ireland has become the title sponsor for the men’s and women’s Super League and Division 1 basketball competitions in Ireland. The move follows the company’s Greek division becoming sponsor of Peristeri, in both […]
Quinn Ellis impresses as Trento claim maiden Coppa Italia
It was a MVP performance from Quinn Ellis as the Great Britain international guided Trento to their first ever Coppa Italia crown. Emmet Ryan on the controlled explosion the young man brought to the win over Olimpia Milano The Coppa Italia has sneakily become the cool cup in European basketball. Trento, or Aquila Basket Trento […]
Marcelinho Huertas and why we love old basketball players
Ballers come and go. Those that hang about longer than most, tend to get looked on fondly. Marcelinho Huertas gave us another reason to do that for Tenerife on Thursday night. His roll back the clock display against FC Barcelona in Copa del Rey is why we love old dudes. This corner hasn’t exactly been […]
Europe is missing an obvious opportunity with women’s basketball
The surge in consumer interest and investment in women’s basketball in the US has made it a rising star among sponsors. Yet on this side of the Atlantic, women’s hoops as an entity is a cost sink. Emmet Ryan on the issues, opportunities, and challenges ahead. There’s money in women’s hoops Stateside at a level […]