Markkanen the highlight of Europe’s stunning NBA All Star haul
While certainly not the most celebrated name among the five Europeans to make the NBA All Star game, given the context of where he is now in his career there’s no doubt that Lauri Markkanen’s selection is the most important amongst players from this continent There are many good and fun debates in European basketball […]
Winning is a habit and Bonn’s players like it
Telekom Baskets Bonn is one of the most in-form teams in Europe right now, winning 15 of its last 16, but Emmet Ryan wonders if this momentum can be used to finally claim a major honour There’s no shortage of silver. Telekom Baskets Bonn have been the second best team in Germany five times and […]
What if the BAL added some tiers?
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has done a great job of shining the sport’s spotlight on club basketball on the continent but Emmet Ryan has an idea entirely focused on development to build out the brand The BAL has done something which no other effort at hoops on the continent has ever managed before, it’s […]
Gavin Ware knows his worth
After another ridiculously efficient performance in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) from Gavin Ware, Emmet Ryan explains why the big man may be the most self-aware player in Europe right now Gavin Ware had the best performance you didn’t see this past week. In exactly 20 minutes on the floor he had 24 points on […]
Musa shows the renaissance is real
Dzanan Musa’s personal rebuild has been remarkable to watch as the former Brooklyn Nets man has found his happy place and is ready for another shot in the NBA, writes Emmet Ryan It was only one game. In truth, it was only one overtime period, but it was indicative of how Dzanan Musa has refined […]
A Love Story between a Community and Basketball
Top image: Credit Michelle La Grue Photography The Lithuanian community in Ireland is hoping for two causes for celebration on Sunday as Leixlip Zalgiris hope its fourth time lucky while Ieva Bagdanavičienė will play a big role for Killester. A former flatmate of mine once described Lithuania as the “Uruguay of basketball” referring to how […]
What to expect from Glickman at Euroleague? His own words are a good indication
A talk given by Marshall Glickman, the acting CEO of Euroleague, in Athens last April points to the real decisions facing not only the competition but sports as a whole. Emmet Ryan examines the most interesting comments from Glickman and what they might mean for Euroleague going forward The end of the Jordi Bertomeu era […]
Sergio Scariolo is the product of lifelong learning
With his fourth EuroBasket title being won two Sundays ago, making it his fifth major international trophy as a head coach to go along with a NBA championship as an assistant with the Toronto Raptors, Sergio Scariolo has had quite a career and he’s managed to stay relevant by refusing to stop learning. Emmet Ryan […]
Best and worst case scenarios for Ireland’s men next summer
With the draw for the second round of pre-qualifiers for EuroBasket 2025 being made, there’s a slightly clearer picture of who Ireland might face in their August 2023 qualifiers The draw for round two of EuroBasket’s drawn-out qualification process for the 2025 tournament was made on Thursday. Who Ireland’s men will face, indeed how many […]
Ireland Men’s Super League basketball preview: Games to watch in Week 14
With the Irish basketball season starting to heat up, gear up for Week 14 of the campaign with our pick of the three matches to keep your eye on. Be sure to follow all the latest statistics, updates and live scores from the Super League season via the Flashscore app or website. But where should […]
Irish women’s cup final preview
Sunday evening presents a cross Dublin-city clash as Killester, champions in 2020, take on a Trinity Meteors side seeking its first title since 1996. Emmet Ryan breaks it all down. Who, when, and where Killester vs Trinity Meteors National Basketball Arena, Tallaght Sunday 22 January 17.30 Irish time Watch: TG4/Basketballireland.tv Paths to the final Killester […]
Irish men’s cup final preview
Saturday night guarantees a new name on the Irish men’s cup as University of Galway Maree take on DBS Éanna. Emmet Ryan breaks down the big one Who, when, and where University of Galway Maree vs DBS Éanna National Basketball Arena, Tallaght Saturday 21 January 20.00 Irish time Watch: TG4/Basketballireland.tv Paths to the final Éanna […]
A well-aimed shot in the dark
Don’t let the age on the ID fool you, Charlie Crowley has proven his grown ass man credentials as University of Galway Maree’s head coach and he spoke with Emmet Ryan ahead of Saturday’s Irish men’s cup final against DBS Éanna There are things you’ve got to get used to as you get older. The […]
Jenkins fully focused on the big one
With DBS Éanna seeking a first Irish cup title this Saturday night against University of Galway Maree, Seán Jenkins spoke with BiE’s Emmet Ryan He’s as Cork as a bottle of Tanora beside a box of Barry’s* Tea but DBS Éanna’s Seán Jenkins will proudly and happily win the Irish cup with a Dublin club […]
History is no obstacle to Melia
With Trinity Meteors seeking a first Irish cup crown since 1996, Claire Melia spoke to Emmet Ryan about her journey back to the biggest stage of the season Few things are certain in sport, just ask the San Diego Chargers, but I’m willing to bet that few things are going to phase Claire Melia in […]