Why the ENBL Matters for Europe’s Basketball Future
Bratislava has been announced as the host of the ENBL Final Four. Far away from the elite of Euroleague or even the Basketball Champions League, Emmet Ryan writes that this competition can play an important role in the growth of the game. The reactions from Bamberg fans when they were announced as participants in this […]
Kenneth Faried: The Manimal Rises in Reggio Emilia
Kenneth Faried has re-found his purpose in basketball. The Manimal’s move to Reggio Emilia raised eyebrows in November. Now, Emmet Ryan writes, it is proving an inspiration in Serie A and the Basketball Champions League Reggio Emilia signed Kenneth Faried to change their fortunes in Serie A and the Basketball Champions League (BCL). While the […]
NBA’s Europe Play Must Bridge Euroleague and FIBA
The NBA plan for Europe seems to have hit a wall. Euroleague says it is open to negotiating with the basketball powerhouse. FIBA believes any NBA involvement in Europe must go through it. Emmet Ryan writes that any successful entity really requires the support and collaboration of both. The NBA is back in talks with […]
Olympiacos Outlasts Panathinaikos – A Euroleague final preview?
It was one of the most enjoyable Greek basketball derbies in a long time. Olympiacos outlasted Panathinaikos to make it eight straight wins for the Reds over the Greens in Euroleague. Emmet Ryan on how we might have just seen a preview of the championship game in Abu Dhabi. That was, simply, great. Obviously, Panathinaikos […]
Claire Melia, Baxi Ferrol Make History with Eurocup Final Berth
Battered, bruised, and brilliant. Baxi Ferrol have brought their Cinderella story to the final of Eurocup Women. In the process, Monasterevin’s Claire Melia has become the first Irish women to reach a major club final in basketball. Emmet Ryan on an emotional night. The wine was rationed. I needed to make sure I kept enough […]
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 […]