FIBA 1218
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Induct Duda: Dusan Ivkovic belongs in the Basketball Hall of Fame
Dusan Ivkovic is, finally, a finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame. It’s far past time. This April, it’s time for the Naismith to finally recognise a man who shaped the sport we love. The disgraceful part is that this debate is happening posthumously. Few people have influenced basketball like Dusan Ivkovic. He’s already a […]
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 […]
Ireland lose to Latvia but future hope feels real – EuroBasket Women
It wasn’t Ireland’s day in their qualifier against Latvia in EuroBasket Women. A game fight from the hosts wasn’t enough to take the W. Still, the pieces are coming together and it points to a positive future for the women’s national basketball side. The hope never left the arena. Ireland however exited still seeking a […]