FIBA 1215
Papapetrou guides Greece past gallant New Zealand
New Zealand left it all out there in a display filled with bravery and belief but it just wasn’t enough in the end as Greece, eventually, secured their spot in the second phase. Emmet Ryan reports from Manila Being a Tall Black is a vocation because you’ve got to be devoted to dream of this […]
Steve Kerr may regret not testing Kessler
It was another easy win for the USA as they took care of Jordan with ease at the 2023 FIBA World Cup but Emmet Ryan thinks Steve Kerr missed a golden opportunity to test his emergency option It’s not like the USA appear to need much help so far at this World Cup. Comfortable victories […]
Valanciunas proves that this is his court
It took a while for the big man battle to get going but once it did, Jonas Valanciunas was decisive in his duel with Nikola Vucevic as Lithuania moved to 3-0 with victory over Montenegro Basketball is a complex game involving movement, sets, knowing when to be opportunistic, adjustments, and so much more. Sometimes however […]
USA coast past Greece but that may be a worry for the Americans
It felt like a glorified exhibition from early on and that’s bad news for the victors, writes Emmet Ryan. Austin Reaves may be beloved by the locals but cruise control in Manila isn’t ideal even if it lead to a comprehensive win over Greece Take your pick really. Staring down the interior D of the […]
For Bonn, to win just once would be enough
On Sunday, in the Basketball Champions League final, Telekom Baskets have a chance at the first major trophy in the club’s history. The Bonn club has been waiting a long time for this moment Fun is, and this may be the least controversial take I’ve ever made in a lifetime of irritatingly largely calm and […]
Ireland’s men know their fate but what’s their future?
Having drawn Croatia and Luxembourg in the third round of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 pre-qualification, Ireland’s path over the next cycle or two has become clearer The draw could have been a lot worse but there was only so much better that it could have really gotten. That’s the nature of the pre-qualification format for EuroBasket […]
Malaga’s hosting win is the secondary story in BCL F4 drama
Unicaja Malaga fans will get to watch their team challenge for the Basketball Champions League title in their own arena but the decision is shrouded in drama as Hapoel Jerusalem missed out on hosting I am often wrong and rarely informed. I said as much last night as the expectations over where the Basketball Champions […]
Irish Pat Connaughton steps up as Giannis watches with joy
While the Greek Freak was forced to sit with injury, Pat Connaughton stepped up off the bench big time for the Milwaukee Bucks The European connection with the Milwaukee Bucks is well known, after all they’ve got the two time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother Thanasis on the roster. There is, of course, […]
Telekom Baskets Bonn finally get their big shot
They have waited so long to be in the conversation when it matters. On Tuesday night, in front of their own fans, Telekom Baskets Bonn earned their shot by making it to the Basketball Champions League Final Four. Emmet Ryan on the journey for a fanbase that has earned these kinds of nervy nights. I […]
Salary caps and Europe are an odd mix
With France announcing it was bringing in some form of salary cap for LNB from next season, Emmet Ryan on why such a format is a challenge on the continent in near any form France has announced it is bringing in a salary cap, understandably drawing the odd comparison to the NBA, but France is […]
Wembanyama’s wild run
While he’s already a lock for top pick in the NBA Draft, there’s a two week run coming up that promises the most in-depth look at what Victor Wembanyama offers at the next level Think, if you would, of this Friday as the amuse-bouche. Victor Wembanyama’s Metropolitans 92 side play a home game against JDA […]
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 […]