The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to take basketball in the United Kingdom to the “next level”, says the New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby.
With the working title of NBA Europe, it is planned for launch in October 2027 and will consist of between 12 and 16 European teams – with London and Manchester expected to be included.
The deadline for final bids to own franchises was in June and it is hoped the identities of teams that will feature will begin to be announced this year, with the NBA receiving bids between $500m (£372m) and $1bn (£745m) for each target host city.
Anunoby is the standout current player of UK origin in the NBA, having played a starring role in the Knicks’ first NBA title win since 1973.
Alongside the Portland Trail Blazers’ Jeremy Sochan, the Boston Celtics’ Amari Williams and Tobi Lawal, who is set to make his NBA debut this season for the Dallas Mavericks, Anunoby makes up part of the NBA’s UK quartet.
“I think it is amazing,” Anunoby told BBC Sport when asked about the NBA Europe plans.
“Basketball continues to grow, especially here in London and in Manchester.
“It’s exciting and I think it is going to take basketball to another level out here.”
Plans for the league’s launch in just over a year’s time remain “on track”, with the league set to start in tandem with the 2027-28 NBA season.
“Planning is going really well. We’ve had an amazing amount of demand in the last couple of months for NBA Europe, particularly as bidding closed,” said Laura Pinnell, vice-president of Consumer Group and head of marketing for the NBA across Europe and the Middle East.
“I would say the UK is one of the biggest opportunities for us out of the whole project.
“The growth opportunity is incredible and actually a London franchise, there is discussion about a Manchester franchise. All of which are great opportunities for fans and also, youth and participation.”
Anunoby eyes back-to-back NBA titles
OG Anunoby (right) and the New York Knicks spent time celebrating with Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York City, after their NBA Championship win this summer [Getty Images]
Anunoby, a two-time NBA Championship winner, has spent time in his birth city of London this week during his off-season break.
As well as investing his own money as part of a grassroots court development in Camden, Anunoby has been eyeing the prospect of helping the Knicks win a second NBA title in as many years next season.
The NBA has had eight different champions in as many years, with no team being able to produce back-to-back titles since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
“That’s our goal this year,” said Anunoby in response to the prospect of ending the run of consecutive different winners.
But asked which of the Knicks’ 29 NBA rivals will pose their biggest threat, the 29-year-old said challenges will come from across the competition.
“The whole league,” added Anunoby.
“It is a very tough league and every team is capable and everyone is a threat.”
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