By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former NBA top draft pick Andrea Bargnani believes the potential launch of a new top-tier league in Europe, widely referred to as NBA Europe, could transform Italian basketball’s financial outlook.
In a recent interview with La Repubblica’s Cosimo Cito, the former forward-center emphasized the structural growth the project could bring.
“It will benefit the momentum, move capital, and attract new investors who would not have considered entering the league without this opportunity,” he mentioned.
Since calling it a day in 2017, the Rome native focused on additional options before stepping back into the sport. He currently serves as an executive advisor for the LBA, after accepting an invitation from league president Maurizio Gherardini.
Ahead of the 2026–27 LBA UnipolSai Regular Season, which tips off this weekend, Bargnani welcomed the return of the capital city, with BC Roma and Maxima Roma taking over the spots previously held by Germani Brescia and Vanoli Cremona. He pointed out that while established clubs have provided a solid foundation, major metropolitan markets are essential for modernizing the sport. “If our league wants to expand, that’s where it needs to go,” he noted.
The seven-footer originally made history in 2006 as the first European player selected first overall in the NBA draft. He went on to play ten seasons in North America with the Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets. Overall, he logged 561 NBA appearances, including 11 in the Playoffs, and also made his way to 38 EuroLeague games.
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