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Last week, Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport reported the NBA may offer to buy a controlling stake in EuroLeague. A source familiar with the matter tells FOS that EuroLeague is expecting an offer from the NBA, and that if one comes, EuroLeague owners will discuss the proposal during their own meeting, scheduled for Oct. 5.
At first, there were only rumors, then more tangible hints, until on June 25, Luka Dončić appeared in Rome and made it clear that he was part of the ownership or investment structure of BC Roma SPQR. This is a club that took over the competitive rights of Cremona, moved to the Italian capital and will compete in Serie A and the EuroCup in the new season. [....] However, everything indicates that the formation of the playing staff is not yet complete. According to Italian media, former German international and Dončić's long-time teammate in Dallas and Los Angeles, Maxi Kleber , is also in talks for a possible move to Rome.
Roma SPQR, often referred to as BC Roma, is aggressively shaping its infrastructure ahead of its debut campaign across the BKT EuroCup and Italy’s LBA UnipolSai, securing major front-office additions with extensive NBA experience. According to a recent report from Italian outlet La Prealpina, management has finalized an agreement with former NBA executive Bryan Colangelo, while also moving toward legendary strategist Mike D’Antoni to join the capital city organization’s Board of Directors. Confirming rumors, the former Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, and Philadelphia 76ers general manager would step into a key advisory role for the ownership group. In this capacity, he is slated to represent the franchise directly at official meetings. The 61-year-old executive currently holds a minority stake in Italian football club Cagliari alongside his longtime associate Edoardo Bulgheroni and carries a decorated pedigree.
Napoli Basketball announces the signing of Markel Brown for the 2026-2027 season. Born in Alexandria, United States, in 1992, Brown is a 192 cm shooting guard and was one of the key players in Napoli’s great Coppa Italia win during the 2023–2024 season.
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Serbia claimed a crucial win in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. On the road in the second game of the August qualifying window, Serbia defeated Italy 76-64 to secure its sixth win and strengthen its position in the race to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
Ira Winderman: In another World Cup qualifying game Friday, Heat forward Simone Fontecchio closed with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting (1 of 4 on 3-pointers) in Italy's 78-75 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fontecchio added six rebounds in his 30:28, with his team done in by the 25 points and 14 rebounds of Jusuf Nurkic.
Simone Fontecchio delivered a game-high 21 points to lead Italy past Estonia in a World Cup Qualifiers warm-up game in Trento. Italy secured an 83-61 victory after outscoring Estonia 27-13 in the third quarter and taking complete control after a closely contested first half.
Marc Stein: I'm told that Aaron Holiday's deal with Maxima Roma contains an NBA out throughout the contract that enables him to come back to the States if an NBA team is prepared to meet buyout conditions. The eight-year veteran guard spent the past three seasons with the Rockets.
Maxima Roma has announced the signing of Aaron Holiday, who arrives from the Houston Rockets. A highly talented, athletic and reliable point guard, Holiday’s main strengths are his three-point shooting, aggressiveness attacking the rim and tenacious defense. A complete and modern player, he brings speed, exceptional scoring ability and proven, steady leadership to the team, making him an invaluable floor general.
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“I am extremely proud to join Maxima Roma and take on my first challenge in European basketball. For me and my family, this represents an important step and an exciting opportunity, as I immediately felt the club’s great confidence in me and the serious ambition behind this project. Having played at the highest level in the NBA motivates me to bring that winning mentality, leadership and intensity here every single day. Competing in both Serie A and the EuroCup provides a challenging stage where we can build something special and fight to win trophies across Europe. Rome is an iconic city with a passionate fan base that deserves basketball at the highest level. I can’t wait to start working with the coaching staff and my new teammates to establish our identity, impose our pace on both ends of the floor and win games,” Aaron Holiday said.
Spearheaded from its inception by former NBA executive Donnie Nelson, Roma SPQR boasts prominent financial and operational backing from current NBA superstar Luka Doncic alongside legendary Italian tactician Valerio Bianchini. To navigate these grueling domestic and continental campaigns, the club has entrusted its sporting department to head coach Alessandro Magro. The franchise previously established its baseline by securing talented playmaker Nico Mannion, together with Gerald Ayayi and Jesse Edwards, as the first-ever signings in club history. This foundation was further reinforced by the marquee hiring of mastermind Sergio Scariolo, who brings immense international pedigree to the front office as a special advisor for basketball strategy.
On the summer leading up to historic 2004-05 season Mike D'Antoni: “It was actually the first time (as an NBA head coach) because even the year that I spent in Denver, it was a strike year (in 1998-99). We didn't start playing until January. So I didn't have a training camp, and I was brand new, actually, in the NBA after spending 20 years before in Italy. Really just kind of got thrown into the water.”
Christos Stavropoulos talked to the Greek basketball federation web radio, and one of the main topics of discussion was, of course, the future of European basketball. The Armani Milan GM admitted that the best solution for the sport in Europe would be a joint effort that will include the EuroLeague and the NBA. As he said: “The fact that there can be another competition, it’s not prohibitive about anything. The point is that qualitatively, for the basketball ecosystem, the best solution is to have a very good, united competition. I believe that we have a responsibility to the fans to have a clear situation. We are confusing the fans, and the responsibility we have is great. I believe that ultimately both managements, both FIBA and the NBA people, understand that the best solution is to have a collaboration.”