Former NBA player and EuroLeague Players Association Managing Director Bostjan Nachbar has shared his perspective on the proposed NBA Europe project, emphasizing the importance of preserving the identity and culture of European basketball.
Speaking on the Fullcourt Passport podcast with Ric Bucher, Nachbar said that while he understands the appeal of NBA involvement, the essence of European basketball must remain intact. “We cannot lose what makes European basketball European basketball — the history, the passion of the fans, the love for the game,” he said.
Nachbar, who played in both the NBA and EuroLeague, noted that fan culture in Europe is fundamentally different. “Fans follow clubs in European basketball more than anything else. An Olympiacos fan is going to stay an Olympiacos fan for life no matter where players move,” he explained, highlighting the deep-rooted loyalty that defines the sport across the continent.
The discussion came after legendary Serbian coach Zeljko Obradovic expressed strong opposition to the idea of an NBA-backed European league, while Ettore Messina voiced a more open stance. Nachbar took a measured position, acknowledging potential benefits of cooperation but warning against fragmentation.
“Ideally, I would love to see these two strong leagues — NBA and EuroLeague — find a way to cooperate and create something even greater than it is now, not two separate leagues,” Nachbar said. He cautioned that dividing an already fragmented European basketball landscape could “be devastating to European basketball in general.”
The former Slovenia international believes collaboration — rather than competition — is the best path forward. “The ideal scenario is for the two competitions to work hand in hand and find a way to create something bigger than it is now,” Nachbar said, adding that the integration must protect Europe’s traditional clubs and ensure they remain part of any new structure.
His comments come as the NBA continues to explore global expansion models, including a possible European league inspired by the Basketball Africa League. However, Nachbar’s remarks underscore a growing sentiment within European circles that while innovation is welcome, tradition must not be sacrificed.
