EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas delves into the future of the competition, addresses concerns about Maccabi’s situation, evaluates Partizan’s and Zvezda’s case for long-term licenses, weighs in on Dubai’s potential entry, and discusses other crucial topics. Topics: Motiejunas’ reaction to viral Belgrade video (0:00); US feedback on ESPN deal (2:32); Serbian teams for long-term license (3:08); Major criteria for EuroLeague entry (6:56); Dubai team’s potential entry next season (9:14); Introduct...
Jan 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 49
In the latest episode of BN Talks, current Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and former Denver Nuggets guard Markus Howard ranks the top five most challenging basketball leagues to score. He also shares valuable insights he’s learned from players like Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Facundo Campazzo. Topics: Ranking the NBA among 5 most difficult leagues to score in (0:00) Explaining to the Baskonia coach what makes a good or bad shot (2:30); The Top 3 EuroLeague scorers (4:00); How the NCAA star w...
Feb 14, 2023•14 min•Ep. 48
In the latest episode of BN Talks, Donatas Urbonas is joined by 2-time EuroLeague champion & current FC Barcelona guard Cory Higgins. Cory talks about his relationship with Michael Jordan & why he does not use social media. Topics: The most overlooked EuroLeague players (00:00); Michael Jordan’s message after an iconic shot (2:50); Learning from the worst NBA season ever (4:29); NBA offers that Higgins has passed (5:35); Bringing Michael Jordan to the EuroLeague game (6:20); Higgins’ dad...
Jan 25, 2023•24 min•Ep. 47
In an exclusive interview with BasketNews, EuroLeague CEO Marshall Glickman shared the league’s future plans, and discussed the reasoning behind the ban of Crvena Zvezda and the situation with Facundo Campazzo. Topics: The inbox & WhatsApp chat history after controversial events (00:00); Why Glickman didn’t lift the ban for Crvena Zvezda (4:38); Reaction to the famous Doncic quote (10:52); Keeping Wembanyama in the EuroLeague (14:44); Recovering the relationships with the NBA (19:02); Top ex...
Jan 17, 2023•48 min•Ep. 46
BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas interviews Olympiacos Pireus forward & EuroLeague star Sasha Vezenkov. Donatas & Sasha discuss his incredible ability to score off-ball, his personal & Olympiacos' growth through the last few years and his future regarding the NBA & Sacramento Kings. Topics: When Vezenkov is Aleksandar & when he’s Sasha (00:00); Reaction to 275 points in 26 dribbles (1:16); Top 3 off-ball EuroLeague players (4:17); If not Vezenkov, who’s the EuroLeague MVP (5:00); ...
Jan 12, 2023•19 min•Ep. 45
BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas interviews Fenerbahce Istanbul center Kostas Antetokounmpo. They discuss his unique quality among the Antetokounbros, painful EuroBasket loss, Panathinaikos & Olympiacos rumors, and misconception about Giannis’ favorite Greek team. Topics: Kostas’ unique quality among the Antetokounbros (00:00); Where Kostas is better than Giannis (2:22); Antetokounbros’ reaction to a painful EuroBasket loss (3:13); Is it easier to score for a big man in the NBA or EuroLeague? (5:...
Jan 09, 2023•17 min•Ep. 44
BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas interviews Bayern Munich head coach Andrea Trinchieri. They discusses the changes needed in European basketball, potential format ideas that would benefit all parties, coaching Allen Iverson, overachieving, and why we lost control of Twitter. Topics: Challenging utopia for EuroLeague coaches (00:00); What will ruin the EuroLeague (8:20); The best format for EuroLeague and FIBA (13:20); The misconception about great coaches losing (22:38); How Trinchieri would coach Al...
Dec 29, 2022•51 min•Ep. 43
BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas interviews Real Madrid center Edy Tavares. They discuss Tavares’ NBA comparison, a hypothetical phone call with Facundo Campazzo, Victor Wembanyama, and one game he would show to Cape Verdean kids. Topics: Favorite Tavares football jersey (00:00); The biggest football fan in Real basketball team (00:51); Decisive phone conversation with Facundo Campazzo (2:00); What 7-foot-3 Tavares loves about 7-foot-3 Wembanyama (3:35); Tavares comparison in the NBA (5:31); Why cent...
Dec 17, 2022•11 min•Ep. 42
Panathinaikos Athens star Derrick Williams sits down with Donatas Urbonas to discuss how challenging EuroLeague game is even for the top NBA draft picks, which EuroLeague players could succeed in the NBA, and where he wished to get drafted in the 2011 NBA draft. Topics: How European fans surprised Derrick Williams (00:00); Why top NBA draft picks couldn’t make it in Europe (5:12); Advice for the NBA players coming to Europe (8:13); NBA friends asking about Europe (9:06); How DWill would invite C...
Dec 07, 2022•30 min•Ep. 41
Fenerbahce Istanbul head coach Dimitris Itoudis sits down with Donatas Urbonas for a discussion about FIBA’s problematic schedule, EuroBasket superstars, coaching Giannis and the fresh start with Fenerbahce. Topics: A hilarious press conference that raised a serious question (00:00); Itoudis raising uncomfortable questions to FIBA (3:31); An inspiring moment with Thanassis after a painful loss (11:15); Coaching Giannis Antetokounmpo (17:15); Why Jokic, Doncic or Giannis don’t guarantee a title (...
Nov 24, 2022•38 min•Ep. 40
Barcelona's forward Nikola Kalinic sits down with Donatas Urbonas for an interview about Serbian national team, FIBA windows, new & improved Fenerbahce and struggling Crevena Zvezda. Topics: Anxious Kalinic watching Serbia vs. Turkey (00:00); Two big FIBA format ideas (1:50); New EuroLeague format idea (5:52); EuroBasket 2022 lesson for Serbia (7:07); What Kalinic loves about reshaped Fenerbahce (9:10); Sarunas Jasikevicius & Zeljko Obradovic comparison (10:30); Why Kalinic doesn’t care ...
Nov 17, 2022•18 min•Ep. 39
EuroLeague legend Vassilis Spanoulis sits down with Donatas Urbonas for a quick interview. The new Peristeri Athens coach talks about his ideas for new-school coaching, the potential bridge to the NBA for European coaches and reveals who he would love to have dinner with for some basketball discussions.
Nov 03, 2022•17 min•Ep. 38
BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas talks to the former Golden State Warriors and current Virtus Bologna guard Nico Mannion. Topics: Intro (0:00); NBA & EuroLeague differences (0:08); Dealing with the infection (1:40); How a point guard's status in Europe differs from the NBA (4:39); The lessons from Curry & Teodosic (5:45); The surprising Green & Poole incident (9:27); How Banchero might help the Italian NT make another leap (11:55); The most exciting thing of this season's Virtus (13:55)....
Oct 19, 2022•15 min•Ep. 37
BasketNews’ Uygar Karaca interviews the key players of Galatasaray Nef Istanbul Isaiah Canaan and Melo Trimble. Topics: Watching the EuroLeague Final Four (00:00); How Galatasaray turned their season (04:40); Canaan’s decision to join GS (10:51); What new coach Andreas Pistiolis brought to the team (18:32); Canaan’s different role (23:00); Their inside joke (26:58); Is Micic good enough for the NBA? (30:00); Why they are not intimidated by Efes (35:00); Melo on his NBL experience (39:17)....
May 31, 2022•42 min•Ep. 36
BasketNews’ Uygar Karaca interviews the key players of EuroCup sensation Frutti Extra Bursaspor John Holland and Andrew Andrews. Topics: The upcoming EuroCup final against Virtus (04:27); Andorra game and coming through adversity (09:23); Strange paths collided: How did Andrews and Holland join Bursa (13:20); Andrews’ stepping up after Freeman’s departure (17:32); Last timeout against Partizan, Holland's game-winner, and stopping Punter (21:46); Holland’s 'Pitbull Saga' (24:49); Coach Dusan Alim...
May 11, 2022•31 min•Ep. 35
BasketNews’ Uygar Karaca interviews the head coach of EuroCup sensation Frutti Extra Bursaspor Dusan Alimpijevic. Topics: Introduction (0:00); Last seconds of the Cedevita game (01:39); Team’s improvement during crunch time throughout the season (7:30); Feelings after beating Partizan, coming to a full circle (13:30); Coming through adversity, poor results and positive FIBA windows (21:00); The effect of Allerik Freeman’s departure (25:36); Building the most-efficient offense in EuroCup (28:07);...
May 02, 2022•49 min•Ep. 34
Donatas Urbonas sits down with FC Barcelona guard Dante Exum to share his wild beginnings in the EuroLeague, future in Europe, shining Josh Giddey, and new look Boomers with Ben Simmons. Topics: The trip to Lithuania that changed his fate (00:00); Unusual Lithuanian inspiration (1:55); Unforgettable Ataman’s ejection (02:52); Wild beginnings in Europe (04:17); The biggest change in Europe (6:48); The only regret after the NBA draft (08:40); The decision to go to Europe (09:53) Why Thybulle is go...
Mar 16, 2022•22 min•Ep. 33
Donatas Urbonas sits down with Crvena Zvezda’s star forward Nikola Kalinic to discuss recently winning Serbian Cup, Zeljko Obradovic’s interest in him and what he hopes from Red Star & their fans in the future. Topics: Next big passion of Nikola Kalinic (00:00); Partizan’s mistake that made Red Star hungry (6:32) Which Red Star is better: 2015 or 2022? (10:43) Why Kalinic refused Zeljko’s interest (14:07); First terrible contract (19:18); Why teammates respect Kalinic (21:32); Post-career de...
Mar 09, 2022•45 min•Ep. 32
Donatas Urbonas interviews legendary coach Svetislav Pesic, who's now taking on the challenge to lead the Serbian NT to gold after more than 20 years. Topics: Coaching the unlikely champions (0:00); What Zeljko & Partizan need to reach their goals (2:56); Why Madrid is in trouble & Barca might win it all (7:29); How Jokic & Doncic changed the NBA (12:42).
Mar 04, 2022•18 min•Ep. 31
Donatas Urbonas sits down with UNICS point guard Isaiah Canaan. Isaiah addresses the infamous 'Shush' to Barcelona fans & shares thoughts on his roughest periods in life. Topics: Isaiah Canaan addresses the infamous ‘Shush’ (00:00); Surviving Hurricane Katrina in a trailer (6:36); Freaky NBA injury that made his teammates cry (15:27); The most irritating thing you hear as the NBA role player? (20:26); Why Canaan feels lucky to start his overseas career in UNICS (25:16); Surviving Velimir Per...
Feb 09, 2022•42 min•Ep. 30
BasketNews' Uygar Karaca is joined by UNICS Kazan forward John Brown III to talk about his unique style of play, the love for flare screens & mid-range game, and UNICS team chemistry. Topics: Intro (00:00); “Zero gravity” John Brown (1:30); Making strange sounds after plays (2:30); Transitioning from offensive to defensive mindset (4:00); Concern for early foul troubles (6:40); Challenges coming from EuroCup ( 8:00); UNICS team is full of funny guys (9:50); This season's game he hates the mo...
Feb 04, 2022•25 min•Ep. 29
BasketNews' Uygar Karaca is joined by ALBA Berlin and German national team guard Maodo Lo to talk about his NBA aspirations, the decision to stay in the hometown team, and favorite memories with Dirk Nowitzki at EuroBasket 2015. Topics: Intro (00:00); Why Maodo Lo was called "The Chairman" in college (2:14); His NBA aspirations (3:04); On the gap between players in Europe and NBA (5:44); Remembering Bamberg days (6:55); Choosing to stay in ALBA (11:10); Development as an offensive leader (14:40)...
Feb 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 28
BasketNews' Uygar Karaca is joined by Utah Jazz assistant coach Erdem Can who shares his thought on the rising Turkish youngsters in the NBA & how Rudy Gobert impacts the Jazz's game. Topics: Life in Salt Lake City and the beginnings of his NBA life (00:00); Utah’s recent slump after a good start and Gobert’s impact on the game (04:30); The Jazz’s overwhelming 3-point tendency (8:19); The defensive transformation of Utah (11:30); The comparison of reaction to losing series NBA vs Europe (15:...
Jan 18, 2022•39 min•Ep. 27
A new BasketNews’ podcast series featuring the voices and faces of our channel. The Whos of Basketnews debuts with perhaps the loudest voice on our platform - AndOne host Martyna Motum! Topics: Intro (0:00); The first Zalgiris TV host (3:30); First interview back with Mike James (6:12); Ranking all EuroLeague work trips so far (9:58); AndOne’s best & most surprising guests (12:57); New challenges that excite (15:09); Women in sports broadcasting (18:42); A game of 'Would You Rather' (22:22)....
Jan 08, 2022•27 min•Ep. 26
BasketNews' Jonas Miklovas sat down with CSKA Moscow head coach Dimitrios Itoudis to talk about the current state of the Russian club, Euroleague format change, and coaching the Greek National team. Topics: CSKA's injury bug (0:00); The need to change the EuroLeague format (8:00); About coaches not being heard enough by EuroLeague (15:50); About coaching the Greek National team and Giannis Antetokounmpo (25:05); Possibility of working in the NBA (33:28)....
Dec 22, 2021•39 min•Ep. 25
Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Jure Zdovc sits with BasketNews’ Jonas Miklovas to discuss his difficult start in Lithuania, personal decision not to take assistant coaches with him, and an unheard story of the beginning of Zeljko Obradovic’s coaching career. Topics: Two different months in Kaunas (0:00); Feeling ashamed to walk in the streets (3:48); No traveling 'circus' with coach (6:18); How Zeljko Obradovic became the head coach of Partizan (8:43); Confrontation with fans (11:16)....
Dec 10, 2021•31 min•Ep. 24
Zvezdan Mitrovic sits down with BasketNews' Uygar Karaca to discuss his work with the French clubs ASVEL & Monaco and explains why he gets along well with EuroLeague coaches. Topics: Coaching beginnings (00:00); Mitrovic's particular attraction to new project (06:00); Challenges with new players and Monaco (9:10); Monaco's goals for near future (14:05); Mitrovic's basketball style (16:15); Zvezdan's important weapon (17:55); Mitrovic: A player's coach?(20:20); Referees and technical fouls(22...
Dec 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 23
AX Armani Exchange star Shavon Shields talks to BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas about his success in Milan, the missing piece for the EuroLeague title, life inspirations, and two crucial plays he had to go through last season. Topics: Intro about his childhood haircut (00:00); A headband away from being Paul Pierce (00:35); Kyle Hines in Danish NT (2:21); Messina’s pitch, success in Milan (4:00); Getting through painful Final 4 experience (7:11); The missing piece for the EuroLeague title (9:05); NB...
Oct 27, 2021•14 min•Ep. 22
AX Armani Exchange Milan newcomer Giampaolo Ricci talks to BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas about his unexpected journey to the EuroLeague from the lower Italian divisions, making Milos Teodosic smile as a captain, shocking the Italian basketball world with his summer decision and dreaming about the next crazy scenarios. Topics: Intro about maths in basketball (00:00); The unexpected story from the 3rd division to the EuroLeague (5:33); Handling haters, advice for underrated players (10:23); The coac...
Oct 15, 2021•37 min•Ep. 21
AS Monaco big man Will Thomas sat with BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas to talk about the secret of his longevity, the strategy that usually never works to stop him, his surprising EuroLeague move, and what he calls his second home. Topics: Intro (00:00); Mike Krzyzewski words on a podcast that proved Will Thomas was doing the right thing (2:05); A great story of such players like Will Thomas and Krunoslav Simon (6:20); The weirdest adjustments in Europe and getting a Georgian passport (8:19); The sa...
Oct 05, 2021•28 min•Ep. 20
