Two basketball clubs in Rome have relocated to the Italian capital to compete in Serie A and position themselves for potential inclusion in the projected NBA Europa project, which targets 2027.
American Capital and the Rome Basketball Renaissance
Emulating the founding legend of Rome with Romulus and Remus, the city suddenly features two rival basketball teams entering the Serie A championship.
On one side is BC Roma, owned by former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson and NBA star Luka Doncic, who purchased a club from Cremona and relocated it to Rome. On the other is Maxima Roma, formerly based in Brescia, which moved to the capital under American owner Paul Matiasic.
Targeting the 2027 NBA Europa Horizon
The sudden influx of American capital into Rome’s basketball scene centers on the NBA’s plans to launch a closed-league tournament in Europe by 2027.
Reports indicate the league has evaluated 12 European cities for the project, including Paris, Lyon, London, Manchester, Berlin, Munich, Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, and Rome as the sole Italian representative.
Despite speculation linking both organizations to the future European competition, club directors have remained cautious regarding the project.
Paul Matiasic stated to AFP that their project is not conceived for any specific championship, aiming instead to elevate the level of basketball in Rome. Donnie Nelson echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the goal of playing the best basketball possible regardless of the league.
Star-Studded Rosters and Front Office Muscle
To prepare for high-level competition and position themselves for potential European expansion, both clubs assembled experienced rosters and coaching staffs.
BC Roma appointed Alessandro Magro as head coach, supported by strategic advisor Sergio Scariolo—who led Spain to the 2019 World Cup title and four European gold medals—alongside NBA figures Chris Mullin and Bryan Colangelo. On the floor, the squad features Italian international Nicco Mannion, acquired from defending champions Olimpia Milán, alongside American players with NBA experience.
Maxima Roma recruited American guard Aaron Holiday, who brings 448 games of NBA experience to the roster. Owner Paul Matiasic also appointed football legend Francesco Totti as a special advisor. Totti acknowledged he has not closely followed basketball historically, but Matiasic defended the appointment by noting the former player’s deep connection to the city.
Venues, Eurocup Play, and a Historic Derby
Both teams will compete in the Eurocup, Europe’s second-tier continental club competition. BC Roma will play its home matches at the PalaTiziano, an arena near the city center, while Maxima Roma has chosen the larger PalaEUR, built for the 1960 Olympic Games with a capacity to receive 11,000 spectators.
Basketball journalist Fabrizio Fabbri noted that the relocation sets up a top-flight capital city derby on October 11, marking the first time such a matchup will occur in Italy’s elite division since 1978, following the 2020 bankruptcy of Virtus.
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