Gilbert Arenas criticized the standard of the EuroLeague during a recent broadcast of his online show, claiming that American players unable to secure roster spots in the NBA can move to Europe and immediately become the competition’s standout performers. Speaking on the October 2 episode of Gil’s Arena, the former NBA All-Star responded to recent remarks made by Nikola Jokic regarding international basketball.
Gilbert Arenas Targets EuroLeague Talent Level
The debate originated from Nikola Jokic, who recently stated that European basketball and international national teams place a higher priority on collective team success than on individual statistics. The Serbian star suggested that NBA players could benefit from experiencing European competition to understand a different type of pressure on the court.
During the October 2 broadcast on Underdog Fantasy, Arenas appeared alongside DeMarcus Cousins and Nick Young. Addressing Jokic’s comments, Arenas rejected the notion that the NBA needs to learn from European styles before turning his criticism toward the EuroLeague itself.
If we’re talking about the EuroLeague, I would say we don’t need to go play in the EuroLeague,
Arenas said on the program. Our trash, the guys who can’t make our rosters, go over there and become the best players in the league.
Arenas asserted that American players were the best elements of the European championships.
Sasha Vezenkov and Olympiakos Challenge the Claim
To support his argument, Arenas questioned the identity of the most recent EuroLeague champion, asserting that the title-winning team likely featured an American player as its leading scorer. However, his example did not align with the recent record of the competition.
Sasha Vezenkov finished as the leading scorer of the EuroLeague for the 2025–2026 season while starring for Olympiakos, the European champions. The Bulgarian stood atop the league’s scoring charts, directly contradicting the description of an American player discarded by the NBA.
Olympiakos secured the 2025–2026 EuroLeague title by defeating Real Madrid 92–85 in the final held in Athens. The club’s leading scorer in the championship game was Evan Fournier, who contributed 20 points and earned Final Four MVP honors following the fourth European title for Olympiakos. Alec Peters added 16 points in the final, while Vezenkov chipped in 12.
DeMarcus Cousins Backs NBA Superiority
DeMarcus Cousins echoed Arenas on the panel, defending the overall standard of American basketball and pointing to the success of Team USA in international tournaments. The discussion quickly shifted from Jokic’s initial points about tactical approaches and competitive environments into a wider argument regarding the sporting hierarchy between the NBA and European club leagues.
Player movement between the NBA and the EuroLeague remains common in both directions. While several athletes who played secondary roles in the NBA have carved out major careers overseas, many of the premier players currently in the NBA are from European basketball, starting with Nikola Jokic.
