The NBA returns to Europe to begin a three-year calendar of matches, awaiting the debut of the new and eagerly awaited NBA Europe in 2027. Next year it returns to Paris, the traditional home of matches in Europe for several years, and to Manchester, then in 2028 again to the French capital and to Berlin where this evening the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies will play a game regular season and will do an encore in London next Sunday, at 6pm at the O2 Arena. These are not friendlies or isolated promotional events, but matches which, for years, have played a role in the race for the playoffs, a choice which certifies the strategic importance of the European market for the most popular professional league in the world.
The collateral events demonstrate this: clinics with fans, meetings with NBA legends such as Dwight Howard and Jason Williams in Berlin, Isiah Thomas in London, and an organization designed down to the smallest detail to certify the functionality of the NBA model even outside the American borders. Furthermore, as in Paris, NBA House will be a place dedicated to all fans and which will remain open in the two cities from early morning until late evening.
The German brothers Moritz and Franz Wagner also play in the Orlando team. “It’s one of the most exciting experiences of my career. We grew up in this very hall, the Max Schmeling Halle, home of Alba Berlin. It has a special value for us”, said Moritz. All eyes also on Paolo Bancherolong linked to the Italian national team, and on Ja Morant, at the center of transfer speculation but present in Berlin after training with the Grizzlies.
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