German basketball is making the NBA’s deputy commissioner rave. In a press round, he also commented on the topic of NBA Europe.
On January 15, 2026, it’s finally happening: the NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies will take place in Berlin. A match that is also generating great anticipation among the officials of the world’s best basketball league.
“When I have the opportunity, I like to talk about German basketball. They are world champions, they are European champions. They currently dominate basketball on a global and European level,” raved Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum in an international press round.
Mark Tatum holds German basketball in high regard
“Dennis Schröder, the Wagner brothers, Hartenstein – they are a team to be reckoned with, and I simply find it great to watch them. When a regular-season game is held in Berlin for the first time this season, and the Wagner brothers come home, it will be a historic moment,” the official rejoiced.
Besides Franz and Moritz Wagner, the Magic also have a third German in their squad with Tristan da Silva, so the game in Berlin’s Uber Arena should almost feel like a home game for the Magic.
NBA Europe to Launch in Two Years
In addition to his enthusiasm for German basketball, Adam Silver’s deputy also commented on the topic of NBA Europe. The new league is set to launch within the next two years.
“We assume that this league will be a combination of existing clubs and potential new clubs that don’t exist today. Additionally, there may be some football clubs that don’t yet have a basketball team but would like to invest in one. There might also be individuals who want to build a basketball team from scratch,” the official explained.
“We will operate the top league. The plan would be for the FIBA Basketball Champions League to form the second league, and that there will be four open spots when our league is founded, for which teams from all over Europe can qualify annually through a transparent, performance-based process.”
This could happen either “by winning their respective national leagues and then playing in the Basketball Champions League, or by us organizing a large play-in tournament of the national champions.”
NBA Already in Talks
This would then “motivate teams in these leagues to invest in all aspects of their operations, including players, coaches, and infrastructure. Because they know that if they win their national league, they have the chance to move up to the top league.”
And further: “Additionally, it will make it clearer to fans what their team needs to advance and create Cinderella stories.”
Talks with investors are already underway. The NBA is focusing on major cities like London, Paris, and Berlin – potential locations are being examined there.