Kenny Atkinson, the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, has publicly voiced his enthusiasm for the NBA’s proposal to launch a Europe‑based league. Speaking at the conclusion of the Cavaliers’ training camp in Málaga, Atkinson emphasized that the American basketball system does not nurture young talent in the same way that European clubs do, and he believes the new league could bridge that gap.
Having spent nearly a decade playing professionally across France, Spain, and Germany before transitioning into coaching, Atkinson brings a rare transatlantic perspective to the conversation. He recalled his own experiences in the European club environment, noting that the structure there differs fundamentally from the U.S. model, which relies heavily on high schools, colleges and the G‑League. "I love the NBA," he said, "and I love that we are in talks with FIBA to create NBA Europe.
It will open up more opportunities for players around the world." When asked what attributes European players possess that are less common in the American pipeline, Atkinson pointed to the club‑centric development model. In Europe, young prospects often train and compete alongside seasoned veterans, gaining exposure to higher levels of physicality and tactical nuance at an early age.
He cited the French national institute INSEP, whose under‑18 squad competes in the country’s third‑tier Nationale 1 league. "They might be playing for the under‑16 or under‑17 team, but they also train with older guys. In France, the INSEP team plays in the third division, so they’re regularly matched against more mature opponents. That mentoring system is really important," he explained.
By contrast, Atkinson said, the U.S. system typically pits players against peers of the same age, limiting the amount of experience they gain from seasoned professionals. "You learn a lot from veteran players," he noted, "but our young athletes don’t often face older, more physically developed competition. Both systems have their merits, and it’s hard to claim one is definitively better than the other.
They’re simply two different pathways for player development." The coach’s observations are backed by concrete data. The INSEP side, entered into competition by the French federation as Pole France, competes in Nationale 1 and fields athletes aged 15 to 18.
The team cannot be promoted or relegated, ensuring a stable environment for development. This contrasts sharply with the American collegiate system, where players are limited to four years of eligibility and often leave for professional opportunities before fully maturing.
Atkinson’s own résumé underscores his deep familiarity with European basketball. He played for clubs such as Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nantes, and Évreux in France, and had stints in Spain and Germany. He began his coaching career as an assistant with Paris Basket Racing in 2004 and later served on Vincent Collet’s staff when France captured the Olympic silver medal in Paris. This background gives him credibility when he speaks about the benefits of cross‑continental collaboration.
When probed about the potential for a European league to bring the two development models closer together, Atkinson expressed optimism. "I love that. I think it will be better for global basketball because that cross‑pollination will let us see the best of both worlds," he said.
He highlighted that the coaching community already feels the influence of European tactics and FIBA rules, and that the NBA’s style has similarly seeped into European play. "It will be great to see that exchange happen with the players as well," he added. A tangible example of the European pathway on Atkinson’s own roster is rookie forward Khalifa Diop.
Diop began his senior career in Spain’s fourth division at age 15, made his debut in the top‑flight ACB at 19, and was selected by Cleveland with the 39th overall pick in the 2022 draft. The Cavaliers allowed him to continue developing in Spain for four more seasons before signing him in 2024, a decision that reflects the club’s confidence in the European development model. The broader NBA‑FIBA collaboration has been underway since March 2025, with plans for a 16‑team league that will feature 12 permanent franchises and four annual qualifiers.
Target markets include major European cities such as London and Manchester, with the inaugural season slated for autumn 2027. The first regular‑season NBA game in Manchester is set for January 17, when the New Orleans Pelicans face the San Antonio Spurs at Co‑op Live. Players have already voiced support for the concept.
Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill, a 60th‑overall pick in the 2020 draft who spent two years in the G‑League before joining Cleveland, said that a European league would have been a viable option for him after his collegiate career at Utah State. "I reached a point where I thought I might end up overseas," he recalled.
"If that had happened, NBA Europe would have been a great alternative." Merrill also raised a crucial financial question: how will the new league intersect with the evolving economics of college basketball? Since July 2025, NCAA Division I schools have been permitted to pay athletes directly, with a cap of $21.58 million per institution for the 2026‑27 year.
Men’s basketball programs typically allocate around $4.2 million of that budget, and top‑tier programs can cost $7‑10 million per season, according to Forbes. This shift has already prompted some high‑profile moves, such as Russian star Egor Demin leaving Real Madrid for BYU and French prospect Dame Sarr transferring from Barcelona to Duke. The financial viability of NBA Europe remains uncertain.
Sportico reported that franchise bids are rumored to range from $500 million to $1 billion, yet neither the NBA nor FIBA has disclosed how player salaries will be funded. Merrill speculated that the league could offer an attractive alternative to the college route, especially if it can provide competitive compensation while preserving a high level of competition.
Merrill also praised the style of play in European leagues, describing it as more physical and akin to a college schedule with two games per week and intense practice sessions. "Every game feels almost like a playoff game," he said. "People often underestimate how good the EuroLeague and top domestic leagues are." The next decisive steps will be taken by European clubs. EuroLeague owners are convening at Villa d’Este on Lake Como to discuss the competition’s future alongside the NBA’s overtures.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the meeting will weigh an NBA proposal to acquire the EuroLeague against the league’s own expansion plan, which aims to grow to 24 teams (21 permanent franchises) by the 2027‑28 season. CEO Chus Bueno has indicated that no formal offer from the NBA has been received yet, though Eurohoops later suggested that negotiations are ongoing. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has reiterated that the league will move forward with its European vision regardless of the EuroLeague’s stance.
"We began on this path saying that our plan was to go forward regardless of where the EuroLeague stood," he said in July. "It was always our hope to create some form of consolidation of European basketball, and I remain optimistic that we can achieve that." In summary, Coach Kenny Atkinson’s endorsement of NBA Europe underscores a growing recognition that blending the American and European development models could benefit the global game.
By offering young talent a platform that combines the mentorship and competitive intensity of European clubs with the exposure and resources of the NBA, the proposed league aims to create a more seamless pathway for future stars, while also potentially reshaping the economics of player development on both sides of the Atlantic.