Kenny Atkinson, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach and the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, has publicly endorsed the NBA’s proposal to launch a Europe‑based league. Speaking at the conclusion of his team’s training camp in Málaga, Atkinson emphasized that the traditional American development pathway does not nurture young talent as effectively as the club‑centric model used throughout Europe.
Having spent a substantial portion of his playing career on the continent and beginning his coaching journey there, Atkinson is uniquely positioned to compare the two systems. He told Sky Sports, "I love the NBA. I love that we are in talks with FIBA to create this NBA Europe.
It's going to bring more opportunity for players across the globe." His enthusiasm stems from a belief that a transatlantic competition would broaden horizons for aspiring professionals and foster a richer exchange of ideas. When pressed about the specific qualities European prospects bring that the U.S.
system often lacks, Atkinson pointed to structural differences. "The European system is a club system and we just don't work that way," he explained. In Europe, players frequently join youth squads attached to professional clubs, where they train alongside older, more experienced teammates.
For example, French youngsters in the INSEP program compete in the third division of the national league, regularly facing opponents who are physically and mentally more mature. This "mentoring" environment, Atkinson argued, accelerates development by exposing novices to veteran tactics, strength, and game intelligence. By contrast, the American pathway is dominated by high school, AAU, and collegiate programs that tend to keep athletes competing against peers of the same age. "In the American system we're much more playing against your peers and at the same age, and our young players don't compete against more mature players as much.
You learn a lot from veteran players," Atkinson noted. He was careful to acknowledge that both models have merits and that it would be simplistic to declare one superior.
The factual basis of his comments is clear. The INSEP side, entered by the French federation as Pole France, plays in Nationale 1—the third tier of French men’s basketball.
Its roster last season ranged from 15 to 18 years old, and the team is exempt from promotion or relegation, ensuring a stable developmental environment. Atkinson’s own résumé underscores his familiarity with European basketball. He played for clubs such as Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nantes, and Évreux in France, and also had stints in Spain and Germany.
He transitioned to coaching 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 suggests that a Europe‑wide NBA league could act as a bridge between the two developmental philosophies. When asked whether a joint league might bring the two systems closer together, Atkinson responded enthusiastically: "I love that. I think it's going to be better for global basketball, because that cross‑pollination, you're going to see the best of both worlds.
You already see in the coaching world the mix of the European influence on the NBA, right? FIBA influence.
And I think vice versa, the NBA has influenced Europe, so we have that in the coaching community. It'll be great to see it with the players too." He cited a concrete example from his own roster: Khalifa Diop, who played in Spain’s fourth division at age 15, advanced to the ACB by 19, and was drafted 39th overall by Cleveland in 2022. The Cavaliers allowed Diop to remain in Spain for four additional seasons before signing him, illustrating how European club experience can be a valuable stepping stone to the NBA.
The broader context of the NBA‑FIBA collaboration dates back to March 2025, when the two bodies began exploring a pan‑European league. The current blueprint envisions 16 teams—12 permanent franchises and four spots earned through annual qualifiers—debuting in the autumn of 2027. Potential host cities include London and Manchester, with the inaugural regular‑season NBA game in Manchester scheduled for January 17, when the New Orleans Pelicans face the San Antonio Spurs at Co‑op Live. Players have already voiced support.
Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill, who was the final pick (60th) in the 2020 draft, recalled that a European league could have been a viable alternative early in his career. "I had a point in my career where I felt like I was going to end up coming overseas," he said.
"And if that had been the case, something like NBA Europe would have been a great option." Merrill also raised financial considerations, noting the recent shift in U.S. college athletics where universities now pay athletes directly.
With a cap of $21.58 million per school for the 2026‑27 season and men's basketball budgets averaging $4.2 million, the economics of player development are rapidly evolving. He wondered how NBA Europe would intersect with these new revenue streams. Since the NCAA’s policy change in July 2025, several high‑profile prospects have chosen the European route, such as Egor Demin, who left Real Madrid for BYU, and Dame Sarr, who swapped Barcelona for Duke. Whether a dedicated NBA Europe league will alter this flow depends largely on the financial incentives it can offer.
Reports suggest franchise bids range from $500 million to $1 billion, but neither the NBA nor FIBA has disclosed player salary structures. Merrill, who has followed European basketball closely, praised the physicality and intensity of the leagues, comparing them to a college schedule with two games per week, rigorous practice sessions, and a playoff‑like atmosphere for each contest. He argued that the EuroLeague and top domestic competitions are often undervalued in the United States.
The next decisive step lies with European clubs. EuroLeague shareholders are set to convene 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 assembly will weigh an NBA acquisition proposal against the league’s own expansion plan, which envisions 24 teams (21 permanent) by the 2027‑28 season.
CEO Chus Bueno has indicated that no formal offer from the NBA has yet arrived, though Eurohoops later hinted that negotiations are underway. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has reiterated the league’s commitment to moving forward regardless of the EuroLeague’s stance, stating in July, "We began on this path saying that our plan was to go forward regardless of where the EuroLeague stood.
But it was always our hope that we would be able to create some sort of consolidation of European basketball. I remain optimistic that we are going to be able to accomplish that." In summary, Coach Kenny Atkinson’s endorsement of NBA Europe reflects a belief that merging the club‑based European development model with the American collegiate system could produce a more versatile, globally competitive talent pool.
By fostering cross‑continental mentorship, offering new professional pathways, and potentially reshaping financial incentives, the proposed league may redefine how basketball stars are cultivated and showcased worldwide.