The world loves basketball. Surely, USA is not the only nation with a basketball league. With all of this in mind, let’s have a look at the top 5 basketball leagues in the world (excep NBA).
EuroLeague
The EuroLeague is the basketball version of soccer’s Champions League, with the top European clubs qualifying each year. The teams play EuroLeague games during the week and in their own countries’ leagues on the weekends.
The EuroCup, run by the EuroLeague, is the second-level transnational league in Europe. Qualifying for the competition is based on a team’s success in its domestic league, other competitions and by invitation from the EuroLeague.
Success in the EuroCup allows a team to move up the EuroLeague the following season.
Teams in the league are champions in their domestic league or other competition, so it’s no doubt that it’s one of the best.
EuroLeague features players from across the world, including stars like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Also read: Giannis Antetokounmpo all set to play for his country at EuroBasket 2022.
Liga ACB
This Spanish Basketball League is one of the best in Europe. Even though the league has been affected a bit by some financial issues arising from the country’s economy in recent times, one can’t deny that it remains one of the best anywhere in the world.
In the Euro League, FIBA’s Champions League, and EuroCup, the Spain Liga ACB has five, four, and three teams. It shows the quality available of the competition.
The Liga ACB attendance is one of the highest globally, which undoubtedly means it has a large fanbase.
FIBA’s Basketball Champions League
The Basketball Champions League is a professional basketball league. The International Basketball Federation organizes it. Teams that qualify for the competition must have performed well in their domestic leagues and cups.
The league features talented professional players and dedicated fans, and the winner qualifies to play in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup (also known as FIBA World Cup for Champions Club).
Also read: Top 5 tallest players in NBA history
VTB United League
Russia’s VTB United League is the top-level domestic league in Russia. It unites teams from Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan (hence the “United” in the name).
This league has been one of the best in Europe for a long time, and CSKA Moscow, the giant there, having won every Championship except one, is recognized as one of the top basketball teams in the world.
Although Russia’s weather seems to be a problem during the basketball season, the league is able to attract top talents from other European countries. And in terms of salaries, they fare well compared to their European counterparts.
Thirteen teams take part in the League anually.
Turkey’s Basketball Super League
The BSL was founded in 1966, although basketball was first played in the country in 1904. Tremendous financial resources are being poured into the league, and because of that, it may soon overtake the ACB in quality of play.
Istanbul’s Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce are two of the best teams in Europe at the moment.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt, who had tremendous success in Europe before leaving for the NBA, is currently coaching Darussafaka S.K. in the BSL and the EuroLeague.
It is believed he’s collecting $3.3 million owed to him by the Cavs on the final year of his contract in addition to the two-year deal he signed with the Turkish club.
The League features 16 teams out of which the bottom 2 are relegated to the lower-tier division.
Also read: Top 5 players with the most NBA Finals MVP Awards.
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