LONDON LIONS TO GO EUROCUP
London Lions will enter the EuroCup next season.
Organiders officially confirmed the move in Friday with the British Basketball League outfit switching from the FIBA-organised Basketball Champions League to the EuroLeague-organised competition.
It represents a mammoth step up in both competitive toughness and in required budget for Lions, whose owners 777 have previously indicated their wish to earn a berth in the EuroLeague.
London – yet to appoint a head coach or confirm any signings for next term – will enter as the lowest-status club, by far.
But General Manager Brett Burman said: “This is a great opportunity, not just for the Club, but for London basketball as a whole. Being able to compete on this stage, one of the highest in the basketball world, is an honour and an opportunity that we have been waiting for. We are committed to bringing the highest level of competition to this city and showing the basketball world what we, the London Lions, are about. There are big things in store with the Club; our staff, ownership, and myself are ready to showcase this to London and UK hoops as a whole.
“We have unfinished business, and that starts with winning trophies and championships. 7DAYS EuroCup brings on an exciting slate of regular season matches from October through March, and it is up to us to navigate those waters in order to be prepared to compete at the highest level throughout both our domestic (BBL) and international leagues.”
The other teams are: Buducnost Voli, Podgorica, Cedevita Olimpija, Trento, Bursaspor, Gran Canaria, Hamburg, Hapoel Tel Aviv, JL Bourg, Badalona, Lietkabelis, Brescia, Paris Basketball, Prometey, Promitheas, Ulm, Slask Wroclaw, Turk Telekom U-BT, Cluj-Napoca, Reyer Venezia.
Lions women are also planning to enter the FIBA-backed EuroCup Women.
Leicester Riders will return to the Basketball Champions League, Hoopsix reported.
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