Rome, Bianchini: “The coach? He comes from the NBA and has already been named Coach of the Year”

Italy’s capital is preparing to enter a new era for basketball. The return of Rome to the highest level, with two teams competing in Serie A after years away, represents a crucial step toward reviving a movement that, according to Valerio Bianchini, has never lost its support.

The Roma SPQR senior advisor, speaking on Rai Radio 1, highlighted how the passion of Roman fans has remained strong even away from the biggest stages: “After six years without top-level basketball, having two teams in Serie A is certainly a challenge, but also a great opportunity. In Rome, the passion for this sport has never disappeared; it has remained like an underground river.”

Among the topics discussed was also the potential arrival of NBA Europe, a project that could directly involve the city. For Bianchini, it would represent an important opportunity to give further visibility to Italian basketball: “The fact that the NBA is focusing on Rome means bringing the prestige of the most important basketball organization in the world into our game. It is a development that has already helped trigger important changes, including the path toward reforming Italian basketball.”

Regarding the new chapter of Roma SPQR, the executive confirmed that the club is working on the choice of its next head coach, revealing only some details about the profile being considered: “We respect the work the club is carrying out. Soon there will be a press conference with all the announcements.” The name will only be revealed through the official announcement: “He is a highly respected American coach, coming from the NBA and already named Coach of the Year.”

Bianchini concluded by looking ahead to the future of European basketball, reiterating his confidence in the timeline for the launch of NBA Europe and in the possibility of cooperation with the EuroLeague: “Adam Silver continues to point to 2027 as the starting date for NBA Europe, and I believe the timeline will be respected. The goal will be to find an integration with the EuroLeague to further strengthen European basketball, which today already produces many of the best players in the world

Source: Il Tempo