{"id":548458,"date":"2026-10-08T13:50:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T11:50:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/?p=548458"},"modified":"2026-10-08T13:51:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T11:51:17","slug":"euroleague-star-tornike-shengelia-joins-ball-inn-to-help-build-the-future-of-amateur-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/euroleague-star-tornike-shengelia-joins-ball-inn-to-help-build-the-future-of-amateur-basketball\/","title":{"rendered":"EuroLeague Star Tornike Shengelia Joins Ball inn to Help Build the Future of Amateur Basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ball inn, a Barcelona-based basketball and entertainment company focused on building the future infrastructure for amateur basketball, today announced that Tornike “Toko” Shengelia<\/strong> has joined the company as a strategic investor and brand ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A EuroLeague star, President of the EuroLeague Players Association, captain of the Georgian national team and one of Europe’s most respected basketball figures, Shengelia will support Ball inn with his basketball expertise, network and strategic guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shengelia is not joining as a symbolic ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I didn’t want to be just an ambassador who promotes something,” said Shengelia. “I wanted to be involved in the decision making on the basketball side. With my experience, knowledge and network in this sport, I believe my opinions can help Ball inn grow as far and as fast as possible.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shengelia was drawn to Ball inn’s vision of creating more opportunities for amateur players to participate in basketball beyond the traditional club system, while strengthening the connection between the game and the culture surrounding it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building the Missing Infrastructure for Amateur Basketball<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While professional basketball in Europe has never been stronger, opportunities for amateur players to play regularly, compete and connect remain fragmented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ball inn was founded to change that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company has grown from grassroots streetball events into one of Barcelona’s most active basketball communities, bringing together more than 8,000 players, fans and creators<\/strong> around the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2023, Ball inn has organised more than 15 events, attracting thousands of participants and spectators while partnering with brands including Nike, Converse, Monster Energy, AND1 and EuroLeague<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its flagship 1V1 Kings<\/strong> competitions helped popularise one of basketball’s fastest-growing formats in Spain, providing a platform for players, creators and emerging basketball talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the competition itself, Ball inn became known for blending basketball with music, fashion, art, dance and content creation, showcasing the cultural side of the game in a way rarely seen in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of that cultural vision comes from co-founder Daniel “Katari” Bermudez<\/strong>, Ball inn’s Head of Culture and Entertainment. Originally from Bogot\u00e1 and now based in Barcelona, Katari is a DJ, rapper, painter and streetball enthusiast who helps shape the culture and identity behind Ball inn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Basketball has always been bigger than the game itself,” said Bermudez. “The music, the art, the fashion, the people you meet along the way. At Ball inn we want to celebrate all of it, because that’s what makes basketball culture so unique.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to founder and CEO Michiel Puelinckx<\/strong>, those experiences revealed a much bigger opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The whole reason we started Ball inn was to create better opportunities for amateur basketball players to compete and connect,” said Puelinckx. “If you don’t want to commit to playing in a club, it can be surprisingly difficult to find quality games, consistent competition and people to play with. Players don’t lose interest in basketball. In many cases, it simply becomes too difficult to play regularly. We want to change that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Sport on the Rise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The announcement comes at a time when basketball continues to experience significant growth across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European players now rank among the NBA’s biggest stars, EuroLeague attendance continues to break records, and 3×3 basketball has become one of the fastest-growing urban sports globally. Meanwhile, the NBA has openly expressed ambitions to expand further into Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Shengelia, the timing could not be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Europe has some of the best coaches, players and clubs in the world, so on the professional side it’s hard to say anything is missing,” he said. “But there is still a gap on the cultural side. In cities like Barcelona, I would love to see more places where people can play, compete, connect and feel part of the community.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Next Chapter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To address that opportunity, Ball inn is expanding beyond events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the coming months, the company will begin testing a digital platform designed to connect players, organisers and courts, making it easier for basketball enthusiasts to find games, organise competitions and become part of their local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the centre of that vision is Ball inn’s Homecourt<\/strong>, a first-of-its-kind destination designed to redefine what a basketball venue can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than a sports facility, Ball inn’s Homecourt combines basketball, fitness, entertainment and culture into a single experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Envisioned as the ultimate home for hoopers, creators and artists, it will bring together courts, training, events, content creation and community under one roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ball inn believes the future of basketball is not just about where people play, but where they connect, create and experience the culture surrounding the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed as a dream venue for hoopers, creators and artists alike, Ball inn’s Homecourt aims to become Europe’s home for basketball culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further details about Ball inn’s Homecourt will be announced at a later stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ball inn believes the future of basketball is not only about elite athletes and professional clubs. It is about creating better opportunities for millions of people to play, compete, connect and express themselves through the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the backing of Tornike Shengelia, the company is now entering its next phase of growth, expanding its community, developing its digital platform and bringing Ball inn’s Homecourt to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investors, strategic partners, brands and organisations who share this vision and want to help shape the future of basketball culture in Europe are invited to start a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more at www.ballinn.eu\/whatsnext<\/a> or contact mike@ballinn.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Ball inn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ball inn is a basketball and entertainment company based in Barcelona. Through events, competitions, community experiences and collaborations with leading global brands, it brings together players, creators and fans to celebrate the game on and off the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is building the physical and digital infrastructure for amateur basketball in Europe, including Ball inn’s Homecourt, its flagship sportainment destination that combines basketball, fitness, entertainment and culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After building one of Barcelona’s most active basketball communities, Ball inn is preparing its next chapter with the backing of Tornike Shengelia and a vision to redefine how amateur basketball is played, experienced and connected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":485833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_spbk_hide_featured":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[199],"tags":[],"rumors":[],"typology":[15727],"posizionamento":[],"class_list":["post-548458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-euroleague","typology-press-release-en"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/02\/Toko.jpeg","digistream_id":0,"digistream":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/145"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=548458"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":548460,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548458\/revisions\/548460"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/485833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=548458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=548458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=548458"},{"taxonomy":"rumors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rumors?post=548458"},{"taxonomy":"typology","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/typology?post=548458"},{"taxonomy":"posizionamento","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posizionamento?post=548458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}