FIBA Europe Executive Director Kamil Novak admitted that NBA stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic refusing to speak to the media during EuroBasket 2025 is a problem FIBA is trying to address. Novak also noted that national federations could face sanctions for failing to cooperate.
Once again, EuroBasket 2025 drew many NBA stars, including Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, and others.
However, just like in 2022, some of the biggest stars deliberately refused to speak to the media — whether before the game, after the game, or during press conferences.
This year, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo haven't spent a single second with the media so far. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic attended a pre-tournament press conference and often spoke with the Slovenian media after the games.
Whilst Jokic's Serbia has already been eliminated, Giannis will have another chance to speak to the media after Greece's third-place game on Sunday.
FIBA Executive Director Kamil Novak admitted that it's a problem FIBA is trying to deal with.
"I think I know what you have in your mind. This is something we saw in Lille, the tendency of it, three years ago," Novak noted. "Obviously, it has a lot to do with social media, with the growing activities and also possibilities for the players."
Credit FIBA Media
Novak also confirmed that the national teams could be sanctioned if the players continue to skip their media duties, which are mandatory after the games.
"We did address it, we saw it from the very beginning. I'm not very happy now to say, but obviously, at some point, there is a sanctioning system, which we are not big fans of, but this is, at the end, the language that people understand.
"We would wish—especially our colleagues from the communication department—that this is not necessary. The players have to understand that EuroBasket is not only for them to shine and get the stage, but they are also role models. This is why the tickets, maybe the ticket price is high, but then also the young kids, boys and girls, come here to watch the stars, and this is motivation for them," Novak concluded.
Edvinas Jablonskis
Edvinas Jablonskis began his basketball coverage career in 2017. Starting as a Daily Writer for BasketNews.lt, he steadily climbed the ranks and became a Daily Editor for BasketNews.com in 2021, a position he continues to hold. Over the years, Jablonskis has covered multiple EuroLeague Final Fours and international tournaments, including the FIBA EuroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup, and FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
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