At EuroBasket 2025, NBA power figures like Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka, Chauncey Billups, Doc Rivers, Darvin Ham, Jon Horst, Josh Kroenke, Doug Christie, and Vivek Ranadive were spotted courtside supporting European basketball stars.
The FIBA EuroBasket 2025 is showcasing not only some of the best NBA players in the world — such as Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Lauri Markkanen, Alperen Sengun, and others — but also some of the most influential figures from NBA front offices and coaching staffs.
On Game Day 1, NBA executives and coaches were spotted across all four host cities: Riga (Latvia), Katowice (Poland), Tampere (Finland), and Limassol (Cyprus).
Lakers leadership shows up for Luka
The biggest headlines came from Katowice, where Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and governor/team president Jeanie Buss showed up to support their superstar Luka Doncic.
The two first joined Slovenia's practice on Wednesday, posing for a team photo with Luka, and then sat courtside for Slovenia's opening matchup against host Poland.
Doncic delivered a massive performance with 34 points, nine assists, and five steals — but it wasn't enough, as Slovenia fell 105–95.
Both Buss and Pelinka were fully engaged in the action, cheering for Luka and his country.
Buss even wore a Lakers Doncic jersey.
"Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka's visit means a lot to me," Luka said ahead of EuroBasket. "I understand that they were on a very long flight. They really support me, and I'm glad that they came. I really appreciate that."
Chauncey Billups watches Avdija
Katowice also welcomed Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, who watched Israel take on Iceland.
Deni Avdija shone with 20 points and nine rebounds in Israel's 83–71 win, though he left with half a tooth chipped. After the game, Avdija was spotted chatting with Billups.
Strong Bucks delegation arrives for Giannis
In Limassol, the Milwaukee Bucks sent a strong delegation, including general manager Jon Horst, head coach Doc Rivers, and assistant coach Darvin Ham, who all watched Giannis Antetokounmpo lead Greece past Italy.
Giannis finished with 31 points and seven rebounds in a 75–66 victory.
"I love watching the movement and how they play," Rivers told BasketNews. "I always steal plays, I watch it, and I take some of these plays back home and I run them. Yeah, I love all the movement, all the elbow action."
"Giannis does a great job of including his teammates, allowing things to happen and take place. With us, he has to be Superman," Ham added.
Denver front office flies in for three-time NBA MVP
Over in Riga, Denver Nuggets owner and president Josh Kroenke sat courtside for Nikola Jokic's EuroBasket 2025 debut.
The Serbian superstar came close to a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, powering his team past Estonia 98–64.
Earlier, Nuggets executives Ben Tenzer (VP of Basketball Operations) and John Wallace (VP of Player Development) also attended Serbia's practice.
Kings representatives witness Schroder in action
Meanwhile, in Tampere, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and head coach Doug Christie were spotted watching Germany.
The world champions achieved a dominant 106–76 victory over Montenegro on Wednesday. New Kings guard and national team captain Dennis Schroder led the way with 21 points and four assists.
International stage gains attention
When NBA power players show up at EuroBasket, they don't just support their stars — they bring new attention from NBA fans to the international stage.
And for the players themselves, these games are about more than basketball. They're about national pride and passion.
Pijus Sapetka
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