ALBA sports director addresses EuroLeague expansion, makes Final Four predictions / News - Basketnews.com

Himar Ojeda, ALBA Berlin's sports director, refers to Panathinaikos' rebuild, names his Final Four picks, and touches on former NBA players' adjustment to the EuroLeague level, which he thinks has dropped. He also observes a positive change and a worrisome trend in the EuroLeague's officiating.

Credit: Ryan Sleiman/Sport Press Photo via ZUMA Press Credit Ryan Sleiman/Sport Press Photo via ZUMA Press

In the first part of hisrecent discussion with BasketNews, ALBA Berlin's sports director, Himar Ojeda, explained that while the German club doesn't possess a permanent license yet, they are in the process of obtaining one.

2-pointers this season

51%18,9Points made:18,9Accuracy:50,9%Place in standings:17Record max:26Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Johannes ThiemannTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The Spaniard pointed out that the process could have been completed this past summer, but the inclusion of ASVEL and Bayern Munich caused a delay. Ojeda remains hopeful that an A license could be granted to ALBA soon.

"We have fulfilled our part and expect to obtain the A license this summer," Ojeda says while adding that it's a matter of time for the issue to be settled.

However, with the replacement of the CEO and the departure of Jordi Bertomeu and Marshall Glickmann, the EuroLeague has paused the process and might not be able to complete it by the coming summer.

Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

"There is no deadline," Ojeda said. "We're waiting for the EuroLeague Assembly in June to decide whether they'll allocate another wild card. We are waiting for the league to resume its normal activity to conclude the process. We are calm and patient that the EuroLeague can return to its normal rhythm, now that its management has received a long-term appointment."

Over the past five seasons, the German club and the Spanish executive have grown accustomed to that waiting game. Despite rumors regarding ALBA's allegedly precarious future, they have reasons to believe that no change in their EuroLeague status is to be expected.

According to Ojeda, the sports aspect is important in how the EuroLeague intends to distribute the permanent licenses.

"If we had had the A License this year, we would have had one million euros more to spend on our roster," he laments. "Plus, we wouldn't have lost so many players anyway."

The EuroLeague landscape might become even more complicated when Russian teams are allowed back as there are actually 13 clubs with a permanent EuroLeague license – CSKA Moscow also holds one.

"Paris and London seem to be strategic additions to establish the EuroLeague and basketball in markets of great potential," Ojeda maintains.

"It also requires work and patience, less so in Paris and more so in London where basketball is not as popular."

"If we were to think that in Paris and London, things won't work because people don't like basketball there, that would be like giving up," Ojeda succinctly points out.

"So, what's the way to grow? By having projects that keep losing money every year? We had the experience of Khimki in Russia, that went bankrupt in the middle of the season. We have to build solid organizations, especially in different markets. Do we want to have another team in Belgrade, Athens, or Madrid? Well, that's not realistic," he stresses.

In the second part of his interview with BasketNews, the 51-year-old sports director referred to Panathinaikos' rebuilding process, made his Final Four picks, and touched on former NBA players' adjustment to the EuroLeague level, which he thinks has dropped a little bit this season.

Ojeda also pointed to a change in the EuroLeague's officiating department that he finds quite positive but also highlighted a worrisome trend that has to be taken into serious account.

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