King Davis has chance to conquer European giants

• NBL to host prestigious Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament outside Europe for first time
• European powerhouses Panathinaikos and KK Partizan to face Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers
• Tournament kicks off 18 September at John Cain Arena before moving to Qudos Bank Arena

Sydney Kings' new star-studded backcourt of Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis faces a baptism of fire with the Harbour City club facing Panathinaikos BC AKTOR and KK Partizan and Adelaide 36ers in the historic Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament between September 18 and September 22, 2025 in Melbourne and Sydney.

The National Basketball League secured two of Europe's most prestigious basketball clubs for a landmark tournament.

The Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament will be played outside Europe for the first time, marking a significant milestone for Australian basketball.

The European clubs will first face each other at Melbourne's John Cain Arena on 18 September before joining the NBL teams for a four-team competition at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on 21-22 September.

"This is an extraordinary moment for the NBL and basketball fans in Australia," said NBL Director Nikola Milivojevic.

"To have two of Europe's biggest teams competing in a tournament of this calibre, along with two of the biggest clubs in Australian basketball, is not only a reflection of the NBL's growing global reputation but underlines the increasing level of passion Australians have for the game."

Register your interest in securing tickets

The tournament honours the legacy of Pavlos Giannakopoulos, a legendary figure in European basketball and former Panathinaikos president.

Last year's edition was hosted at the iconic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, with this seventh edition promising an equally electric atmosphere on Australian soil.

Greek and Serbian Connection

For basketball fans with European connections, particularly those with Greek and Serbian heritage, the tournament offers a rare opportunity to see their hometown heroes in Australia.

Panathinaikos AKTOR BC President Vassilis Parthenopoulos said: "This initiative holds cultural importance, allowing us to connect with the Greek diaspora in Australia. Through basketball, we celebrate unity, pride, and the shared values that define Panathinaikos."

The Greek powerhouse has claimed seven European championships, 41 Greek championships, and 21 Greek Cups throughout its storied history, establishing itself as one of the continent's most decorated clubs.

Similarly, KK Partizan has strong Australian connections, having featured several Australian players over the years.

"The connection between BC Partizan and Australian fans is already strong, having Australians like Dante Exum, Alex Maric, Nate Jawai and Jock Landale at BC Partizan squad through the years," said BC Partizan President Ostoja Mijailović.

"We look forward to meeting all Australian basketball fans and showing them what we're all about, and we also look forward to reconnecting with our expatriates and those with Serbian heritage who we hope will come out in strong support."

NBL's Global Ambitions

NBL Owner and Executive Director Larry Kestelman highlighted the significance of the tournament for Australian basketball's international standing: "We're extremely excited to see the Kings and 36ers represent the NBL against two EuroLeague powerhouses. We'd like to sincerely thank Panathinaikos and KK Partizan for their friendship and support, and for trusting the NBL as partners for the seventh edition of their prestigious tournament."

The tournament represents another step in the NBL's growing international profile, following years of development that have seen the league attract increasing global attention. Australian basketball has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, with more Australians succeeding on the international stage and the domestic league raising its standard significantly.

Australian Representatives

The Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers will have the honour of representing Australian basketball against these European giants. Both clubs bring strong credentials to the tournament, with the Kings being three-time NBL champions and the 36ers holding four championship titles in their history.

The inclusion of these NBL teams provides a unique opportunity to showcase Australian basketball talent against some of Europe's elite competition. It will also allow local fans to gauge the relative strength of the NBL against the prestigious EuroLeague, where both Panathinaikos and Partizan regularly compete.

Ticket Information

Basketball fans eager to witness this historic tournament can now pre-register for tickets, with early registrants receiving priority access on Monday May 19, 2025. General tickets will be available from Thursday, May 22, 2025.