Only 13 Players Have Won Both The NBA And EuroLeague Championships

EuroLeague: 1966 (Olimpia Milano)

NBA: 1970, 1973 (New York Knicks)

Bill Bradley's basketball career was marked by success on both sides of the Atlantic. While pursuing his studies in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) at Oxford, he traveled to Italy to play professional basketball for Olimpia Milano (then known as Simmenthal) during the 1965–66 season. His tenure coincided with the team's victory in the European Champions Cup, the predecessor to the modern EuroLeague, and would remain with the team until 1967 until his first season in the NBA (1968). 

Two years later, Bradley excelled as a key member of the New York Knicks, winning championships in 1970 and 1973. Bradley was a key member in 1970, posting 14.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 1970, and made the All-Star Team in 1973 by averaging 16.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. 

Larry Wight

NBA: 1978 (Washington Bullets)

EuroLeague: 1983 (Banco di Roma)

Wright was selected with the No. 14 overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets. He played a significant role as a substitute on the Bullets' successful teams of the late 1970s, winning an NBA title in 1978 (9.2 PPG, 3.7 APG during the season) and reaching the Finals the following year.

A few seasons later, Wright became a major performer and star in Italy. He led Banco di Roma to a first-place finish in the regular season. He guided them to the Italian championship finals series against Olimpia Milano, defeating European champions Ford Cantu in the semi-finals. Banco di Roma won the series 2-1, capturing their first-ever Italian championship.

Bob McAdoo

NBA: 1982, 1985 (Los Angeles Lakers)

EuroLeague: 1987, 1988 (Olimpia Milan)

In the NBA, McAdoo was a key contributor to the Los Angeles Lakers' championships in 1982 and 1985. Known for his scoring ability and versatility as a big man, McAdoo's impact on the Lakers' success during the early 1980s was significant as he was in his 30s and not the same star that won three scoring titles and an MVP award in the 1970s.

Bob McAdoo is another standout player who achieved success in both the EuroLeague and the NBA. After his final season in the NBA (1986 with the Philadelphia 76ers, McAdoo immediately won the EuroLeague championships consecutively in 1987 (21.8 PPG) and 1988 (29.1 PPG) with Olimpia Milan, demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level in European basketball.

McAdoo's dual championships in both the EuroLeague and NBA highlight his exceptional talent and adaptability across different basketball leagues and styles. His achievements underscore his status as one of the few players to have conquered both the European and American basketball landscapes, making him a noteworthy figure in basketball history.

Jim Brewer

NBA: 1982 (Los Angeles Lakers)

EuroLeague: 1983 (Banco di Roma)

Jim Brewer had an exciting and successful two years in his professional career in 1982 and 1983. In the NBA, Brewer was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers team that won the championship in 1982. His contributions to the Lakers' success during that season were not particularly important as he posted 2.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in the regular season and only averaged 7.1 minutes per game in the playoffs.

The following year, Brewer won the EuroLeague championship in 1983 with Banco di Roma, highlighting his ability to compete and excel in European basketball. Brewer's dual championships in the EuroLeague and NBA illustrate his basketball skill and adaptability, making him part of a select group of players who have achieved success at the highest levels in both European and American basketball.

Zan Tabak

EuroLeague: 1989, 1990, 1991 (Jugoplastika Split)

NBA: 1995 (Houston Rockets)

Zan Tabak is a notable player who achieved success in both the EuroLeague and the NBA. Tabak won the EuroLeague championships consecutively from 1989 to 1991 with Jugoplastika Split, showcasing his role in European basketball during that era He would remain with the Croatian team until 1992 and then joined Baker Livorno in 1993 and Recoaro Milano (1994) in Italy. 

In his first season in the NBA, Tabak was a member of the Houston Rockets team that won the championship in 1995. His contributions to the Rockets, though limited to 37 games in the regular season and only eight in the playoffs, provided him with the opportunity to add an NBA championship to his impressive resume.

Rasho Nesterovic

EuroLeague: 1998 (Virtus Bologna)

NBA: 2005 (San Antonio Spurs)

Rasho Nesterovic is another player who has tasted success in both the EuroLeague and the NBA, demonstrating his skill and adaptability across different basketball leagues. Nesterovic won the EuroLeague championship in 1998 with Virtus Bologna, showcasing his abilities on the European stage. The big man stayed with Virtus Bologna until 1999 before his first season in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Joining the Spurs in 2003, Nesterovic eventually became a key contributor to the San Antonio Spurs' championship run in 2005. His role as a solid center for the Spurs helped them achieve success during that season despite lacking the natural skills to be an impact scorer and rebounder. Nesterovic averaged 5.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in the regular season but only averaged 7.6 minutes per game in the playoffs.

Toni Kukoc

EuroLeague: 1989, 1990, 1991 (Jugoplastika Split)

NBA: 1996, 1997, 1998 (Chicago Bulls)

Toni Kukoc is a legendary player who achieved tremendous success in both the EuroLeague and the NBA, solidifying his status as one of the greatest European players of all time. Kukoc won the EuroLeague championships consecutively from 1989 to 1991 with Jugoplastika Split, and that raised his stock as he became a star in Italy until 1994 before his first season in the league. Amazingly, Kukoc was named EuroLeague Final Four MVP in 1990 and 1991. 

In the NBA, Kukoc was a key member of the Chicago Bulls teams that won three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998. His versatility as a forward and playmaker made him a valuable asset alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Kukoc ended up becoming a Hall of Famer, averaging 11.6 points per game over his illustrious career.

Manu Ginobili

EuroLeague: 2001 (Virtus Bologna)

NBA: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 (San Antonio Spurs)

Manu Ginobili is a basketball legend who achieved remarkable success in both the EuroLeague and the NBA, solidifying his status as one of the greatest international players of all time. Ginobili won the EuroLeague championship in 2001 with Virtus Bologna, averaging 15.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in the season.

In the NBA, Ginobili was a key member of the San Antonio Spurs teams that won championships in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. His contributions as a versatile guard and sixth man (career 13.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.8 APF) were crucial to the Spurs' success during their championship runs. Ginobili's legacy extends beyond his championships, as he was also a two-time NBA All-Star and an Olympic gold medalist with Argentina in 2004.

Josh Powell

NBA: 2009, 2010 (Los Angeles Lakers)

EuroLeague: 2013 (Olympiacos)

In the NBA, Powell was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers teams that won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. His contributions as a reserve forward provided depth and support to the Lakers' championship efforts during those seasons even if he only posted under 2.5 PPG per season. 

After a season with the Atlanta Hawks and trying his luck in China, Switzerland, and Puerto Rico, backup big man Powell won the EuroLeague championship in 2013 with Olympiacos, demonstrating his abilities on the European stage as he averaged 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game during the campaign.

Ognjen Kuzmic

NBA: 2015 (Golden State Warriors)

EuroLeague: 2018 (Real Madrid)

In the NBA, Ognjen Kuzmic was a member of the Golden State Warriors team that won the championship in 2015. His contributions to the Warriors, though limited (1.3 PPG in 16 appearances), provided him with the opportunity to add an NBA championship to his career achievements. Kuzmic won the EuroLeague championship in 2018 with Real Madrid, although he only appeared in two games during the season but earned his championship ring.

Rodrigue Beaubois

NBA: 2011 (Dallas Mavericks)

EuroLeague: 2021, 2022 (Anadolu Efes)

In the NBA, Beaubois was a member of the Dallas Mavericks team that won the championship in 2011. His contributions during the season, particularly in the regular season, highlighted his potential as a dynamic guard. The miniature guard averaged 8.4 points in the regular season but did not appear in the playoffs although he earned a championship ring. Beaubois only lasted four seasons in the NBA.

Beaubois' championships in both the EuroLeague and NBA showcase his talent and versatility across different basketball leagues. The guard won back-to-back EuroLeague titles with Anadolu Efes, a Turkish powerhouse that seems to rejuvenate a host of NBA players’ careers. The Frenchman averaged 10.6 PPG in 2021 and 9.1 PPG in 2022 so he had an important role with the squad. 

Elijah Bryant

NBA: 2021 (Milwaukee Bucks)

EuroLeague: 2022 (Anadolu Efes)

In the NBA, Elijah Bryant was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks team that won the championship in 2021. His contributions to the Bucks, though limited, provided him with the opportunity to add an NBA championship to his resume early in his career because he only played one game in the season and posted 16 points.

He appeared in 11 games in the postseason, averaging 4.5 minutes per game. A year later, the 6’5” shooting guard won a EuroLeague championship with Anadolu Efes in a supplementary role.

Kostas Antetokounmpo

NBA: 2020 (Los Angeles Lakers)

EuroLeague: 2024 (Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens)

Kostas Antetokounmpo, the brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo, is the latest player to have both an NBA title and a EuroLeague title. The 6’10” center was a part of the Los Angeles Lakers championship team in 2020 in the Covid-shortened season, appearing in only five games in the regular season and did not play in the postseason. 

In 2024, Kostas won a EuroLeague title with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, the same team his brother Thanasis played for and only averaged 0.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game in the year.