The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to take basketball in the United Kingdom to the "next level", says the New York Knicks' OG Anunoby.

OG Anunoby, of the New York Knicks, has invested in the redevelopment of a grassroots basketball court in Camden alongside City Hall, the National Basketball Players' Association (NBPA) and Camden Council The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to take basketball in the United Kingdom to the "next level", says the New York Knicks' OG Anunoby. With the working title of NBA Europe, it is planned for launch in October 2027 and will consist of between 12 and 16 European teams - with London and Manchester expected to be included. The deadline for final bids to own franchises was in June and it is hoped the identities of teams that will feature will begin to be announced this year, with the NBA receiving bids between $500m (£372m) and $1bn (£745m) for each target host city. Anunoby is the standout current player of UK origin in the NBA, having played a starring role in the Knicks' first NBA title win since 1973. Alongside the Portland Trail Blazers' Jeremy Sochan, the Boston Celtics' Amari Williams and Tobi Lawal, who is set to make his NBA debut this season for the Dallas Mavericks, Anunoby makes up part of the NBA's UK quartet. "I think it is amazing," Anunoby told BBC Sport when asked about the NBA Europe plans. "It's exciting and I think it is going to take basketball to another level out here."