London Invitational to Host Zalgiris and Paris Basketball
The upcoming London Lions Invitational, a new preseason basketball tournament, is poised to bring high-caliber European basketball action to the English capital. The event will feature EuroLeague contenders Zalgiris Kaunas and Paris Basketball, providing fans with an early look at the teams' revamped rosters and potential matchups.
London Set to Host Elite European Basketball Teams
On September 10th and 11th, at the Copper Box Arena, the London Lions will host the inaugural London Lions Invitational. This anticipated tournament brings together top European clubs for a compelling preseason competition. The event kicks off on September 10th with a match between the London Lions and Slask Wroclaw at 5:30 p.m., followed by a clash between Zalgiris Kaunas and Paris Basketball at 8:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude on September 11th with the third-place game and the championship final, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively.
This invitational offers an intriguing reunion for Zalgiris and Paris Basketball, who previously had a varied performance in the 2025-26 EuroLeague season. Zalgiris secured a strong fifth-place finish with a 23-15 record, while Paris Basketball ended in 16th place with a 15-23 record. Their last EuroLeague encounter on April 17th saw Zalgiris clinch a decisive 85-79 victory in Kaunas, securing their playoff spot and ending Paris's European campaign.
Both teams arrive with significantly altered rosters. Zalgiris has been particularly active in the offseason, adding talents such as Saben Lee, Carsen Edwards, Sterling Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, alongside the return of Marek Blazevic and Marius Grigonis. Notably, Maxwell Lewis and Keenan Evans, who were loaned to the London Lions for the 2026-27 season, will have the unique opportunity to play against their parent club during this tournament. Zalgiris also saw key departures, including Sylvain Francisco, who was a leading scorer and assist provider, and Moses Wright and Azuolas Tubelis.
Paris Basketball has also undergone a roster transformation. Nadir Hifi, a standout perimeter scorer from the previous season, returns to lead the team. New additions include Terry Tarpey, TJ Warren, Tyson Etienne, Maozinha Pereira, and Alize Johnson, signaling a fresh approach for the French club.
The tournament highlights a growing connection between the London Lions and their European counterparts. The Lions previously hosted Zalgiris in a sold-out preseason game and faced Paris in the 2024 EuroCup semifinals, where Paris ultimately emerged victorious before winning the competition.
The London Lions Invitational signifies a proactive step in showcasing top-tier basketball talent in the UK. By bringing established EuroLeague teams like Zalgiris and Paris to London, the tournament not only offers exciting competition but also elevates the profile of basketball in the region. For fans, it's a golden opportunity to witness elite players and dynamic team strategies up close, while for the participating clubs, it serves as a crucial testing ground for their new lineups ahead of the demanding regular season. This initiative could foster greater interest and development for basketball in London and beyond.