The increased globalization of the game doesn't seem to be abating any time soon, either. Stars like Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Manu Ginobili, Ricky Rubio and Danilo Gallinari all spent time in the Euroleague before coming to the NBA, and former NBA players like Rudy Fernandez, Juan Carlos Navarro, Acie Law, Andres Nocioni, Jordan Farmar, Nenad Krstic and Sonny Weems dot Euroleague clubs' rosters. Plus, many NBA fans are likely more familiar with the Euro clubs than they might think. Last year, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks went to Europe while Real Madrid, Montepaschi Siena and Maccabi Haifa came to North America this preseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers will head overseas, while CSKA Moscow comes to the U.S. and Canada, and the NBA and Euroleague hold exhibition games each October before the start of the NBA season. (Sort of like the Champions League in European soccer.) Select Euroleague games are broadcast on NBA TV in the U.S. The integration ought to help continue to raise the North American profile of the Euroleague, which is the top level of pro ball in Europe, featuring 31 teams from 18 countries, with the league roster evolving year-to-year depending on how teams finish in the pro leagues in their home nations.

I've already heard from a couple of fans wondering why certain teams weren't included I don't know, but here's hoping the list expands as the multi-year deal progresses. From Turkey, Fenerbahçe Ülker Istanbul and Anadolu Efes Istanbul.From Italy, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano and Montepaschi Siena.

From Spain, 2012-13 Euroleague runner-up Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Unicaja Málaga and Laboral Kutxa Vitoria.

From Greece, back-to-back Euroleague champs Olympiacos Piraeus and Panathinaikos Athens.

Here are the 14 teams that will be in the game: 'European basketball has an incredibly passionate following, and we’re all excited to give fans the opportunity to take on Europe’s best in 'NBA 2K14,'' said Jason Argent, senior vice president of sports operations for 2K Sports, in a statement announcing the deal. While games have included ways to use non-NBA players in the past - fan-made modified rosters shared online, for example, or the (sadly one-time-only) inclusion of several national teams in 'NBA Live 2008' in conjunction with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing - this represents the first time an official deal has been reached to include European club teams and players in a game.

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