These Countries Love Basketball Over Every Other Sport

Football is without a doubt the most popular sport around the globe. But there are a few countries in the world where that's not the case and basketball actually sits on the throne. Here are those countries...
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Do you agree these are the only basketball-first countries? 🏀Let us know in the comments below ✍ If you enjoyed the video, help us grow by hitting the like button & subscribing to our channel! Lastly, follow us on social media for more content: Twitter: twitter.com/basketnews_com/ Instagram: instagram.com/basketnews/ Inquiries for partnership: [e-mail]

[@DawoodIbrahim-qx7hk]

I believe there are more but it's debatable

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@DawoodIbrahim-qx7hk I post some countries who basketball is number 1 sport but the admin erased it… I don’t know why but the other countries are Bahamas South Sudan China Marshall Island Estonia (debatable) Then close to number 1 are Serbia, Syria, Greece, Latvia and Slovenia

[@telepoiss01]

Aren't you little harsh against Estonia? "Haven't had any success at any sport"

[@WastedBananas]

@@robertotampioc7318 marshall islands? really?

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@WastedBananas yes… Marshall Island was former US colony from 1945 to 1986… fun fact: the Marshall island do have their national team in basketball but they don’t have football (soccer) team, they are the only country on earth doesn’t have football team and not registered by Fifa… it’s obvious that basketball is their blood

[@georgetsapekis]

As a Greek, that grew up close to the Philippino neighborhood in Athens, I can assure you their love for the game is real 👊🏽

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Funny isn't it ! Their national teams are full of imports !

[@johnattack9631]

@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 The only "Imported " players on the last years are walkup and dorsey. Tyler can be considered greek since he does have greek roots, while Thomas got the citizenship after staying in the country for many years and being a key player for olympiacos. On the other hand there are similar cases to be made for many other countries such as Spain with Lorenzo Brown, a player who proved to be vital for their eurobasket success and a missing piece i the mudobasket squad

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

@@johnattack9631 I'm talking about the Philippines ... the self-proclaimed "best" amongst Asian .

[@Jaime.Lannister]

​@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 We only have one, the others are mixed and Have Filipino residency for at least 5 years

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

@@Jaime.Lannister Legal loophole 😁 To hell with homegrown talents . No Jordan Clarkson... no OQT No Justin Brownlee... no AG 🏅

[@grege5074]

my dad (born in Lithuania) would joke that "they would put you in basketball until you were 8, if you were no good, they make you go to school."

[@todorkraljevacki2007]

Serbia in football: 💀 Serbia in Basketball: 🐐 Edit: as independent country

[@user-cj1sq9gd5c]

I am Serbian

[@todorkraljevacki2007]

@@user-cj1sq9gd5c me too

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

serbia is kinda ok in football too, they play in euros and world cups often, and in past with yugoslavia they were force . balkans love both sports imo

[@todorkraljevacki2007]

@@NostalgicMem0ries same but i love Motorsport more than Football and Basketball

[@fluvv9642]

​@@todorkraljevacki2007super max

[@jadalhajj4533]

In Lebanon we breathe basketball from toddlers to elderly

[@helgre]

KBIR YA PIONEERS

[@georgesderaawie1425]

Kbirr

[@eliekazmouz2012]

Kbiiiir

[@youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687]

Lebanon is already a real deal in Asian basketball

[@jadalhajj4533]

@@helgre no ana l coach

[@carloregalado7751]

I'll give you all an Idea on how popular Basketball is in the Philippines. we have more than 42 thousand barangay/barrio or Villages here and I'd say about 80-90 percent of them have an Annual Basketball tournaments and these games are always PACKED by local supporters as every streets and corners have their own teams. and most of the basketball courts that being played at are not covered court just simple ones mostly beside the church. some even have separate leagues for the Kids, teens and Adults. we also have about 1,500 municipalities and cities here and everyone of them have their own annual tournaments. these games are competitive and riots between fans are common in these local leagues.

[@BasketNews_com]

That's incredible...

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@BasketNews_com Did you erased my comment to you? I hope you read it… I also search which countries love basketball.. aside from 3 you mentioned, Bahamas, South Sudan, China and Marshall Island are those countries love basketball.. Estonia might be on the list but not official… there are other countries that basketball will be consider their number 1 sport.. example is also Mongolia… although wrestling is officially their national sport (and some says popular), but in terms of popularity these days, Basketball is clearly the most popular in Mongolia, proved? Check their 3x3 programs, their home games during fiba qualifiers.. Mongolians love basketball more than football… their crowd was wild, one of those countries that Basketball is more followers than their football counterpart

[@edgarurbina531]

@@BasketNews_com Basketball is LIFE... :)

[@athenstar10]

Plus, some will play on their flip flops.

[@Joshua-fq9tm]

Pick up games/scrimmages between groups with a bottle of coca-cola as the price to win will have guys throwing hands just so they could win the game.

[@soik1401]

Basketball is a big sport, because it rank high in many countries. Not because it ranks nr.1 in a few.

[@Themistokleos76]

Agreed, Basketball rules in Lebanon 🇱🇧🇱🇧🇱🇧 thanks for highlighting this. Great show. Keep it up and go Olympiakos

[@viliuxsas]

I have faced with deaf Lebanon basketball national team and even they say that basketball is number one in their country and the deaf team is supported by their locals just like the normal team.

[@Low_Tier_Elf]

In Philippines, basketball is not just only a game, basketball is our life.

[@David-fr3mi]

I have played a 5v5 tournament in the Philippines and it was crazy they celebrated a normal euro step like ankle breaker from Allen Iverson. It was a hole different experience than what I had before playing it in Germany. 150-300 people have watched the game🤯

[@DennDaemon]

Lol😂, so true🤣😂

[@marksines1246]

there’s a reason filipinos don’t have anyone excel in the big leagues

[@slyck_supracotra7136]

Filipinos are more interested in NBA than the local PBA and we are the best fans when it comes to international basketball games like fiba 😁😁

[@user-sg6ii3eo9i]

That's not something to be proud of

[@skrattaoppar9753]

​@@user-sg6ii3eo9iat least people are slowly transitioning to MPBL rather than corporation Basketball.

[@ronnelalipio6066]

As a Filipino, I agree with you. Philippines is a basketball crazy country. It's like a religion. I also recently started watching Europeague and I like the intensity of the game. Every game matters.

[@sharpshooter0174]

Greece is really big in basketball,yet football gets the most popularity

[@georgiosioannispappas6311]

Football is king in Greece. Only people who care about basketball are Oly and Pao fans.

[@2lazylizards961]

​@@georgiosioannispappas6311 Άρης και είσαι άσχετος

[@MCMace97]

you have to consider south sudan. it's the youngest country in the world and they will play for the olympics. people's genetics make them very tall and they love to play basketball.

[@carloemmanuelleramos7975]

You're cooking bro. Hahaha

[@robertotampioc7318]

It will be matter of time they will declare basketball is their number 1 sport… probably after Olympic Games…

[@burakculhaci9882]

in turkey, the ranking in popularitywise is like that: 1)men football 2)men basketball 3)women volleyball 4)women basketball 5)men volleyball the ranking is successwise: 1)women volleyball 2)women basketball 3)men basketball 4)men volleyball 5)football

[@magnumbrahms5339]

I know a Filipino who has a shrine for Portland Trailblazers. What a weird love for bball lmao.

[@jd4062]

I visited Lebanon and I was shocked how basketball obsessed they are.

[@ralph.hn.91]

Derby Beirut: Sagesse vs Riyadi ,the 2 historical clubs with most of achievement 🇱🇧

[@georgemarat5513]

I agree, even though Greeks love basket ball.Keep going your excellent job. Greetings from Greece. GREEK TEAM IS GOING TO TAKE THE EUROLEAGUE. 😊

[@georgiosioannispappas6311]

We don't love basketball man, we just happen to have two consistently competitive teams in Euroleague, and only the fans of those two teams follow the sport. Football is absurdly more universal here.

[@lordjayvideos]

In Australia, while Bball isn’t a clear cut number 1 sport on all metrics, it’s finally overtaken Soccer in terms of participation in the country. The quality of local bball talent has also overtaken soccer. In terms of viewership, it’s overtaken soccer in terms of TV viewership & average attendance (by percentage). And Australia is the fastest growing NBA streaming market outside of the US. We’ve got high hopes for the sport in the country and if the men’s & women’s teams can continue to be successful it can solidify itself as the most popular non-AFL/NRL sport in the country.

[@santi_traveller]

I'm from Uruguay. Here basketball is definitely our second biggest sport, of course behind football. There's a big basketball culture.

[@walangintrohypebasketball264]

thats good and your country will host FIBA Americup?

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@walangintrohypebasketball264nope… Nicaragua will host fiba Americup next year

[@milosvojinovic5710]

As a. Serbian, who is more in basketball, I say that FOOTBALL is no. 1 in Serbia, although wee are the best in basketball.. One anegdote, foreigner whomwas visited Serbia wrote "Serbia, country of apsurds, - - they have the most beautiful girls, and there are no kids born, -- everyone is hyped on football, and they are winning in basketball,...

[@mda990]

give Serbian girls to Filipinos they will make them give birth and nba would have a lot Filipinoserb in the future💪

[@sonte2813]

If they manage to beat the US in this Olympics, I bet Serbia basketball popularity will rise above football no? ;)

[@milosvojinovic5710]

@@mda990 😂 and give Philippine girls to Serbian men who can not find wife, and everyone will be happy 😂

[@jimlytrivis5524]

​@@sonte2813 no mate, in greece its the same thing. We are more successful in basketball and have beat usa in 2006, but no1 its football and will always be. Its the king of sports after all.⚽

[@milosvojinovic5710]

@@sonte2813 we beat them in WC which is the most important for us, but still football is the sport of masses

[@kostasoly9318]

Football in Greece yes...but most success in Basketball...also in Greece is:Football,Basketball,Waterpollo,Volleyball,Handball...🇬🇷

[@amon209]

Jokić brothers coming for you

[@carlosdeiscar4616]

Although undoubtedly football is the most popular sport in Spain, I read the other day an interesting article that the basketball federation is the federation that has more players affiliated

[@gambitacio]

Because it’s two top basketball clubs are linked to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

[@edsonparcia9679]

Basketball is crazy in the Philippines from Local schools, communities, and even on work (firms and organization) they have some sort of clubs or team annually playing on a league. Every street on the Philippines has some sort of basketball rim certainly 90% of our courts are improvised ones sticking on whatever post we can find. Heck, even on a far flung military garrison at the very edge of the country in the middle of nowhere there is still a rim. It's just really the most beloved sport here. given that we have a population of 110 million, It's purely height and poor grassroots program that limits us Filipinos to truly be competitive on a global level of success in basketball. Regardless... Basketball is still king in Pilipinas.

[@slXD100]

filipinos surely love basketball, no doubt that it established itself well. but to be honest, the large viewing crowds or specators that go watch even some casual games being played on concrete fields are more of a filipino social/cultural structure than basketball-craze. most filipinos i know sometimes go watch games in their villages or the courts where guys play but do this as a way of socializing, not because they love basketball. it's just normal to go and do that. nothing wrong with it but I dont think that people watching and having fun when others play ball is a direct love of the sport, just social behaviour. that's just my experience however.

[@antoinehaddad2023]

Nadim was not very biased with his approach ! 2006 and 2010 results helped to gain popularity but the first ever Lebanese club to win asian cup and Arab championship was the main trigger to this evolution and Sagesse participation in the clubs World Cup. And that club Mr Nadim is Sagesse !! You didn’t even share with the guy some old pictures of closed roads all the way from Ghazir to Beirut !

[@germanosantoine5457]

Totally agree with you. Lebanese would have been nothing today without President Antoine Choueiri.

[@wizoozbest]

Grew up guys 😂

[@user-nv1gm2zj7y]

the philippines won fiba world bronze. back in the 1950s

[@rayak5725]

🇱🇧🇱🇧🇱🇧 But you missed the biggest club in Lebanon and Asia, Sagesse Club, with 3 Asia Cup titles (the most in history) 💚💚

[@transition4522]

Sagesse isnt the biggest team lebanon's history lmao. They have 1 more asia cup than riyadi but riyadi have 23 Leagues more than them. Riyadi is the best lebanese club in history and its not even debatable 😊

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Imports laden Lebanon teams

[@rigel6592]

I don't know about Asia, let's see in BCL Asia, Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines are also contenders. Philippines and Korea are at the disadvantage because PBA only acquires 1 world import while 2 in the KBL

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

@@rigel6592 Commercial leagues are different from the WC and Olympics . Philippines exploited loophole regarding imports in it's national teams .

[@rigel6592]

@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 I didn't mention the national teams? All I mentioned is the domestic league, the team's cohesion, PBA ball clubs need to acquire 1 or more world imports and that puts the team at a disadvantage due to the import rules in the PBA and the conferences. And how did the Philippines exploit the rules when their appeals are rejected all the time and Clarkson plays as an import and not local?

[@aidanw9378]

It's very weird which countries love basketball. There are usually trends in which sports are most popular, but basketball is such a random collection of countries

[@spymaster3366]

the thing is from what i know in the balkans at least there is love for the club whitch translates to love or at least support for every sport the team competes in but thats for the true fans of the clubs

[@apmoy70]

No arguing there, in Greece football is No1, especially after the 2004 Euro success. Basketball is unquestionably No2 though, miles ahead of the third popular sport (water polo probably, some say it's volleyball...debatable)

[@solobv7856]

if you ask for the most succesful national sport for sure polo , but the third most famous is for sure volleyball

[@georgiosioannispappas6311]

As of now, F1 is the third most popular sport in Greece.

[@klavsliepkauls7563]

I would say that in Latvia when you are talking about NT it's ice-hockey where basketball is very close. But on the other hand if we talk about interest for domestic and international leagues it's basketball.

[@amprosk]

I would give an honorable mention to Puerto Rico. Not a full country but competes independently in FIBA. There is some debate between basketball and baseball though. Baseball used to be king but nowadays I would put basketball ahead. Granted, we produce more MLB players than NBA players. However the local pro basketball league is much more popular these days than the baseball league

[@itzlucaaa6789]

That’s how it’s like in some parts of the states too. I can speak for New York it’s the same here used to be a baseball city back in the day but now it’s a basketball city since we all hoop growing up bc there’s one every 5 blocks

[@miguelc6563]

Y'all have to watch FIBA Asia matches between Philippines and Lebanon and there you'll find some answers. They're two of the most passionate fans in Asia.

[@robertotampioc7318]

Every matches between either Philippines, China or Lebanon are big hit in social media… although countries such as Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia and Syria increasing their fan bases…I still believe that basketball is 2nd most popular sport on earth… not cricket… basketball has more followers and teams in every corner of earth unlike cricket just focus on India and their neighbors…

[@cristiano7ronaldoTHEGOAT]

​@@robertotampioc7318 Cricket is 2nd biggest sport. Whole South Asia (India, Pakista etc) is crazy for cricket.

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@cristiano7ronaldoTHEGOAT ​​⁠… just only 1 region.. it just only their population makes the count… but cricket is not a global sport… outside South Asia, no one knows that sport… it’s unknown even in the wealthiest countries… Cricket is like American football in the US.. it’s only regional…

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@cristiano7ronaldoTHEGOAT if football was not invented, basketball will be the most popular sport in the world… no other sport that has put 2nd option as basketball… most football countries put basketball as their 2nd sport, USA 2nd sport is basketball, baseball countries such as Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela 2nd sport is basketball..in Europe and Middle East, basketball is easy the 2nd most popular sport… basketball popularity is getting bigger while cricket stuck in South Asia demographic fan base…

[@cristiano7ronaldoTHEGOAT]

@@robertotampioc7318 Baka. Enjoyable naman sya. Pero kasi maraming nasakop ang Britain baka cricket ang lumaganap.

[@Chriskoul1980]

There was a time during the mid 90s that basketball was no1 here in Greece. It was a little bit after the 87 European Championship, and the first club European sucesses, with Aris mostly and PAOK. In the mid 90s OLY and PAO took over with cosecutive Euroleague (or FIBA European Champion's Cup as it was called) F4 appearances and titles,. Aris and PAOK won a couple less major titles (Like Corac and Cup winner's cup) but other "smaller" clubs (like Panionios or Iraklis)had European success also. I remeber, as a teenager back then, that almost every day there were 2-3 basketball games on TV.

[@newastronomy1971]

Football is King China-India-Usa: Hold my beer..

[@Atreusz]

Who cares about these countries?

[@mda990]

@@Atreusz Philippines does. he makes drills with the usa against china

[@Atreusz]

@@mda990 What does this have to do with sports?

[@BobSmith-ql7fb]

@@Atreusz “Who cares” about the three largest populations in the world?? 😂

[@bns651]

Football is king

[@isrisentoday]

Basketball though is popular as the #2 sport in two giant countries, USA and China. That alone indicates that the popularity of basketball is underrated in alleged world sport surveys. It is also the #2 sport in many Euro, S American and African countries.

[@robertotampioc7318]

Maybe fiba has to bribe those stupid surveyors to put the sport at better ranking.. hahahahhahahaha… but atleast the real and legit surveyor Nielsen put basketball as number 2 sport… no other sport outside football has global mileage as basketball… every country knows basketball stars such as Lebron James and Stephen curry…

[@MrDuncanquasar]

I live in Indiana, although not a country but a state in the USA, but basketball is king here, Biddy basketball, high school, college and the Pacers. Check out the size of some of the high schools gyms here in Indiana.

[@itzlucaaa6789]

Yeah Indiana HS basketball looks crazy. I’m in NYC and don’t let google fool you we’re a basketball city straight up. There’s a court every block and mfers go crazy for the Knicks when they good

[@MrDuncanquasar]

@@itzlucaaa6789 Cool!

[@artipichersky9132]

In Israel Basketball is rising a lot - since the only club that was compatible was Maccabi tel aviv - it did rise in the early 2000's because there was almost no point being a fan of the team that goes to defently loose to Macabbi. In the recent years, 3 more clubs (Jerusalem, Hulon, and Hapoel tel aviv) had put a lot of money and the fan base had grew a lot, when a game between those 4 teams happen its a sold out arena for sure. And there are 2-3 more teams that compete internationally each year (excluding this year). So although soccer is #1 in fans, Basketball is the #1 in success and if Maccabi reaches final 4 you will see as many fans as possible reaching to the Berlin, paying absurd amount of money to support the team.

[@themazespinner2610]

As a Filipino, I can tell you, basketball is a religion. We are crazy about it. There was a time I slept till 4am to watch the Philippines eventually lose against Lebanon. When I was 7 I used to cry when they lost. My classmates and I often watch NBA games during class. Thousands watch pirated live streams on Facebook. Unfortunately, the PBA is dying and the system is broken.

[@robertotampioc7318]

How about when we beat China twice? I’m sure all Filipinos there partying after that.. beating China is very huge for us…

[@jonermd]

We can say pba is dying but basketball is still no. 1. That is why Japanese and Korean league is getting Filipino import so that their ticket sales and views get higher ratings.

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@jonermd true… basketball will be alive again when Gilas season started…many are excited to their OQT campaign even we are heavy underdogs… basketball will be forever number 1 here… as long as Filipinos exist, basketball still the king sport in our country

[@JushSam]

Bruh pba views even b league and kbl views can't keep up 🤣 just because there no so much audience live it doesn't mean the league is dying

[@themazespinner2610]

@@JushSam Bro the PBA is literally just a farmer's league for SMC/MVP teams.

[@PanagiotisXD]

As a Greek, while we are historically more successful at basketball, football remains the most popular sport, probably by far. I remember myself at primary school being the only basketball enthusiast in the whole class

[@babiskounadis3755]

Excellent work, congrats! You didnt make the usual mistake to include in those countries Greece. In fact basketball was the first and most popular sport in Greece for a decade (1987-1997), after winning the Euro of 1987, but then the sport declined and it is, by far, 2nd after football. Of course, all Greek sports fans watch Euroleague (NOT NBA), due to its high competition and to the partcipation of two basketball powerhouses, Παναθηναικός and Ολυμπιακός. PS: I would suggest you, to make a very intrestibg investigetion, in which countries basketball is the SECOND most popular sport. For instance, this is the case in Greece, where basketball is 2nd by far from the 3rd sport.

[@robertotampioc7318]

I will tell you, most of countries who football are their main sport, take basketball as their 2nd sport… even some baseball countries make the sport basketball as their 2nd choice.. countries who put basketball as their 2nd sport are: Spain Serbia Greece Turkey Israel Syria Jordan Egypt Nigeria Congo Tunisia Argentina Saudi Arabia Bahrain Slovenia Montenegro Iraq Bosnia & Herzegovina Uruguay North Korea Cyprus Latvia Puerto Rico Dominican Republic Taiwan Venezuela Palestine Azerbaijan USA Macedonia Liberia Morocco Senegal Cameroon Angola Ivory Coast If football was not invented, basketball might be the most popular sport on earth… that shows how global sport is.. in fact, even countries such as France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Finland, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Iran, etc… put basketball as their top 5 sport and the popularity there increasing every year…

[@Sceptile24]

Great stuff

[@i_doc9]

As a 43-year-old Lebanese, I've witnessed the rise of basketball, particularly sparked by the successes of El Hekmeh and Al Riyadi teams in the late 90s, notably in the Asia Cup. El Hekmeh stands out as the most successful club in the Asia Cup, clinching the title three times, with their first two victories consecutively in 1999 and 2000. Al Riyadi, although a runner-up in 1998, also secured the championship twice. This momentum in club successes laid the foundation for the achievements highlighted in the mentioned video for the national team.

[@RandomStuffFreak]

i wouldve exxpected Steve Kerr to have an influence on the basketball culture of Lebanon, this was a good video

[@DawoodIbrahim-qx7hk]

When you mention Lebanon what's most successful is not thw NT but the clubs, we have 5 Asian Basketball Champions Leagues in total Sagesse having 3 (most ever) and Riyadi 2 (second most) as well as a massive amount of Arab Club Championships, Dubai International Basketball Championship, and a participation in McDonald's cup as well as West Asia Club Championships.

[@robertotampioc7318]

Philippines vs Lebanon or China vs Lebanon or Philippines vs China in FiBa Asia competitions are always a blockbuster hit… taking million views in social media… I hope more countries will join our countries in basketball world… football still number 1 but let’s make basketball a clear number 2 spot… it has potential to beat cricket’s popularity since it is only popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh…

[@mckoppis67]

north korea should have been in this list

[@robertotampioc7318]

Football is most popular sport there… basketball is still 2nd, actually their rules in basketball is very weird.. if you know then you will see it in some social media platforms

[@eziopanorama4858]

North Korea is first in ALL THE LISTS, isn't it? 😂

[@sportsfervor]

You should have 9M new subscribers. Love from the Philippines.

[@fabianfleige6746]

What about South Sudan? I know, its a new country and you probably do not get much data from it. But when you look at the excitement for Basketball in the past years and compare it to other sports, one can probably argue that Basketball is the most famous sport there. If I'm wrong, than please correct me :)

[@robertotampioc7318]

After Olympics, for sure South Sudan will declare basketball as their national sport… they will be the first African nation that football is not their number one sport… and their program is growing… they have future NBA prospect that will bring SSD to be a big contenders for international competitions

[@ilikeaks9419]

As a Greek basketball at 1980 was the number 1 game in the country because of Nikos galis

[@Kazbasketball]

I think there is a shift n Latvia, after the gold 3x3 Olimpics medal and success at the 5x5 WC, if they gonna get both 5x5 and 3x3 into Olympics(well 3x3 already in), we can debate Latvia as Basketball Nation in the making!

[@leosalles5338]

i´m from brazil, so soccer/football is above God for many over here. Basketball was the second sport for a long time, but volleyball took the spot. Luckly, bball is the 3rd.

[@Lincoln1_5]

You missed Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 BSN is one of the most competitive basketball leagues in the World and regularly takes in former and future NBA players, beat the US dream team and up until recently had a top 3-5 Olympic team most years. Before any of you know it all starts, I saw basketball overtake baseball on the island in my lifetime. We have far better professional baseball players tho.

[@helgre]

RESPECT MY LITUANIAN FELLAAAA. LEBANON MENTIONED BASKETBALL N1 🌲🌲🦅 WTF IS FOOTBALLL. Lebanese national football team is ranked 150 WHAT A SHAME to compare it to basketball. Lebanese basketball NT is ranked 28😤😤😤😤 JUST TO ADD ALSO IN LEBANON THEY PLAY OFFICIAL FOOTBALL GAMES ON ARTIFICIAL GRASS THERE IS NO SINGLE STADIUM APPROVED BY FIFA

[@cristiano7ronaldoTHEGOAT]

Same with Philippines. I love football but nobody likes football here.

[@83guy82]

Here in Lebanon we're on the horizon of a new golden age so things will only get better🇱🇧🇱🇧

[@user-ez4yy2vu4l]

u are a failing country held hostage by a terror group and a corrupted goverment

[@mihajlo426]

In Serbia football is no 1 and it is the only sport where we arent good historicaly ... but basketball is like a tradition here , every village and town have annual tournaments that are being played for decades . A huge persentage of people like myself wath both football and basketball religiously so the gap is not that big

[@lei9811]

It would be fun if there can be a pocket tournament that features these 3 countries perhaps before the FIBA OQT.

[@elpoiro]

_Football is king _Not in the U.S _Ok so Basketball is king there. _Well, their number one sport is also called football... But it's not football. _What the Fuck ?

[@squozerrplays7365]

Lol. I'm in the US I feel u bro. But the thing is we just like what we like

[@elpoiro]

@@squozerrplays7365 and no problem with that (i'm a bit of a Saints guy myself for american football). I thought this might be a good joke. I mean, american folks seem to have no problem with people saying football and american football, so the "soccer" thing always amused me.

[@lieutenantkettch]

There’s an old joke that since American football doesn’t use anything shaped like a traditional ball and is mostly played with the hands, it should be called handegg 🏈 and not football ⚽️.

[@reelsmb]

You forgot to mention that Philippines is the most succesful asian country in international level if we will discuss about the highest placed rank in Fiba World Cup (3rd place) and Olympics (5th place)

[@BanBanChi]

I'm surprised Puerto Rico wasn't mentioned. They've had multiple NBA players and have the honor of being the first team to beat a "Dream team" in the 2006 Olympics. Also Puerto Rico is the only colony to have international representation. The local league, BSN is insanely competitive and attracts attendance similar to the Euroleague's.

[@emils523]

Baseball easily

[@TheJedisecondclass]

In Greece, Greek Basketball National Team is called "Official Sweetheart".

[@georgiosioannispappas6311]

Not anymore

[@TheMarslMcFly]

I wish Basketball was more popular here in Germany. Obviously Football is the undefeated King. After that you have stuff like Tennis and some Winter Sports. Based of viewing numbers most likely even Formula 1 and American Football. Basketball seems to grow slowly, especially after our World Cup win last year, and us now getting two NBA Games a week on Free TV, but we still got long ways to go.

[@t.t.3753]

Also after that Handball then Ice Hockey and then only Basketball. But I guess it also depends on the city you live in. Like Bonn and Bamberg are Basketball cities.

[@TheMarslMcFly]

@@t.t.3753 I completely forgot about those. I'm from the South-East, so Handball doesn't exist here. And even though we have a decent successfull DEL Team, I couldn't care less about Ice Hockey lol

[@walangintrohypebasketball264]

so basketball in Germany is like #5 popular sport?

[@t.t.3753]

@@walangintrohypebasketball264 according to statistics even further down: Football, Ski, Handball, motor race (e.g. Formula 1, DTM), Handball, Ice Hockey, Tennis, Boxing, swimming, cycling (Tour de France) Golf and then Basketball

[@slXD100]

@@TheMarslMcFly football is sadly too strongly placed into europe, maybe because it originates in england and then spread and manifested itself as an accessible sport to all within the european continent. i honestly don't like football, it's boring and sometimes the better team loses which brings in the luck factor that really makes it non enjoyable.. imo tennis and basketball should be at the top.

[@holzkopf2727]

Basketball in Germany sadly not yet

[@Dikvondik]

Germany never

[@chahineboudemagh9596]

Zero chance in hell basketball would ever surpass football in Germany

[@supersaiyanjin2199]

Fun fact: Germany is the 2nd country after spain to win both the fiba and fifa world cup

[@walangintrohypebasketball264]

is basketball is getting hype in Germany?

[@BC-th3mx]

@@supersaiyanjin2199 Brazil & Argentina did before both of them, and Argentina also has gold medal

[@supersaiyanjin2199]

Honestly if investors focus on marketing the euroleague more than the nba they can see the potential growth of basketball as a whole It will be the equivalent of the champions league if all the best players in the world play there even the americans

[@robertotampioc7318]

If Euroleague wants more money? They should put their time slot accessible in Asian cities… the money is in Asian market.. many Asians want to watch Euroleague but because the time slot is not accessible, they can’t watch it live in any platforms

[@joosuahollman9605]

I'm from estonia. I agree with your insights.

[@Tom2kvals]

The datas about favorite sports stats are so broken... I remember a "study" saying British are the biggest fans of basketball... What the hell?? Trust u way more

[@nationarmy2514]

I hoped in to see for the Greece.. I'd say u r very accurate.. Greece is kinda bad at football but we all love it above all

[@frf5000]

Estonia for some reason still tries to be good at football, but were garbage. I dont know why we dont just focus on basketball.

[@henrimarjoan7876]

Because unlike you other Estonians arent just gloryhunters and likes to watch and play sports because they like the actual sport and not because they just want to win. Also you suck at basketball too so if you want to start winning you should pick smaller sport since Estonia is small. Or just watch kiiking. Im saying this as a football and basketball fan from a country that isnt that good at those.

[@kikislv634]

Y’all good in volleyball

[@pavlosegeda8294]

Because any 'average' human can play football, to play basketball you need to be freak of a nature.

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@pavlosegeda8294… nope, look at Japan basketball team, most of their national players are small, their PGs are 5’7 both… it’s all about system…

[@pavlosegeda8294]

@@robertotampioc7318 And how many of them play in NBA ? No one, right ? On other hand there are a lot of 'short' football players, some of them all time greats.

[@Hpn.2]

im in the video im the kid in a black and white jersey in lithunia (it was five years ago).

[@lm7_gio]

In Greece most popular sport is malakia, 2nd football, 3rd basketball

[@JushSam]

0:48 its in the ph We have the second longest basketball league PBA usa is the first the NBA We filipino not the most athletic or tallest person but we love hooping so much

[@ThisGuyLoots]

easiest way to check popularity is to check players salary, split it to 3 (high,fair,low) and by age, and make comparison to other sports within the country

[@bugsy101073]

Philippines won the Bronze Medal in the FIBA world cup in the 50s and won the FIBA Asia Championship in the 70s

[@olympiakos7Peiraias]

For Greece , the duel between basketball and football is really close, although yes, football is at the top.

[@aftermeta6556]

I didn't knew about Lebanon as for Greece Basketball ranks n2 ..

[@solobv7856]

As a greek i agree with you although it is not as clear as you made it seem.In the last 20 years for sure only pao and oly fans are obsessed with basketball , but in years before there were more teams.Like aris , paok and aek.Especially aris was huge and believe when i say that most of the times that the whole country stayed home to watch a match was for basketball , not football.Football for now is king but if greek football remains being like that ,i believe that more and more fans will be keen to basketball.For example now , the most shows of athletic sites on yt in greece are about basketball.So it depends who you ask.I believe the excitement for basketball is bigger , because the level is higher , but football remains the most famous

[@Guitarman77]

So now I know. Thats why Gilas Filipinas players would love to come to Lituania for practice and friendly games because we have one thing in common, our number sport is basketball.

[@rarerimagtanong5508]

@BasketNews Added info: Before basketball became famous in the Philippines, football or soccer was the no.1 sport in the Philippines (before U.S. came); as a matter of fact, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) was the oldest national football association in Asia (established in 1907). Also, in FC Barcelona team, a record of scoring 395 goals in 399 matches was held by a filipino footballer in the name of Paulino Alcantara which was broken by Argentine footballer Lionel Messi about a century later in 2014. He is considered by Barcelona as one of its "legends"

[@think_again82]

In the Philippines you could find a half court in every corner of the street.

[@mikestavrakis9151]

I am surprised Slovenia was not on this list.

[@01ment]

Winter sports are more popular there.

[@samoskrabar]

Football is #1 sport for us, even though we are way better in basketball

[@bostjanhribersek1205]

When is winter we like ski, ski jump... But another time we love football, basket, handball and volleyball. 1 to 4. I live here and I watch almost 90 %of this games almost 35 years, when I have 11. 👍🇸🇮

[@jorisoims3085]

How popular is cycling in Slovenia, with you guys having unbelivebale riders like Pogacar, Roglic and Mohoric ?

[@thomasgrabkowski8283]

@@samoskrabarThanks to Luka Doncic

[@ricdotdev]

Re: PH bball: MICAA is also worth mentioning. It was PH's premier bball league before the PBA.

[@nicolasskayem4815]

for sure basketball is numb 1 in lebanon, and you can check also duop reath team in lebanon before going to the nba this season

[@GolDRoger-fx2fp]

Do you know that the Philippine National Basketball Team is only second most popular basketball team in the country? The most popular basketball team in the Philippines is Barangay Ginebra in the PBA. It's highest recorded audience is 50,000 plus even higher when Gilas Pilipinas play in the country in the same Philippine Arena.

[@cristiano7ronaldoTHEGOAT]

lol Thats not true. Ginebra is kangkong

[@AJ-kc4ry]

Philippines have the Largest indoor arena in the world

[@1bercades]

I know some guys playing 3 basketball leagues at the same time here in PH, with or without audience. We don't just watch it, we play the sport.

[@robertotampioc7318]

Basketball vs cricket fan metrics Basketball popular in : China, Lebanon, Philippines, Lithuania, South Sudan, Bahamas Huge also in (2nd sport) : Serbia, USA, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Spain, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Slovenia, Montenegro, Latvia, Estonia, Mongolia, Taiwan, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Congo, Bahrain, Uruguay, Ivory Coast, Iraq Also gaining popularity in : Japan, Australia, France, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Finland, Korea While cricket has India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, UK, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nepal While also gaining popularity in Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Oman and Kenya Country metric wise, basketball is more popular country by country against cricket.. population wise they have india, Pakistan and Bangladesh who already have huge followers, mainly around 1.5 to 2 billion estimated but for sure not all of those people living there like cricket a lot… meanwhile Chinese fans can cancel out Indian fans of cricket since the two are biggest population on earth… while Pakistan and Bangladesh followers can be cancel out by atleast 10 countries who followed basketball as whole such as Philippines, USA, Turkey, Spain, Nigeria, Taiwan, Egypt, Congo, South Sudan and venezuela… I don’t know why basketball was underrating at most, putting them at lower rank in terms of popularity is disrespectful… since it’s the only sport after football does have worldwide mileage, followers in every corner on earth… no way sports such as hockey, tennis, volleyball are more popular worldwide than basketball itself.. and even cricket numbers wise…

[@Kai-gr6sg]

Yes, you summed it up perfectly. Basketball is the 2nd most worldwide sport, and it has China and the US. I think the analytics just assume that everyone in India like Cricket. And some of those lists aren't even close to being plausible.

[@user-ev7mg2zs6e]

Yes, Nielsen data clearly states that basketball is the second sport. Why do these media think basketball only has 450 million fans? As far as Asia is concerned, China has 360 million fans (announced by our government), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia are all the second or third most popular sports.

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@Kai-gr6sg also data says that only 70-80% of Indians followed cricket by much… so that means around 800-900 million Indians they have on cricket… then Pakistan and Bangladesh supporters will just only around 300 - 400 million since I’m sure not all Pakistanis and Bangladesh are into cricket too… other countries who followed cricket likes of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan have little population only… so estimated only 1.5 billion cricket fans just they have… unlike in basketball that majority of football countries put basketball as their 2nd sport.. most of those are close data of followers of football and basketball (example in Serbia, Greece, Syria, etc..) and also most of Latinos who loved baseball putting basketball also as their 2nd sport (Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela)… if football was not created, it’s basketball will be the most popular sport on earth no doubt… like football, basketball just requires ball and hoop.. that’s it… unlike other sports that need equipments to play that sport

[@walangintrohypebasketball264]

you already know that like imagine almost all county of the world have a National Pro Basketball League

[@siuuu1957]

Because basketball for many is boring.only few who likes it. Thats the truth.

[@emils523]

Latvia is basketball right now for sure

[@jktv3332]

here in the Philippines basketball is played everywhere, rain or shine, even during flooding

[@serbian_nationalist14]

Serbia in tennis: 🐐🐐🐐🐐 Serbia in basketball: 🐐🐐🐐🐐 Serbia in waterpolo: 🐐🐐🐐 Serbia in volleyball: 🐐🐐 Serbia in football: 🐐?

[@darwinyuson9338]

Serbian in the Philippine basketball: Coach Rajko Toroman, Coach Nenad Vucinic, Coach Tony Vujanic

[@primoziskra6394]

Lithuania 100%, have no idea about Philippines and Lebanon. But Slovenia maybe can be on this list also.

[@helgre]

LEBANON MENTIONED BASKETBALL N1 WTF IS FOOTBALLL. Lebanese national football team is ranked 150 WHAT A SHAME to compare it to basketball. Lebanese basketball NT is ranked 28

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@helgre Philippines vs Lebanon or China vs Lebanon or Philippines vs China in FiBa Asia competitions are always a blockbuster hit… taking million views in social media… I hope more countries will join our countries in basketball world… football still number 1 but let’s make basketball a clear number 2 spot… it has potential to beat cricket’s popularity since it is only popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh…

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

​@@robertotampioc7318 Australia and New Zealand have invaded FIBA Asia ! Asian nations can only dream of winning 3rd place .

[@Gator.DontPlayNoShit]

The Philippines has the second oldest basketball league in the World.

[@robertotampioc7318]

@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 it will be matter of time Asian teams can beat Oceania duo…

[@dioratikon]

In Greece football is by far the most popular sport

[@14Jondaime]

i have a high school classmate who unfriend me in facebook because Kobe and the Lakers beat the Celtics - i was a Lakers fan and he Celtics. that's how passionate Filipinos are about basketball, it can ruin friendships. 😂

[@bryanaa196]

I'm Filipino and if they took the 8.4 unique viewers data from subscriptions then it's probably be much more, it's probably 1 subscription = 1 watch party.

[@AlexLog314]

There is no debate for Greece. Check how many people were out in the streets when we won the Euro2004 in football compared to the Euro2005 in basketball. 😂

[@Nikosk00]

we are used to success in basketball. but football is bigger for sure

[@newastronomy1971]

@@Nikosk00 1987 will be for ever the best. The famous archaeologist Manolis Andronikos compared the celebrations with the Greek Liberation from the Germans in 1945!

[@FF18Cloud]

Geez the number of american Filipino leagues here in thr US, man...

[@iii898iii]

Bunch of 5'5 hoopers

[@chinobandito7625]

The Balkans is like a factory for producing top level NBA players

[@sunnyshines9051]

Trust me if basketball get popular in India it will surely hit the 2nd most popular sports in the world

[@robertotampioc7318]

It will not happen in India since they love cricket so much… but the sport is not global… only more followers in India and their neighbors… that’s it… I don’t believe also that cricket has 2.5 billion followers… not all Indians like cricket…

[@user-ev7mg2zs6e]

Nielsen Sports Data, the most professional data company, clearly states that basketball is the second sport. Why do these media think basketball only has 450 million fans? As far as Asia is concerned, China has 360 million fans (announced by our government), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia are all the second or third most popular sports.

[@robertotampioc7318]

Victor wembayanma highlight views reached billion views since his arrival in the NBA.. this is not Lebron or curry, it will not reach billion views if the sport has only 400 million fans… other sports who they ranked high such as hockey or volleyball can’t have billion views in most of their social media platforms…

[@user-ev7mg2zs6e]

@@robertotampioc7318 He has more than 4 billion views in China, and James has more than 130 billion views