In this article you’ll learn exactly how overseas basketball works, why it works that way, and how you can get involved. Need more info on what YOU need to do to play overseas? All covered on my Guides & Tips page.
Every time I meet a person and they ask me what I do, this happens:
“I play basketball.”
“Oh! For who?”
What follows is some answer about playing overseas or a certain country or the last place I was at. If lucky, the question-asker is satisfied and the conversation ends. Other times they are not satisfied, and the conversation doesn’t…end…there.
“How does that work?”
“Do you play against other countries or…?”
“What league is that?”
“Is it better than the NBA or…?”
“So why don’t you play in the NBA?”
I am sure a lot of players can relate to this exchange and the 15-minute explanation that follows.
This guide will explain, for the uninitiated — be it for players, or fans of basketball — how things work, in a general sense.
Every Country Has Its Own League Within the Country, Just Like America Has The NBA.
A player who “plays in Italy” plays for a team in an Italian league, against other Italy-based teams in that Italian league. They travel throughout Italy, playing road games against those teams. The rival teams also travel to the player’s home town, to play at their gym. Just like the New York Knicks travel to Boston, Los Angeles and Denver for games, and those cities’ team travel to NYC to play the Knicks. Simple.
Unlike The NBA, International Basketball Has No Player’s Union (For Protecting Players) Or Salary Requirements (For Protecting Teams), So How Much Money A Player Makes Is A Wide-Open Situation. VERY Wide-Open.
The NBA has minimum and maximum salaries because of the NBPA (National Basketball Players’ Union), which protects players’ rights, and the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), which is a contract between all NBA team owners and the NBPA.
The NBPA, in basic terms, fights for certain minimums for players (your own hotel room on road trips, a certain amount of per diem money, a league-wide minimum salary, etc) and goes to bat for players when there are player-ownership disputes (fines, suspensions, etc). The CBA is created for the owners (the NBA as a business, is essentially all 30 owners — the commissioner works for the owners) to protect themselves against the NBPA — maximum salaries (which did not always exist), dress codes, suspension guidelines, fine penalty regulations, guidelines on what can and cannot constitute “late” to practice, etc.
The NBA is the only basketball league in the world with a players union. This means, if you play in any league other than the NBA, you have no one looking out for your rights, save for your agent (if you have one). You are on your own. I have seen players sign multi-year deals for millions, and I have seen players who play for no pay. Americans overseas, in general, always are afforded a place to stay (not necessarily a nice place, but a place), and some amount of food — again this runs the gamut from every single meal paid for and/or prepared, to you being on your own in eating. All of these things can be negotiated in your contract, based on your negotiating position and power to even negotiate in the first place (which many overseas players lack).
Overseas basketball is a buyer’s market: there are more available players than there are available contracts, so teams can be picky and make take-it-or-leave-it offers to players, who, often, take such offers for fear of being left with nothing — in turn driving down salaries for all of us.
There Are A Few Select Top-Level International Teams Who, In Addition To Their Domestic Leagues, Play In A Group Against Each Other. The Main One Is Called The “Euroleague”.
Unless you personally know a person who plays overseas, this is probably the only International basketball you have heard of. The Euroleague is the best league in the world outside of the NBA. It consists of 24 teams, from various countries, who are considered the best of the best
(Note: in Europe, many times one club can “leapfrog” another in terms of leagues and levels not by way of team performance on the court, but by buying their way in. This happens at the domestic and Euroleague level. So the Euroleague is not necessarily the “best” 24 teams in Europe, but they are a good close representation).
Many very good current NBA players have played in the Euroleague; Manu Ginobili is one such player. If you are a college basketball fan and one of your favorite school’s top players didn’t quite make the NBA (or he did, but didn’t last long), there is a good chance he plays for a team that competes in the Euroleague. Keith Langford, Shelden Williams, Sean May, Drew Neitzel, Joey Dorsey, Josh Powell, Hilton Armstrong, Acie Law, Nick Caner-Medley, Matt Walsh, Omar Cook and Bracey Wright are just a few such players who are or have been in the Euroleague at some point in their careers.
Not Speaking The Native Language, For Americans, Is Not Much Of An Issue, As Most “Young” People (35-Under) Speak English.
I only speak English (and some Spanish) and have never had an issue getting around in any place I’ve been. Students in non-USA countries take English classes in school and watch tons of American TV; they know the language well, and a lot more about our culture than you’d think. The older people, I’ve seen, are the ones who don’t speak English many times and don’t care to learn (I have had multiple non-English-speaking coaches; that has been fun). But with a combination of basic English, a pocket translator (or phone app) and some gesturing (which is how I purchased condoms in Kaunas, Lithuania), you’ll get by.
Playing In Europe (Or Any Other Continent) Is Not Necessarily A “Better” Way To Get To The NBA. It Is Not Necessarily Worse Either.
&
The NBA’s G-League (formerly D-League) Is The Closest A Player Can Be To The NBA Without Actually Being In The NBA. But Many Good Players Don’t Play There. There Are Good Reasons Why.
The NBA is the most popular basketball league in the world, it has the best players, facilities, living/travel situations, and offers the most money.
But there are only 450 jobs in the NBA.
What this means: There are many very good basketball players who simply cannot all play in the NBA at the same time.
European clubs and NBA teams respect each other’s contractual agreements, which means this: Say you sign a contract with a team in Spain and play well, averaging 30 points per game for the first month of the season. The Chicago Bulls notice and want to sign you. They cannot act on this urge, however, until after your Spanish season is over, because you are in a binding contract with that Spanish team until the season is over or until/if that team decides to let you out of it early (highly unlikely, especially if you are playing well). So, signing with an overseas team is a season-long decision for players, forgoing an NBA shot that season (presumably, since the contract last well int the corresponding NBA season) when they sign that deal. Play well that season, and that player may get an NBA opportunity the following season.
The other option is the D-League, the NBA’s official minor league. The G-League does not offer much by way of compensation — their salary range is publishedonline in manyplaces — and houses you college-student style with the rest of the team. The level of play is high; the lifestyle is anything but. 15-passenger vans, Wal-Mart food trips and and coach-class flights are part of the G-League existence (which I don’t completely get, since the NBA backs the G-League the same way they backed the WNBA for many years before the WNBA was turning a profit. WNBA players play and practice in the same facilities as the NBA teams many of them share cities with, and earn 3-4X more money than G-Leaguers).
BUT, in the G-League, say you have that same great 30-point-per-game month that Hypothetical You had in Spain. In this case, an NBA team can sign you immediately; you could be playing for the San Antonio Spurs the very next day. You can go to (i.e., be called up by) an NBA team at any time when you are a G-League player, as opposed to being contractually married for a year or more (based on your contract) to a team overseas. By playing in the D-League, you are essentially betting on yourself in the chance that you’ll be one to hit that NBA contract lottery (which would be pro-rated for the amount of time you actually spend with a team). You can be called up and sent down between the NBA and G-League the same way baseball teams do their minor league players, with certain restrictions for teams in terms of frequency, player experience, etc.
So, many players have to choose between a year-long commitment to an overseas club, who could offer a better living situation, more money, and long-term stability on and off the court, and the chance of winning that lottery of being called to an NBA club in the G-League. This is not an easy choice as basketball players are people just like you; we want to live comfortably and have responsibilities — families, kids — outside of simply satisfying our basketball desires. We have to consider the endgame of basketball, hopefully putting ourselves in a position to continue living comfortably when our careers are done. Thusly, many really good players choose to play out their careers overseas, even when they have NBA teams wanting them to come over for non-guaranteed opportunities.
30 teams. 15 roster spots, up to 450 players total. Approx 85 players that were on rosters in 2012 were out off league in 2013. #NBA
NBA Training Camps are basically tryouts in the NBA — for example, the Miami Heat will have 20 or so guys in Camp, but only 15 make the team. Guaranteed contracts — contracts the team has already agreed to with certain players — play a role in who makes a club also (some teams go into Training Camp with 15 guaranteed players already signed, but as a player, you may still take the Camp invite just to get the exposure and “NBA Training Camp” on your resume). Unlike in the NFL, every cent agreed to in an NBA contract is guaranteed, no matter your performance.
Say, you just played a great season in the Euroleague and decide to give the NBA a shot the following season. The best overseas offers usually are offered in the summer. NBA Training Camps begin in October. So to take this shot, you are giving up your chance at the best Euro offers that year, which will be long gone by October. But the NBA is your dream, so you go for it. You outplay an incumbent player who was on the team the previous year — but that guy’s contract is already guaranteed for the upcoming season. So the team you’re in camp with — which, remember, is also a business — decides to pay just one guy (the guaranteed-salary player whom you outplayed) instead of paying two player (you, and the incumbent they had to cut to sign you — remember, that contract is guaranteed; he gets paid even if he doesn’t play).
This is the “numbers game” you hear of often when solid players get cut from NBA teams. You missed out on the NBA, and now the best overseas offers are gone, taken by players who decided in the summer that they weren’t going to go after an NBA roster spot.
This is the craps game that overseas players opt out of to have a more steady situation basketball and money-wise abroad. Again remember, athletes are people with lives to live. Everything must be considered.
Overseas Basketball Players Have A Ton Of Free Time On Thier Hands. There Is A Wide Range Of What Is Done With That Time.
Just like you, I roll my eyes when I see a basketball player release a mixtape or upload a freestyle to YouTube. But I completely understand. As basketball players overseas, you’re looking at a maximum 5 hours per day of actual “work,” and the rest is up to you. You must find something to do.
Some make rap music or sing R&B. I write blog posts, make videos and read books. Some chase entertainment in bars, nightclubs and females. Some play video games. Some draw or paint. There is enough time to take a up a serious hobby when playing basketball is your job. So when you see a ball player doing one of the aforementioned things, it doesn’t mean he’s not dedicated to the game or his team (also doesn’t mean he is, but that’s another post for another time).
—–
And I think that just about covers it. Any questions I have not answered, feel free to leave them in the comments. Any players in-the-know who have some info I left out, let me know about that, too.
Hello,
Thanks a lot for taking your time to publish articles like this.
I live in Australia, the sports system in general in Australia is favored for people of a medium-high economic ability. I don’t have that ability so I just play pick up games often but I want to take my game to the next level, I don’t just talk about it but whenever I’m free (study commitments take up a lot of my time) I play basketball. My life is literally studying, family and basketball. But I want to dedicate nearly all the time possible after school is finished to work on my basketball game. Studying in America is very expensive and the only way I can get into a university is through academics. I can get into a school in Europe through academics and I was wondering if you know if recruitment through university in Europe is a potential pathway and do you know any good basketball universities in Europe? Also, do you think this is a good way if it is possible?
Thank you very much
1. It’s your job to find out what is a possible pathway.
2. If I know of some, I don’t know you or your game thus could not recommend you to a school or vice-versa just off of talk. You’d need to show some proof of your ability (I have articles on this) to the people who could recruit you. This is also your job.
3. The depends 100% on if you can actually play. Which no one knows if you haven’t played anywhere.
Good luck!
Any recommendations on how to get a team Overseas to pay you back what they owe you on your contract?
Hire a lawyer. That would be the lest step though — try communicating with the team about the situation first; lawyer is the last resort because it likely burns any remaining bridge with the team.
Great article! I went to Villanova and I periodically check in on some of the Euro careers of our past players. I notice they all, regardless of how talented they are, seem to change teams every year. I’ve seen it with non- Villanova alumni as well. If you look at their profiles, they may have played for 10 teams in 10 years in 8-10 countries (Italy, Greece, Turkey, Russia, etc.). Can you explain why American players move around so much and are not with a team for a long period of time?
Also- I’ve heard stories in the past of players being pelted with coins while playing in Cyprus. I don’t know if that’s a wives tale, or if it’s true. Can you speak to the best countries to play in, and ones to avoid?
Teams, and players especially, find better (paying, playing, family-related) opportunities. Teams may want a different player who the team feels can better help them win.
I’ve heard about the thrown objects at games also, and it is true — but it’s happened in many places at times and could happen anywhere just like you could, for example, be in a car accident. You wouldn’t stop driving though. There are no countries to avoid; that would be like me pointing out a crime that happened in some American city then using that as a reason to never go there. There wouldn’t be any places left to go.
Besides, any athlete concerned over the “something happening” possibility — on or off the court — probably doesn’t fly halfway across the world for a job in the first place.
Whats the oldest you can play basketball for women’s overseas the min and the medium the youngest and oldest
Professional sports don’t have age limits, they have skill limits. You can’t control your age, only your game — I’d suggest you focus on that instead.
Why would a player (who doesn’t get much publicity in his current GLeague – let’s just say owners aren’t dumb or blind to off court behavior. IMO they promote good team players who are also good people) be traded overseas (or take a position over seas) mid season?
1. The G-League and overseas don’t trade players; your question is based on faulty assumption. This article you’ve commented on can help you understand the business.
2. I’ll define “promotion” as making news of something or someone who may or may not be good; a record company may spend a lot of money to get a mediocre song played on the radio a lot, for example. That’s promotion. This G-League “promotion” of players you mention does not exist. They show stats and highlights of good performances, just as the NBA does. Neither league “promotes” players outside of the above definition.
3. Publicity is what the spectators see; value to a team is what matters for a player’s playing career, not social media followers. This value is determined by team personnel, who don’t share their thoughts about potential roster moves with the public. No fan watching the games has any insight into these conversations.
4. Why an individual player would leave the GL to go overseas would depend on several factors, which you can read about in this article.
I’ve heard about some NBA players, such as Frank Ntilikina, making it onto a Euroleague team at the age of 15. How does that work?
Talent is how that works.
😂😂😂😂. The answer😂. Simple and clear.
how do you get to the euro league
Hey dre, if you sign a contract with a team and they are not treating you right for example no heat in your apartment i the winter and poor meals. can you leave and find another team?
Basic needs like what you mentioned are provided for in your contract.
But for something else, like not liking the coach or hating the city you’re in etc, you must have an official contract release.
Every pro team honors each other’s contracts. For example, you couldn’t just leave the Chicago Bulls and go play for the GS Warriors if you’re still signed to the Bulls.
All pro teams work the same way and respect each other’s agreements under FIBA (organization who organizes the Olympics, World Championships etc; NBA included). And if the Bulls don’t want to release you from the contract you signed they don’t have to.
Bottom line: your contract + your negotiation skills (or that of your agent) determine what you can or can’t do once signed.
Are European teams compensated for players that get drafted into the NBA?
Depends on the individual contract the player has.
Dre, ive read through the articles and i would like to ask what your best recommendation is for my future, as of right now through finance problems trying to go play at a JuCo, i have to sit a year out of any schooling, my buddy i train with everyday just landed an overseas contract from an exposure camp, he wants me to try a camp myself. Would it be smarter to go through my 4 years of college ball first or if i have what it takes just go straight for it? please answer from a basketball perspective as i know its more of a personal question.
An exposure camp does not disqualify you from college eligibility; signing a contract (or being compensated in any way) does. You can go to a camp and still return to college if you don’t get a contract.
there is an organization called strsljen sports management and consulting and they offer a 120 day garunteed pro contract offer or tryout or camp invite. for $350 i get them to put me in front of teams. is this a real thing? i’ve talked to some players and they said they went through it.
Then why are you asking if some players already confirmed it? And you don’t know me — you wont ever know until you take some action.
Hello Brother Dre how’s it going? Appreciate your article and God bless you for your informative
help. Does race play a factor in pursuing the chance to enter the NBA as an Asian American? Will me or anyone of Asian descent face any issues similar to Jeremy Lin? Lastly, wanted to know if a potential candidate for an NBA team/franchise will be turned down due to his age being 30 plus? Thanks again for your time.
Thank you for the comment! I’m assuming you are asking because you’re Asian — you’re stuck being Asian, so this question has no relevance. Either you will go for it or you wont. Coming up with reasons to worry or creating mental roadblocks for yourself is a waste of your resources.
As for the age Q, playing pro basketball is a job: Anyone can be turned down, for any reason. And they don’t have to tell you why. So this Q also isn’t necessary as you can’t go backwards in age.
Yo man…I’m 40…we kinda were kinda working our hoop dream around the same time. (late 90s..early 00s).
When I saw your hyperlink mentioning “John Jordan”….I LITERALLY laughed out loud. Talk about a BLAST FROM THE PAST! Hilarious…he almost got me too.
Haha, yeah he was working hard back then
So if someone has no college experience been out of high school for 4+ years do they have a chance at any overseas or d league team?
You’ll have to ask that someone. Only that person knows what their chances are. Read all the articles here to help that person out.
I played in Taiwan although it was only 4 games, I didn’t play in high school or college just put the work in. Trying out for a canada team this fall !
Do I need to be a citizen of that country eg Spain. To have a shot at playing in 1.(their basketball league) and 2.(the Euroleague) considering I have the skill to pay for both.
Read this page again.
Dre,
I played NCAA D2 and D1 ball (my school reclassified from D2 to D1 after my redshirt sophomore year) on a full scholarship. I was 2nd Team All Independent my junior year. I didn’t have a lot of money after college so I got a job instead of pursuing my dream to play professional basketball. I graduated and am now 27 but I am confident I have the size and skill set to make a teams roster overseas. I read your article about your tips to pursue a career overseas and I completely agree with it. I have all my games on film from my senior year and even a highlight dvd from my senior year. My question is, will teams overseas hold it against me that I haven’t played professionally anywhere for the past 4 years after graduating? Or are they more interested if I can still play? If they are just looking for someone that can bring value to their team, would you suggest to reach out to an agent and send them my film? Thanks.
I think any player considering playing pro sports needs to make these decisions himself and take action. You’re asking “what would happen if…” Qs which don’t even matter since we will never know from simply talking about it – how about you do it and find out?
Can’t disagree with you there either. Thanks for the response.
Dre,
I came across a “Pro Placement Program” put on by Europe Basketball Academy in Barcelona and was wondering if you had any insight if they are legit or not? They have a nice website and it seems legit but it’s larger financial investment as compared to a two day exposure camp here in the states. I’ve reached out to former participants of the program on Facebook and haven’t heard anything back. I was just wondering if you knew or heard anything about Europe Basketball Academy? https://www.europebasketballacademy.com/program/pro-placement-program/
I don’t know anything about them. As with any opportunity like this – camps, tryouts etc. – you must make a judgement call and see what happens!
Hi Dre,
Do you know if euroleague teams are using analytics to evaluate players? Obviously the revolution has been big in the NBA and I was curious as to whether it had spread to Europe.
If you look up “analytics,” it means ‘systematic evaluation of stats.’ That’s always been around.
If you actually mean “advanced stats.” such as what you can see on ESPN.com and such, you can easily google that and find out for the area you’re asking, since Europe is composed of multiple countries and leagues, and is not just one country with one league.
thx a lot bro,i found it.
hy Dre,how many international players are allowed to play in a full squad of one euro league team.
Depends on their rules – you can Google that
I got sent an offer sheet to play over seas last month and I signed and sent it in. Yet I have not heard anything back from the team since. What do you suppose that means? Are they no longer interested or doesn’t it just take a long time for the process
Too vague for me to say; only they know what the deal is. You should contact them and find out.
Why does it seem like almost every overseas player switches teams after 1 year? Hoping to play in the NBA?
Because contracts are usually one season or less. Not because of the NBA, though that may be the goal of many players.
how many games is there in a season?
Depends on the league. There are hundreds of leagues.
Can Indians play professional basketball leagues in Europe and what is the correct way and eligibility to start.
Read the entire Help page. DreAllDay.com/Help
I honestly have no clue where to get started. I got my GED instead of a high school diploma and planning to take off with my basketball career and I don’t know who to talk to to get my career started and or how to get it started. Will you give me done advice?
Read the Guides & Tips page on this website under “Pro Basketball”
I wonder what your take is on coaches looking to coach in Europe. I’ve contacted quite a few agents but almost all only work with players. I’m heading over to Germany in a few weeks to meet with a couple of former European players I know and also to see if I can work some camps, but there must be a better way. Thank you.
My advice would be to gain some experience – so your going to Europe is a great way to start. Volunteer to help some teams in any way, train some players, make yourself known.
If a player overseas terminate their contract due to non payment & the other team is not letting them out of the contract, what can be done ?
Technically it depends on the contract terms, BUT – payment is usually part of the contract. So if payment does not happen, that in itself is grounds for termination.
How do you “try out” for over seas ball?
Read the entire Guides & Tips page. Then read it again!
Can you show 5 on 5 pick up game’s in the gym to agents, rather it’s a coach or ref on the floor or Not?
You can do anything you want if that’s what you have.
Does having duel citizenship help with getting an overseas contract? If so how much? Have you ever seen this happen?
“Help” is relative. If you can’t play it doesn’t matter where you’re a citizen so I’d tell any player to focus on that.
i am a player from the Bahamas about to go play college basketball in the United States and would like to play in a foreign league when i am finish. Can you be of some assistance with me finding a team.
My son played at three different colleges. And wanting to tryout for over seas haven’t played in a couple of years still work out and body in shape with all 3 colleges they were scholarships only thing is that he just turned 26 a month ago
I have no high school college experience at all how can i make it oversea im currently playing semi pro basketball any advice
Read the entire Guides & Tips page on this website. And sign up for my email updates to know about what I have coming next for players looking to get their foot in the door.
Dre ALL DAY… my little brother put me on…anyway….
do you know any basketball players that played rugby?
Happy to have you here. No, I don’t know any.
Hey Dre I received an email from coach Giannis chrysanthopolous from Greece asking me to come tryout for their team and all I have to pay is a $ 195 registration fee. Do you think this is legit?
No it’s not. I wrote about this on my Guides & Tips page.
Thank you i know what i have to do now!!!
Hey Dre i have a quick question for you! I love this game called basketball and would do anything to be able to play!! Heres my problem im currently in the military now and i have a contract for six years and i was thinking to myself if i wait to finish those six years would i be to old to play overseas or D-league???
Shawn, it’s not my place to say what’s possible for you — only you can answer that. I’m sure the DLeague will still exist, but whether you can make it is something you must ask yourself.
Im 21 graduated in 2011, feel like im good enough to play overseas, dont know how to get there…?
Read this website – Guides & Tips page. Good luck
I have a question Im still in college going on my second year but can I still go overseas and play basketball and is there a possibility that I can go to the NBA. I really want to make it to the NBA
How would I be able to tell you that? You should be telling me what’s possible for you.
I’m still in high school good basketball player but honestly I think I wanna play overseas then in NBA can I just go pro in euro league right out of high school?
Like what Brandon Jennings did
He only went overseas because NBA rules prevented him from entering the draft. You good enough to be drafted right now? Do you have Brandon Jennings’ talent?
Yea the speed and aggression and I can shoot but it’s like yea I wanna be in NBA but if things don’t work then I really wanna play overseas it will be a new experience
If you were, you wouldn’t need to ask me how to do it. But see the Guides & Tips page on this site and good luck. If you have that talent you won’t need much help. I’ll look out for your name.
Alright man thanks I just wanna make pro you know NBA or overseas as long as I’m playing basketball overseas sounds better to me but thanks man tips about overseas really help out
Probably not. Rare a HS player is good enough for that.
Yea like I still got some improvements and all but like I just feel like it’s best for me to go pro overseas
You don’t need to play for a euroleauge team right away. most teams play in a continental league ( the euroleauge being the top continental league) and one or two leagues that are for teams in one country or a few neighboring countries). for example, BC Donetsk plays in the Eurocup, the VTBUnited league and the Ukrainian Super Leauge. while there are many teams in the vtb united league that have not qualified the play in the euroleauge but will still pay you and give scouts from the NBA a chance to see you. If these teams win there league than they next year they also play in one of the three euro competitions (euroleuage eurocup and than some other one) the euroleauge being the highest. Teams that start out in only a domestic league or in a low continental competition and a domestic league might be easier to get on since there talent level would be a little lower.
Alright thanks for the tip that helped a lot as long as I’m playing professional basketball but overseas is probably where I’ll end up playing basketball which I don’t mind only thing different is that it’s professional basketball overseas haha
Hey Dre thank you for this website it has been very helpful. Quick question is it to late for me to even try to play overseas I am 24 6’3 I played center in high school due to my ability to block shots. I did not have the chance to play in college due to my mother and father not doing so well with financials so i got a job to help them. I have been learning the guard position very well, i can still play defense up to my full potential your answer would be very appreciated thanks.
Terrance, you will have to answer your own question. You decide when it’s too late for anything in your life — I don’t decide that. My site provides all the info you would need should you decide to go for it, but as an adult you must decide what your actions will be.
Good luck!
I just watched your vid explaining your past experience with the whole fiba world. You answered all my questions lol, you probably helped out a lot d3 players. But where can I get that hoophandbook tho?
hey dre, my name is karlo and im moving to croatia this summer and am going to be trying out for a club, and the u16 national team. im wondering if they give out contracts to minors for this. would they at least pay me a little bonus if i won a game with the national team?
You’ll have to ask that club how that works. And you have to make the team first, so don’t worry about that.
My daughter was contacted by an agent and we are going to attend tryouts I Atlanta next month..what should we know/look for/expect
Read the Guides & Tips page.
just have a quick question i havent played any college basketball and played aau when i was younger recieved a couple looks from colleges but didnt go im 23 will be 24 im looking to get back into basketball and want to play pro how can i get in contact with teams overseas or get a tryout?
Read everything on the Guides & Tips page.
Dre, I am one of the best high school players in London but I’m having problems getting exposure to D1 College Coaches in America. Can you please offer any advice ?
If you’re one of the best then people know who you are — ask them to guide you or find someone who has done so. See my Guides & Tips page — I wrote about this very topic.
Also, good article! It was understandable and simplistic which is good for people who are not aware of many parts of pro sports.
How can I get on a team overseas? What steps do I need to take? I don’t have an agent or college experience.
good
Hello,
Thanks a lot for taking your time to publish articles like this.
I live in Australia, the sports system in general in Australia is favored for people of a medium-high economic ability. I don’t have that ability so I just play pick up games often but I want to take my game to the next level, I don’t just talk about it but whenever I’m free (study commitments take up a lot of my time) I play basketball. My life is literally studying, family and basketball. But I want to dedicate nearly all the time possible after school is finished to work on my basketball game. Studying in America is very expensive and the only way I can get into a university is through academics. I can get into a school in Europe through academics and I was wondering if you know if recruitment through university in Europe is a potential pathway and do you know any good basketball universities in Europe? Also, do you think this is a good way if it is possible?
Thank you very much
1. It’s your job to find out what is a possible pathway.
2. If I know of some, I don’t know you or your game thus could not recommend you to a school or vice-versa just off of talk. You’d need to show some proof of your ability (I have articles on this) to the people who could recruit you. This is also your job.
3. The depends 100% on if you can actually play. Which no one knows if you haven’t played anywhere.
Good luck!
Any recommendations on how to get a team Overseas to pay you back what they owe you on your contract?
Hire a lawyer. That would be the lest step though — try communicating with the team about the situation first; lawyer is the last resort because it likely burns any remaining bridge with the team.
Great article! I went to Villanova and I periodically check in on some of the Euro careers of our past players. I notice they all, regardless of how talented they are, seem to change teams every year. I’ve seen it with non- Villanova alumni as well. If you look at their profiles, they may have played for 10 teams in 10 years in 8-10 countries (Italy, Greece, Turkey, Russia, etc.). Can you explain why American players move around so much and are not with a team for a long period of time?
Also- I’ve heard stories in the past of players being pelted with coins while playing in Cyprus. I don’t know if that’s a wives tale, or if it’s true. Can you speak to the best countries to play in, and ones to avoid?
Teams, and players especially, find better (paying, playing, family-related) opportunities. Teams may want a different player who the team feels can better help them win.
I’ve heard about the thrown objects at games also, and it is true — but it’s happened in many places at times and could happen anywhere just like you could, for example, be in a car accident. You wouldn’t stop driving though. There are no countries to avoid; that would be like me pointing out a crime that happened in some American city then using that as a reason to never go there. There wouldn’t be any places left to go.
Besides, any athlete concerned over the “something happening” possibility — on or off the court — probably doesn’t fly halfway across the world for a job in the first place.
Whats the oldest you can play basketball for women’s overseas the min and the medium the youngest and oldest
Professional sports don’t have age limits, they have skill limits. You can’t control your age, only your game — I’d suggest you focus on that instead.
Why would a player (who doesn’t get much publicity in his current GLeague – let’s just say owners aren’t dumb or blind to off court behavior. IMO they promote good team players who are also good people) be traded overseas (or take a position over seas) mid season?
1. The G-League and overseas don’t trade players; your question is based on faulty assumption. This article you’ve commented on can help you understand the business.
2. I’ll define “promotion” as making news of something or someone who may or may not be good; a record company may spend a lot of money to get a mediocre song played on the radio a lot, for example. That’s promotion. This G-League “promotion” of players you mention does not exist. They show stats and highlights of good performances, just as the NBA does. Neither league “promotes” players outside of the above definition.
3. Publicity is what the spectators see; value to a team is what matters for a player’s playing career, not social media followers. This value is determined by team personnel, who don’t share their thoughts about potential roster moves with the public. No fan watching the games has any insight into these conversations.
4. Why an individual player would leave the GL to go overseas would depend on several factors, which you can read about in this article.
I’ve heard about some NBA players, such as Frank Ntilikina, making it onto a Euroleague team at the age of 15. How does that work?
Talent is how that works.
😂😂😂😂. The answer😂. Simple and clear.
how do you get to the euro league
Hey dre, if you sign a contract with a team and they are not treating you right for example no heat in your apartment i the winter and poor meals. can you leave and find another team?
Basic needs like what you mentioned are provided for in your contract.
But for something else, like not liking the coach or hating the city you’re in etc, you must have an official contract release.
Every pro team honors each other’s contracts. For example, you couldn’t just leave the Chicago Bulls and go play for the GS Warriors if you’re still signed to the Bulls.
All pro teams work the same way and respect each other’s agreements under FIBA (organization who organizes the Olympics, World Championships etc; NBA included). And if the Bulls don’t want to release you from the contract you signed they don’t have to.
Bottom line: your contract + your negotiation skills (or that of your agent) determine what you can or can’t do once signed.
Are European teams compensated for players that get drafted into the NBA?
Depends on the individual contract the player has.
Dre, ive read through the articles and i would like to ask what your best recommendation is for my future, as of right now through finance problems trying to go play at a JuCo, i have to sit a year out of any schooling, my buddy i train with everyday just landed an overseas contract from an exposure camp, he wants me to try a camp myself. Would it be smarter to go through my 4 years of college ball first or if i have what it takes just go straight for it? please answer from a basketball perspective as i know its more of a personal question.
An exposure camp does not disqualify you from college eligibility; signing a contract (or being compensated in any way) does. You can go to a camp and still return to college if you don’t get a contract.
there is an organization called strsljen sports management and consulting and they offer a 120 day garunteed pro contract offer or tryout or camp invite. for $350 i get them to put me in front of teams. is this a real thing? i’ve talked to some players and they said they went through it.
Then why are you asking if some players already confirmed it? And you don’t know me — you wont ever know until you take some action.
Hello Brother Dre how’s it going? Appreciate your article and God bless you for your informative
help. Does race play a factor in pursuing the chance to enter the NBA as an Asian American? Will me or anyone of Asian descent face any issues similar to Jeremy Lin? Lastly, wanted to know if a potential candidate for an NBA team/franchise will be turned down due to his age being 30 plus? Thanks again for your time.
Thank you for the comment! I’m assuming you are asking because you’re Asian — you’re stuck being Asian, so this question has no relevance. Either you will go for it or you wont. Coming up with reasons to worry or creating mental roadblocks for yourself is a waste of your resources.
As for the age Q, playing pro basketball is a job: Anyone can be turned down, for any reason. And they don’t have to tell you why. So this Q also isn’t necessary as you can’t go backwards in age.
You are who you are.
See http://DreAllDay.com/toolate
Yo man…I’m 40…we kinda were kinda working our hoop dream around the same time. (late 90s..early 00s).
When I saw your hyperlink mentioning “John Jordan”….I LITERALLY laughed out loud. Talk about a BLAST FROM THE PAST! Hilarious…he almost got me too.
Haha, yeah he was working hard back then
So if someone has no college experience been out of high school for 4+ years do they have a chance at any overseas or d league team?
You’ll have to ask that someone. Only that person knows what their chances are. Read all the articles here to help that person out.
I played in Taiwan although it was only 4 games, I didn’t play in high school or college just put the work in. Trying out for a canada team this fall !
Do I need to be a citizen of that country eg Spain. To have a shot at playing in 1.(their basketball league) and 2.(the Euroleague) considering I have the skill to pay for both.
Read this page again.
Dre,
I played NCAA D2 and D1 ball (my school reclassified from D2 to D1 after my redshirt sophomore year) on a full scholarship. I was 2nd Team All Independent my junior year. I didn’t have a lot of money after college so I got a job instead of pursuing my dream to play professional basketball. I graduated and am now 27 but I am confident I have the size and skill set to make a teams roster overseas. I read your article about your tips to pursue a career overseas and I completely agree with it. I have all my games on film from my senior year and even a highlight dvd from my senior year. My question is, will teams overseas hold it against me that I haven’t played professionally anywhere for the past 4 years after graduating? Or are they more interested if I can still play? If they are just looking for someone that can bring value to their team, would you suggest to reach out to an agent and send them my film? Thanks.
I think any player considering playing pro sports needs to make these decisions himself and take action. You’re asking “what would happen if…” Qs which don’t even matter since we will never know from simply talking about it – how about you do it and find out?
Can’t disagree with you there either. Thanks for the response.
Dre,
I came across a “Pro Placement Program” put on by Europe Basketball Academy in Barcelona and was wondering if you had any insight if they are legit or not? They have a nice website and it seems legit but it’s larger financial investment as compared to a two day exposure camp here in the states. I’ve reached out to former participants of the program on Facebook and haven’t heard anything back. I was just wondering if you knew or heard anything about Europe Basketball Academy? https://www.europebasketballacademy.com/program/pro-placement-program/
I don’t know anything about them. As with any opportunity like this – camps, tryouts etc. – you must make a judgement call and see what happens!
Hi Dre,
Do you know if euroleague teams are using analytics to evaluate players? Obviously the revolution has been big in the NBA and I was curious as to whether it had spread to Europe.
If you look up “analytics,” it means ‘systematic evaluation of stats.’ That’s always been around.
If you actually mean “advanced stats.” such as what you can see on ESPN.com and such, you can easily google that and find out for the area you’re asking, since Europe is composed of multiple countries and leagues, and is not just one country with one league.
thx a lot bro,i found it.
hy Dre,how many international players are allowed to play in a full squad of one euro league team.
Depends on their rules – you can Google that
I got sent an offer sheet to play over seas last month and I signed and sent it in. Yet I have not heard anything back from the team since. What do you suppose that means? Are they no longer interested or doesn’t it just take a long time for the process
Too vague for me to say; only they know what the deal is. You should contact them and find out.
Why does it seem like almost every overseas player switches teams after 1 year? Hoping to play in the NBA?
Because contracts are usually one season or less. Not because of the NBA, though that may be the goal of many players.
how many games is there in a season?
Depends on the league. There are hundreds of leagues.
Can Indians play professional basketball leagues in Europe and what is the correct way and eligibility to start.
Read the entire Help page. DreAllDay.com/Help
I honestly have no clue where to get started. I got my GED instead of a high school diploma and planning to take off with my basketball career and I don’t know who to talk to to get my career started and or how to get it started. Will you give me done advice?
Read the Guides & Tips page on this website under “Pro Basketball”
I wonder what your take is on coaches looking to coach in Europe. I’ve contacted quite a few agents but almost all only work with players. I’m heading over to Germany in a few weeks to meet with a couple of former European players I know and also to see if I can work some camps, but there must be a better way. Thank you.
My advice would be to gain some experience – so your going to Europe is a great way to start. Volunteer to help some teams in any way, train some players, make yourself known.
If a player overseas terminate their contract due to non payment & the other team is not letting them out of the contract, what can be done ?
Technically it depends on the contract terms, BUT – payment is usually part of the contract. So if payment does not happen, that in itself is grounds for termination.
How do you “try out” for over seas ball?
Read the entire Guides & Tips page. Then read it again!
Can you show 5 on 5 pick up game’s in the gym to agents, rather it’s a coach or ref on the floor or Not?
You can do anything you want if that’s what you have.
Does having duel citizenship help with getting an overseas contract? If so how much? Have you ever seen this happen?
“Help” is relative. If you can’t play it doesn’t matter where you’re a citizen so I’d tell any player to focus on that.
i am a player from the Bahamas about to go play college basketball in the United States and would like to play in a foreign league when i am finish. Can you be of some assistance with me finding a team.
I cannot. You are 100% responsible for your own employment. I covered how you can help yourself here: https://www.dreallday.com/Blueprint
My son played at three different colleges. And wanting to tryout for over seas haven’t played in a couple of years still work out and body in shape with all 3 colleges they were scholarships only thing is that he just turned 26 a month ago
https://dreallday.com/basketball/guides-tips/europrobasket-an-overseas-basketball-academy/
I have no high school college experience at all how can i make it oversea im currently playing semi pro basketball any advice
Read the entire Guides & Tips page on this website. And sign up for my email updates to know about what I have coming next for players looking to get their foot in the door.
Dre ALL DAY… my little brother put me on…anyway….
do you know any basketball players that played rugby?
Happy to have you here. No, I don’t know any.
Hey Dre I received an email from coach Giannis chrysanthopolous from Greece asking me to come tryout for their team and all I have to pay is a $ 195 registration fee. Do you think this is legit?
No it’s not. I wrote about this on my Guides & Tips page.
Thank you i know what i have to do now!!!
Hey Dre i have a quick question for you! I love this game called basketball and would do anything to be able to play!! Heres my problem im currently in the military now and i have a contract for six years and i was thinking to myself if i wait to finish those six years would i be to old to play overseas or D-league???
Shawn, it’s not my place to say what’s possible for you — only you can answer that. I’m sure the DLeague will still exist, but whether you can make it is something you must ask yourself.
Im 21 graduated in 2011, feel like im good enough to play overseas, dont know how to get there…?
Read this website – Guides & Tips page. Good luck
I have a question Im still in college going on my second year but can I still go overseas and play basketball and is there a possibility that I can go to the NBA. I really want to make it to the NBA
How would I be able to tell you that? You should be telling me what’s possible for you.
I’m still in high school good basketball player but honestly I think I wanna play overseas then in NBA can I just go pro in euro league right out of high school?
Like what Brandon Jennings did
He only went overseas because NBA rules prevented him from entering the draft. You good enough to be drafted right now? Do you have Brandon Jennings’ talent?
https://dreallday.com/2014/05/18/im-in-high-school-how-can-i-go-overseas-without-college/
Yea the speed and aggression and I can shoot but it’s like yea I wanna be in NBA but if things don’t work then I really wanna play overseas it will be a new experience
If you were, you wouldn’t need to ask me how to do it. But see the Guides & Tips page on this site and good luck. If you have that talent you won’t need much help. I’ll look out for your name.
Alright man thanks I just wanna make pro you know NBA or overseas as long as I’m playing basketball overseas sounds better to me but thanks man tips about overseas really help out
Probably not. Rare a HS player is good enough for that.
Yea like I still got some improvements and all but like I just feel like it’s best for me to go pro overseas
You don’t need to play for a euroleauge team right away. most teams play in a continental league ( the euroleauge being the top continental league) and one or two leagues that are for teams in one country or a few neighboring countries). for example, BC Donetsk plays in the Eurocup, the VTBUnited league and the Ukrainian Super Leauge. while there are many teams in the vtb united league that have not qualified the play in the euroleauge but will still pay you and give scouts from the NBA a chance to see you. If these teams win there league than they next year they also play in one of the three euro competitions (euroleuage eurocup and than some other one) the euroleauge being the highest. Teams that start out in only a domestic league or in a low continental competition and a domestic league might be easier to get on since there talent level would be a little lower.
Alright thanks for the tip that helped a lot as long as I’m playing professional basketball but overseas is probably where I’ll end up playing basketball which I don’t mind only thing different is that it’s professional basketball overseas haha
Hey Dre thank you for this website it has been very helpful. Quick question is it to late for me to even try to play overseas I am 24 6’3 I played center in high school due to my ability to block shots. I did not have the chance to play in college due to my mother and father not doing so well with financials so i got a job to help them. I have been learning the guard position very well, i can still play defense up to my full potential your answer would be very appreciated thanks.
Terrance, you will have to answer your own question. You decide when it’s too late for anything in your life — I don’t decide that. My site provides all the info you would need should you decide to go for it, but as an adult you must decide what your actions will be.
Good luck!
I just watched your vid explaining your past experience with the whole fiba world. You answered all my questions lol, you probably helped out a lot d3 players. But where can I get that hoophandbook tho?
Glad to hear that. Go to http://www.HoopHandbook.com
hey dre, my name is karlo and im moving to croatia this summer and am going to be trying out for a club, and the u16 national team. im wondering if they give out contracts to minors for this. would they at least pay me a little bonus if i won a game with the national team?
You’ll have to ask that club how that works. And you have to make the team first, so don’t worry about that.
My daughter was contacted by an agent and we are going to attend tryouts I Atlanta next month..what should we know/look for/expect
Read the Guides & Tips page.
just have a quick question i havent played any college basketball and played aau when i was younger recieved a couple looks from colleges but didnt go im 23 will be 24 im looking to get back into basketball and want to play pro how can i get in contact with teams overseas or get a tryout?
Read everything on the Guides & Tips page.
Dre, I am one of the best high school players in London but I’m having problems getting exposure to D1 College Coaches in America. Can you please offer any advice ?
If you’re one of the best then people know who you are — ask them to guide you or find someone who has done so. See my Guides & Tips page — I wrote about this very topic.
Also, good article! It was understandable and simplistic which is good for people who are not aware of many parts of pro sports.
How can I get on a team overseas? What steps do I need to take? I don’t have an agent or college experience.
Read everything: https://dreallday.com/basketball/guides-tips/
Good luck