Going Pro after NCAA: Practical Pieces of Advice - Doing the Right Thing
Players and Agents.
This topic will never be boring. The issue is always hot no matter how many years go by. My experience with agents was not perfect either. I just hope future players will have more luck with that!
As the story goes, I had played my last NCAA game in March of 1999 and found myself in rather unfamiliar situation - I was stormed by the phone calls and mail offers from perspective sport agents. How do you know who is the right guy for you? Here are the things that would help any basketball player in transition from U.S. college to Euro Pro Leagues based on my own experience.
Step 1. Find a Good Agent!
Easier said than done, right? It is a real life business, so do your homework. First, conduct a thorough research of the agents’ market and talk to your basketball related friends - coaches, players, supporters. Big-name agents might not be “big” for you; some agents have too many players to take care of - that means they would devote less attention to you and your personal matters. Maybe you need a “hungry” up-and-coming agent instead of an already established one?
Few questions to ask yourself - What is my agent NBA connections in case you play great in Europe, will he be able to help you with NBA? Who is he working in Europe with? Is that partner reliable? You will probably sign with an American agent so ask him how frequently he travels around the world to see his players? What is his history with players he had already placed in European teams? Get in touch with these guys and find out firsthand about their experiences.
Step 2. Self Education.
It would be really stupid to underestimate the power of the Internet and to rely only on the info provided by your agent. Therefore, search the European pro basketball leagues and become familiar with their limits for playing foreign players. Some leagues allow only 2 U.S.-born players per team (Spain), others are more open and permit having 6 to 8 American players within the roster (Belgium, Holland, Germany).
Rules might CHANGE every season depending on the country. Italian league LegaBasket has been searching for the right mix of Italian, American and other European-born players for the last decade, changing the regulations almost every season. It was funny at times to play in Italy - I would find myself in the starting five and look around the court before the jump-ball and realize that I am surrounded by 9 (!) American players.
I am originally from Belarus and even though it is an Eastern European country, I was counted as an American player according to Italian rules because Belarus is not a part of European Union... Just a few years ago that rule has finally changed.
Step 3. Check Your Ancestors (Not for your grandma' inheritance:)
Some U.S. - born players have found Italian, Spanish or Irish roots within their family and had a basis to receive a European passport which allowed them not to be counted as an American on a team roster. Advantages? a) more team opportunities throughout Europe, b) substantial increase in salary as you become that “special” and gifted American player that does not take a part of limited American spots available, c) chance to play for the National team of your ‘new’ country and, if you are lucky, qualify for Olympics, World or European Championship.
There are numerous examples when American players were able to get passports without finding their roots. Many European National team actually do offer passports and enjoy an American player helping the team to achieve success. Examples? J.R. Holden’s buzzer-beater had won a European Championship for Russia in 2007. New York native Omar Cook, who currently plays for Spanish Valencia, had helped Montenegro (former Yugoslavia) to qualify for the final part of EuroBasket 2011.
Players and Agents.
This topic will never be boring. The issue is always hot no matter how many years go by. My experience with agents was not perfect either. I just hope future players will have more luck with that!
As the story goes, I had played my last NCAA game in March of 1999 and found myself in rather unfamiliar situation - I was stormed by the phone calls and mail offers from perspective sport agents. How do you know who is the right guy for you? Here are the things that would help any basketball player in transition from U.S. college to Euro Pro Leagues based on my own experience.
Step 1. Find a Good Agent!
Easier said than done, right? It is a real life business, so do your homework. First, conduct a thorough research of the agents’ market and talk to your basketball related friends - coaches, players, supporters. Big-name agents might not be “big” for you; some agents have too many players to take care of - that means they would devote less attention to you and your personal matters. Maybe you need a “hungry” up-and-coming agent instead of an already established one?
Few questions to ask yourself - What is my agent NBA connections in case you play great in Europe, will he be able to help you with NBA? Who is he working in Europe with? Is that partner reliable? You will probably sign with an American agent so ask him how frequently he travels around the world to see his players? What is his history with players he had already placed in European teams? Get in touch with these guys and find out firsthand about their experiences.
Step 2. Self Education.
It would be really stupid to underestimate the power of the Internet and to rely only on the info provided by your agent. Therefore, search the European pro basketball leagues and become familiar with their limits for playing foreign players. Some leagues allow only 2 U.S.-born players per team (Spain), others are more open and permit having 6 to 8 American players within the roster (Belgium, Holland, Germany).
Rules might CHANGE every season depending on the country. Italian league LegaBasket has been searching for the right mix of Italian, American and other European-born players for the last decade, changing the regulations almost every season. It was funny at times to play in Italy - I would find myself in the starting five and look around the court before the jump-ball and realize that I am surrounded by 9 (!) American players.
I am originally from Belarus and even though it is an Eastern European country, I was counted as an American player according to Italian rules because Belarus is not a part of European Union... Just a few years ago that rule has finally changed.
Step 3. Check Your Ancestors (Not for your grandma' inheritance:)
Some U.S. - born players have found Italian, Spanish or Irish roots within their family and had a basis to receive a European passport which allowed them not to be counted as an American on a team roster. Advantages? a) more team opportunities throughout Europe, b) substantial increase in salary as you become that “special” and gifted American player that does not take a part of limited American spots available, c) chance to play for the National team of your ‘new’ country and, if you are lucky, qualify for Olympics, World or European Championship.
There are numerous examples when American players were able to get passports without finding their roots. Many European National team actually do offer passports and enjoy an American player helping the team to achieve success. Examples? J.R. Holden’s buzzer-beater had won a European Championship for Russia in 2007. New York native Omar Cook, who currently plays for Spanish Valencia, had helped Montenegro (former Yugoslavia) to qualify for the final part of EuroBasket 2011.
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