Amount Of Americans Looking To Be Playing Basketball Overseas
Probably one of the better-known reasons…
Assuming that ¼ of players on each college roster are seniors, there can be as many as 8000 collegiate players graduating each year (including Juco) looking to get a professional contract every year.
Of course, not every graduate wants to pursue a professional basketball career – some Juco players will translate into college players to complete their final two years of collegiate eligibility, so the number is likely to be less.
In short – ‘hella’ ballers tryna hoop professionally.
Even if you count hooping domestically in the US minor leagues (D-league, ABA, CBA, PBL etc.) there still isn’t enough roster spots to take care of everyone.
In comes the playing basketball overseas option…
Although this creates more opportunities, restrictions somewhat limit the extent to which the opportunities can be realised.
Leagues are usually regulated in terms of how many import players each team can sign, some even have additional rules which state that X amount of Americans can be on the floor at any one time. Finally, some leagues have the first two rules AND protectionist rules – meaning that a minimum amount of domestic players need to be on the roster and/or on the court for a minimum amount of time.
All of these regulations undoubtedly will influence just how open the opportunity window for import players is. Teams are aware of this and make their decisions in a very strategic and calculated manner (who they sign and who they do not).
Next we will be talking about the other aspect of the overseas basketball market which as a result impacts the basketball opportunities abroad. The foreign country’s economy
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Next: The Foreign country’s economy
Previous: Overseas Basketball: Why It’s Hard For Americans…
