Overseas Ballers

 Overseas Ballers

Written by Ray, Edited by Josh.

Over the last decade, there has been a steady increase in the value of overseas talent and experience. You often see an international prospect taken in the first round of the NBA draft that the average fan has never heard of. And yet, these NBA draft stock evaluations place these 19-year-old international players ahead of many high-level American prospects. The success of these international players over the last decade is a testament to the alternative route of going to college for a “One and Done year”. 

Some examples of successful international players over the last decade are Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Kristas Porzingis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. These are some of the biggest names in basketball at the moment. These athletes played for professional European basketball teams before moving to the NBA. They were playing at the highest level possible in their respective countries before the age of 19. This age of 19 is relevant because it is a requirement by the NBA for prospects in each draft having to be at least 19 years old, and one year removed from high school. 

These International stars have had the chance to make money before being drafted in the NBA to support their families. This may be life-changing in certain instances like the last two MVPs of the NBA having been international players, in Nikola Jokic (2020-2021) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019-2020). The international route has been more prevalent over the past decade, enticing some American-born players to play their year after high school overseas. The most famous example of this was when Lamelo Ball decided to play basketball in Lithuania. He was able to go overseas and play against professional European basketball players, and get paid to do it. He was then drafted third overall in the draft, even with the decision to not go the conventional route that the average American basketball player would go.

Lamelo Ball

The level of play in international basketball leagues was always a concern for the average fan when evaluating international prospects. The last decade has broken the notion that the college route is the only option for young American players looking for the highest level of play. More often than not, the average fan believed that the American players held much higher draft value simply based on the fact that they played college ball instead of being in an overseas league.  These international players are actually often more advanced in their transition into the NBA’s style because of the experience possessed by their year(s) overseas. 

Take the Houston Rockets’ most recent draft class for example. The Houston Rockets drafted 4 19-year-olds that had different routes to the NBA. Their first pick, Jalen Green, went with the new G-League route. Their second pick, Alpheren Sengun, played basketball through the Turkish basketball system. Their third pick, Usman Garuba, played basketball through the Spanish basketball league. And their fourth pick, Josh Christopher, played basketball at Arizona State University. The Rockets decided to take 4 19-year-olds that took the 3 most common routes available for draft prospects. The four athletes will be immediately evaluated on how well prepared they are as rookies, and more often than not, the overseas players transition the quickest to the NBA systems. It is not often you see an NBA team get 4 first-round picks, and use them to take players with 3 distinctly different paths to the draft. 

There are three main career routes to an NBA draft that prospects usually take. The first was graduating from High School and attending one year of college before declaring for the NBA draft. This is the most common route for high-profile players in the United States. The main route for international players is to play basketball in an academy until they are ready to play at the professional level in their country. This evaluation is not set by an age requirement, they can play professional basketball when a team feels that they are good enough to play for their team. This is a value I believe that the NBA should adopt, if an athlete out of Highschool wants to forgo college in his dreams to play in the NBA, then the NBA teams should be allowed to draft the player if they feel he is good enough to be drafted. The third route established is the alternative to forgoing college at this current point and playing in the NBA’s G-League. This professional setting allows players to get professional experience, and get paid without being drafted or going to college. It is an alternative, but is not a solution to the prominent issue at hand that is the “one and done route”.

Wright, Michael C. “LaMelo Ball Says He Was 'Born' to Be Overall No. 1 Pick.” NBA.com, NBA.com, 18 Nov. 2020, https://www.nba.com/news/lamelo-ball-says-he-was-born-to-be-overall-no-1-pick.

Psuarez. “Rockets Acquire Four Players in 2021 NBA Draft.” Houston Rockets, NBA.com/Rockets, 26 Aug. 2021, https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-acquire-four-players-2021-nba-draft.