In the past before excepting basketball jobs overseas I would try my best to make contact of former players from the team that is interested in me. Why? Every contract on surface sounds nice and dandy but sometimes their could be issues with the club or timing of payments. Depending on my circumstances it is always wise to do a fair amount of research of any team or club who has offered you a contract. When I came out of school there was no Facebook, only email and honestly not EVERYONE had an email account.

So, contacting people by phone was the only way to find out the scoop. However, now players have it A LOT easier. With social website gatherings such as Facebook, Myspace and Linkedin. You can honestly make your life so much easier and avoid losing time and patience by signing with a team that could give you headaches later.

How does it work? Easy!

First imagine this .. If I received an offer to play in Europe for FC Barcelona first I would head to their website. Look at the roster for the current season and a season once before. Search for players from your country, in my case I would search for an American player then copy their name in a text editor. Do that for any player that you can communicate with in your language.

Next, I would start with Facebook because you can confirm visually the player. If you search a player in Google.com and most likely they will be listed by Eurobasket.com, which gives “free” the players image. However, the complete profile at Eurobasket.com is a paid subscription. But starting that route is best.

Next, go ahead and fire up your Facebook account and do a search. Note, many top/famous players may not be listed. Some leagues forbid players from adding their personal accounts for security reasons and privacy obviously. Some players may even go by different names. But don’t worry not all leagues or players are restricted. Do a search for the name and confirm the picture or similarities of which you did in your Google Search.

Now, for the final step I wouldn’t recommend adding the person as a friend on Facebook.com. For respect in general I would simply write a private message stating who you are, why you are contacting and if they have time to help answer your questions. In the first message I would not write anything long but simply if they have time to answer a few questions about their former club.

If they respond great, if not – move onto the next and repeat. Don’t expect an answer from everyone. Social networks such as these many people don’t have time to answer and write back. Especially when it comes to strangers. However, they are some players that would be happy to help.

So, good luck!

I’m sure you that you have lots of basketball highlight videos on your hard drive or maybe on DVD. I know recently after purchasing my Macbook pro I decided to make use of cloud services such as Dropbox.com to upload and back up my media files. I don’t serve any important documents on cloud websites but video and images for sure. Even though most computers come with sufficient amounts of hard drive space, but overtime it gets clogged..

I suggested to my family the same. I use Dropbox specifically because with their service you get 2GB free and it can be syncronized with my computer and iPhone. For me on the go its great so I recommend that you guys check out Dropbox!

I get questions daily from players asking how to play basketball overseas. Even with all of the resources from sites like Basketball Overseas, Basketball Connect and Basketball Agencies, some players are still confused.

If you are ready to play overseas then my friend Augie Johnston who is currently playing pro basketball in Germany will specifically show you exactly how to become a professional basketball player. Augie’s course gives you some downright sneaky tricks to give you direct contact with teams and agents that 90% of players do not know.  These are the exact same techniques that players have used in the past to land jobs playing professional basketball internationally.

The organized 7-Step video course is good and I’ve checked it out personally before recommending it to you.

Check out the preview below

Good luck and tell my friend Augie that I sent ya!
Visit the website

I recommend everyone to take notes on this video and try to follow what Damon Brown did.

Check it out!

Well during the fall and winter overseas I’ve seen so many problems financially with teams that bothered me deeply. Some top clubs have folded like CSKA Women’s Basketball club which was one of the best teams in the Euroleague. Some professional basketball players have had to retreat back home due to financial problems with clubs who promise “this and that” and before they know it, their over their budget. Personally, I don’t understand how any club can began a season without the proper funds. If you don’t have it, don’t count on having money until you see the money. In this economy, a written promise or even verbally don’t stand for squat..

I’ve had a friend in Spain who played three months and was only paid for the first month and that was not until the beginning of December. How could this be? Sure, there is another understanding that sponsors make promises and verbally commit and at times they back out. So, as a club I wouldn’t count on that unless I’ve been given money. Also, many teams in Europe count on the local city/government for financial backing but with some systems, they can decide when they pay the clubs. This of course effects the timing of when you can play your team.

However, there is no excuse because no team shouldn’t be prepared and budgeted in the beginning for the players and team that they wish. I’m so sick of tired of seeing it but during last year I saw effects with teams folding and now this year it is even worse. So, if you want to play basketball overseas and you’ve heard horror stories of not being paid, honestly its true and even more during the trying times of the economy.

If you’re coming out of college now, weigh your options and what is most secure for you. Dreams still come true but I think it has to be analyzed a lot more in 2010!

Good Luck!

Download it Basketball-Overseas-Guide!

Before I headed to play basketball overseas in 1999, I had some college teammates and friends from outside the US playing at the same school. They were always faced with the same issue as most foreigners that come to live, work or study in the states for a temporary amount of time: Green Card & Visas. Well, it is an issue that each individual depending on their country’s relation to the USA;  if they were entitled or rewarded enough time to complete their time in the university.

Even after of some talk with players who actually expressed their excitement to possibly live permanently in the states, they also found it very difficult. This was in college, so you can imagine in the professional atmosphere such as the NBA or WNBA for that matter. There are so many foreign players in the NBA and WNBA that it cannot be unnoticed.  An American Visa is not easy to  obtain and those who do have one, either:  have good country ties with the USA; very good luck in the lottery; or use a very good immigration service system..

Foreigners basketball players from all over the world such as Australia, Europe, Asia, South America all have the same problems. Professional basketball players may at times have it easy if they are well paid, known and have a company to represent their circumstances to the USA government in hope of approval. If that does not work, most people do marry to bypass the waits of proper long process.

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I’ve been working hard on getting the newest season Pro Team Contacts 2009/10. Basketball teams overseas address, logo, telephone, address, fax and website information available.

It should be complete by the end of the week.

Current Country Contacts Updated:

• Brazil Men
• Austria Men & Women
• Italy Men & Women
• Germany Men & Women
• Ireland Men & Women
• England
• France Pro A
• Spain Women
• England Men & Women
• Switzerland Men & Women
• Germany Men & Women
• Finland Men & Women
• Netherlands Men
• Sweden Men & Women
• Ukraine Men & Women
• Portugal Men
• Norway Women & (Men soon)
• Greece Men
• Poland Men & Women
• Serbia Men & Women
• Turkey Women

Basketball overseas contacts to be completed: Norway Men, Portugal Women, Spain Men, ACB Spain, Slovania Men, Russia Men & Women, Latvia Men & Women, Scotland, Czech Republic, NBA, WNBA, Australian Leagues and more!!!

Hi Sylita my first question is their an age limit in order to play overseas and if so what might that age be.

In Europe and Overseas the leagues are different and honestly depending on the level there isn’t much restriction on age. Basketball clubs in Europe are very different from the structure in the USA. They have leagues based on age, similar to AAU basketball and if you’re a good player no matter the age limit pretty much you can play in a top level team. Ricky Rubio of Spain played in the ACB Spain which is equivalent to the NBA in the USA (for Spain) and he started when he was 16. Now this year he’ll be drafted pretty sure in the first round.

Why is it so difficult to get responses from agents and/or coaches for try-outs?

Well I think its common, for agents many are picky and are looking for players who have a “name” or those who have proven themselves as a professional player already. Now with so many players it can be difficult but not impossible. But in the Spring and Summer agents and clubs are busy building on the new season and new teams aren’t finalized, budgets etc. Best time to contact agents honestly is during the winter season and right before Spring!

i am M.A  I in exercise physiology and nutrition . i want to study and work about basketball nutrition and physiology , please show me how can i start and be success.tnx

Please visit After Basketball where the website explains how to start your own business has a basketball nutritionist or trainer.

I am 5′8″  2-3 guard currently playing Division 2 basketball. When I graduate, I want to play overseas basketball, is it going to be harder for me since I am shorter and more of a shooting guard then point guard?

It will be harder mostly because a lot European teams are looking for big power forwards and centers. If you’re a shorter guard, you have to really stand out and be exceptional. Or start in a lower level league and work your way up! But it’s not impossible

How do i get in touch with a agent?

I honestly think the best approach is by telephone. The internet is great to find Basketball Agents and agencies but to get a real clear response, calling is favorable and being prepared and organized of course. Have your profile ready to be sent by any means possible: Email, fax or regular snail mail.