Let’s talk about something that very few people are saying out loud right now.
Something that I wish more European hoopers—and their families—would consider before chasing the U.S. college dream under the new NIL gold rush.
We all know the NCAA game has changed. NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals have transformed U.S. college basketball into a multi-million dollar marketplace—not just for American players, but for international talent too. I’ve written before about how this is affecting overseas domestic players—how it’s going to tighten roster spots back home, change the way GMs build teams, and shift the overall market.
But today I want to flip the coin. Because while everyone’s talking about the upside of NIL and going to the States…No one’s talking about what happens after.
Let’s Play Devil’s Advocate for a Second
Imagine this:
You’re 19, and you land a full scholarship at a D1 school. You’re talented, marketable, maybe even a fan favorite. A few NIL deals come your way—maybe $30K here, $50K there. Between free gear, flights, food, and some pocket cash, you’re living the dream!
Now fast-forward 4 years. Your college career ends. Maybe you didn’t make the NBA. Maybe you weren’t drafted. So you do what most internationals do—you come home to Europe and start your pro career. And that’s when the reality check hits: Your local pro team offers you $1,200/month. No car. Maybe a shared apartment or you might move back in with your parents. No sponsor deals. A long season for a short check.
You think to yourself: “Wait… I was making more in college. Why would I take this?”
Why This Gap Is Real—and Growing
Here’s the thing: European teams, especially domestic clubs in smaller markets, cannot compete with U.S. NIL money. They will have a very similar structure when you as they had before you left. They don’t have corporate donors or alumni boosters lining up to throw money at 23-year-olds returning from colleges across the ocean.
They’ve got tight budgets, limited sponsorships, and shrinking resources—especially post-COVID. They might love your game. Maybe you were even raised in that club. They might have followed your college career closely. But they simply cannot pay you like you were getting paid as a college kid in America.
And if you return home thinking you’re going to “pick up where you left off” financially—you’re going to be frustrated. Disappointed. Maybe even bitter.
So What Can You Do About It?
This blog isn’t about telling you not to go to the U.S. or chase NIL deals. I am all for it, not becasue of the earning potential, but for the experience of playing in college in America. It’s about being smart. Strategic. Realistic.
If you’re a European player heading to the U.S. college system under NIL, here’s what I want you to think about:
1. Understand the Long Game
NIL money is short-term. A professional career—if you play it right—is long-term. So enjoy the NIL blessings, but understand that directly after your senior season in college, those checks stop coming. Plan for what’s next. Save money. Build relationships. Keep perspective.
2. Stay Connected to the Overseas Market
Don’t isolate yourself from European basketball while you’re in the U.S. Stay visible. Keep ties with local agents, national team programs, and clubs. Because when your NCAA clock runs out, that’s where you’re headed.
3. Manage Your Ego
This is real talk: Coming home after making $100K in college and being offered $12K for a season is humbling. But your first pro contract is not your final destination. The same can be said for Import players when they first come overseas. Take the opportunity, build your resume, and earn your way to better deals.
4. Know Your Value—But Also the Market’s Reality
You might feel like a star. But the European team looking at you isn’t comparing you to your NCAA salary—they’re comparing you to other rookies, imports, and domestic players who may cost less. This is a business. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
I’ve worked with overseas players long enough to see what’s coming. The NIL era is a beautiful opportunity—but it’s also creating disillusioned rookies who expect NBA money in the Bundesliga, Pro B, or mid-tier leagues in Austria or Finland.
If you’re thinking about going to the U.S. to hoop—go for it. But don’t forget that home will still be home when you’re done. And when you come back, you need to be ready to start a new chapter. Be smart. Remain humble. Stay hungry.
And if you’re not sure how to make that transition—or how to turn college success into a real overseas career, that’s where I come in.
Because NIL might get you noticed. But smart planning will get you paid and respected in your pro career.
Let’s Talk…