Playing overseas can be an exciting experience while it lasts but at the end of the season, it will be time for you to go back home. When that time comes, it’s important to make sure that you are leaving on good terms and leaving everything in order. Here are some things that a player should do before leaving their team overseas:
- Give the car back in the same condition received: If you were given a car by the team to use during your stay, make sure to return it in the same condition that you received it. Clean the car and make sure that everything is in working order.
- Leave the apartment clean: If you were provided with an apartment during your stay, make sure to clean it thoroughly before leaving. This includes dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces. Also, make sure to dispose of any trash or unwanted items. Maybe you will return to that apartment, but even if not, you would not want the next player coming into an apartment that was a mess.
- Take pictures of both the car and the apartment as proof: It’s always a good idea to take pictures of the car and the apartment before leaving. This will serve as proof that you left everything in good condition. If there is anything broken, keep a list for yourself and also take pictures of it.
- It’s also important to remember not to take anything that you were not authorized to take. This includes any team clothing, equipment, or uniforms that were not intended for you to keep. Returning everything that belongs to the team is essential to maintain a positive relationship and reputation. Make sure to double-check with the team management to ensure you’re not taking anything that wasn’t meant to be taken. You do not want problems with your Letter of Clearance because you tried to keep your game shorts.
- Settle any outstanding bills: Make sure that you have paid all of your bills before leaving. This includes utility bills, rent, and any other expenses that you may have incurred during your stay. This is usually not a problem for most foreign players since the teams usually pay for your apartment and such expenses, but if you made yourself a cell phone contract or something like that, make sure you have the bills taken care of since you never know if you will ever return to the country.
- Provide your contact information: Make sure to provide your contact information to your teammates and coaches so that they can keep in touch with you. This is an underrated statement but I know of players that just left and the team wanted them to come back but could not reach the player.
It is important to leave on good terms because the basketball world is very small and you never know what happens even if you plan not to go back to that team ever again. Sometimes things happen much differently than we imagine.