Joshua Galyon
Andrew Fleming is the founder of Pro Performance Basketball in Nashville and an affiliate broker with Compass Real Estate Greenhills, representing residential clients since 2024. Drawing on a playing career that included three state championships at Ensworth High School, time at Oak Hill Academy, and collegiate competition at the University of Iowa and Lipscomb University, he works as a player development coach for athletes at multiple levels. Fleming has supported college players such as Skyy Clark, Malik Dia, Rodney Chatman, and Isa Silva, and he has trained professionals who have played overseas and in the NBA, including Dwayne Bacon, Skal Labissiere, Mac McClung, Perrin Buford, and Daniel Giddens. His coaching focuses on competitive workouts, individualized development plans, and guidance for players and families navigating recruitment. That perspective informs the discussion below on what athletes can gain from playing basketball internationally.
Benefits of Playing Basketball Internationally
Playing basketball on an overseas team offers professional basketball players several advantages. The experience can lead to a well-paying salary.
Various factors determine an overseas basketball player’s salary, which generally ranges from $30,000 to over $3 million. Factors that influence a player’s salary include the team budget and financial stability, the league strength, and the cost of living. Player-influenced factors that contribute to salary are the duration of the player’s contract, incentives to join the team, a player’s nationality and import status, and a player’s skill level and experience. Additionally, a player could make a living wage while doing something he enjoys. Further, a player’s salary may be tax-free, depending on the country where the league is based.
Travel is another perk of playing on an overseas team in Europe, Asia, and other regions. In Europe, players can compete on teams in Spain, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, and Lithuania. Asian countries with basketball leagues include China, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea. Other regions that have strong international leagues include Australia, South America, and the Middle East. Many of these places are sought-after destinations that let players visit different locations while being paid to play. An added perk of playing overseas is that the sheer number of international leagues opens up many more opportunities to earn a spot on a team than playing in the American leagues alone.
Next, playing overseas allows players to visit the country’s landmarks and nearby destinations. Players can reach many locations in two to three hours by rail or air, enabling those with wanderlust to pay far less than they would have if they had traveled from the United States. For instance, in 2025, a round-trip ticket from Manchester, England, to Paris, France, is around $58.
Moreover, playing overseas fosters lifelong friendships across cultures. These friendships encourage learning about other cultures around the world. Professional basketball players on foreign teams often receive treatment similar to that of NBA players in America, with fans approaching them to sign autographs and take pictures, providing additional opportunities to meet people.
Often, players do not have to worry about paying for housing, since the team usually covers the cost. Further, the team also pays for round-trip travel from the US to the country.
The game itself and fan interaction offer benefits not seen in the US. Athletes who play basketball overseas are exposed to diverse playing styles, which can improve their skills and make them more versatile players. In general, international basketball games are characterized by ball and player movement, with shooting, backdoor cuts, screens, picks, and pick-and-roll techniques prevalent, unlike the isolation game in American basketball. Fandom on the international stage is epic, with fans passionate about their teams. It is not uncommon for police dressed in riot gear to deal with unruly fans, or worse, fights. Even so, the passion for the game feeds the momentum of play.
Of course, playing overseas has some caveats, especially if there is a language barrier or divergent cultural norms. However, these disadvantages do not outweigh the numerous perks of playing a sport on an overseas team, including the opportunity to make lifelong, meaningful, and valuable connections.
About Andrew Fleming
A pro performance development coach and founder of Pro Performance Basketball, he pairs playing experience from Ensworth High School, Oak Hill Academy, the University of Iowa, and Lipscomb University with hands-on training for athletes. As an affiliate broker with Compass Real Estate Greenhills since 2024, he also works with residential clients. His player development work has included college and professional athletes and more than 300 youth players, as well as clinics, camps, and mentoring around the recruitment process.
