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A Growing Trend? Or Just A Trickle?

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 19, 2008

NBA superstars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant recently said they would consider offers from international teams, if the price was right.

Josh Childress, formerly of the Atlanta Hawks, and Carlos Arroyo, formerly of the Orlando Magic, already have signed million-dollar contracts to play overseas.

High School stars also are making the jump to play international ball. Brandon Jennings, a 2008 McDonald's All-American, was considered to be the top point guard in the nation. Because he did not qualify to play at Arizona, he signed with a professional team in Italy.

Over the years, the number of international players signing to play in the NBA has increased the game's popularity worldwide, with Yao Ming (China), Tony Parker (France) and Pau Gasol (Spain) becoming franchise athletes.

Because international teams are becoming more talented, Fernando Rojas, who coaches the Mexico Santos, a professional men's team in Mexico, and the Tampa Sharks, a semi-pro organization, said we might one day see a pro basketball world league.

"I think that's coming," Rojas said. "Not if, but when. It's not going to happen right now, but when players like LeBron or Kobe say they are considering the offers on the table, the infrastructure is shaken up a little bit. The game itself is becoming closer and closer. International rules will look like NBA rules. Look at the growth of the Chinese economy. European contracts are getting close to NBA minimum wage."

Former University of Tampa guard Mark Borders plays under Rojas in Mexico. Rojas said Borders was the highest paid point guard in Mexico in 2007. This year, he is the second-highest paid player.

"The top players in Mexico make from $80,000-$100,000 per season, which is only six months," Rojas said. "Twenty-five percent of players make that money. Contracts are based on service, unlike the NBA, which are guaranteed."

Rojas said international basketball has always been a place where former American high school and college players could continue successful careers if the NBA was unavailable. When he created the Sharks in 2005, Rojas, a former pro player in Mexico, wanted to help U.S. players get scouted by international teams by touring the world. Last year, the Sharks played in Mexico and Argentina.

"This started years ago when Division I players went overseas," Rojas said. "Part of it is the globalization of the game. Many leagues around the country are feeling those effects. The number of players that come out of college every year, the majority go overseas. In the NBA, they only take a small number."

Haywood Workman, who spent time in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers and played in Israel, now operates the Tampa Bay Pro-Am League. Workman said playing with an international team has its benefits.

"There are no salary caps overseas," he said. "You don't have to pay for an apartment, car or taxes. Clothes, food and gas are all you pay for. If you're not hung up on making the NBA, go overseas. If that guy is a top high school player and can't get into college, he's going."

Most of the players who participate in the Pro-Am League are hoping to sign international contracts.

"The Pro-Am is geared for guys who have to go that route," Workman said. "Guys trying to become agents find these players and deal them to international teams. It's training ground for players and agents. You learn through trial and error. You can make close to $1 million overseas. You may have some diamond in the rough making 15 grand a month."

Still, Workman doesn't think the number of NBA players and high school players signing with international teams will lead to the downfall of the NBA.

"I don't think it'll be a real problem," Workman said. "There aren't that many teams that can pay that type of money overseas. You'll have typically four Americans on every team. Because of dual citizenship, teams can't pay that type of money. It's just a phase.

"The NBA is not losing because it's the NBA. It's the best product and it's the best competition and they're paying the best money."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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