Over the years, there are more
and more American basketball players looking for opportunities
overseas. There are only about 450 guaranteed spots in the NBA,
plus a few two-way spots per team. If one can’t crack an NBA
roster, players often turn to playing abroad or in the NBA
G-League.

For many players, going overseas
is a sensible choice. There are many leagues to choose from,
including the EuroLeague in Europe, NBL in Australia and Chinese
Basketball Association in China. 

Some Americans have found solace
in the East Asia Super League – a rapidly growing tournament that
is considered to be the “champions league” of East Asian
basketball. 

Jameel Warney, who plays for the
Seoul SK Knights, has found success in Korea. After playing four
years at Stony Brook and going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft,
Warney established himself as one of the best American imports of
all-time in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). Ever since arriving
in Korea in 2019, the 6-foot-8 forward/center has amassed three MVP
awards, three All-KBL teams and a KBL title.

Although Warney was not able to
find NBA success, he has been thriving in Korea. Warney recently
opened up about some of the differences between playing overseas
and back home in the USA.

“Well, it’s a lot different,”
Warney said to BasketballNews. “There’s a lot of spacing in
American play, but even here [Korea] and in Europe, it’s kind of
team-based [basketball]. You can clog the paint up in this side of
the world and there’s a lot of great shooting here, especially
their big men… It’s a lot of different stuff between these two
things [like America and Korea], but I mean I enjoy both of them a
lot and I love being here for the last five years.”

Jamil Wilson, who played for
Oregon and Marquette from 2009 to 2014 but went undrafted in the
NBA, echoed Warney’s statements.

“It’s just completely two
different styles of basketball,” Wilson said. “You get that
everywhere you go. When I played here [in the Philippines], there
was a different style of basketball played in Korea, where I am
now. When I played in Europe, whether be it in Italy, Israel,
Russia or anywhere like that in the past, it’s just a different
experience depending on where you are and how they play. Some
countries like to play up-tempo, and some like to be really
tactical with sets and things. So it just kinda depends on where
you are and with the organization and the coaching staff as
well.”

Wilson has had stints in a lot
of leagues in Europe before landing with the Korean side Anyang
Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters this year. Wilson says he has enjoyed
the journey of playing overseas thus far.

“I enjoy everything. Everywhere
you go, it’s a unique experience – culture and basketball itself –
so I’ve been enjoying my journey abroad and Korea’s no different,”
Wilson said.

In choosing the place where they
want to go and play next, however, Wilson shared a rather unique
yet wholesome moment that he considers for himself and his
career.

“All of my decisions revolve
around my son and spending time with him,” Wilson said. “So
whatever is time-flexible and allows me to spend the most time with
him, that’s probably what I’ll do or where I go.”

For Warney, it’s all about the
fans and the people in the organization. He mentioned the
relationships he’s built over the past few years he has been with
the team.

“The people, obviously,” Warney
said to BasketballNews when asked about considering where to play.
“I’ve been with the same people for like the last five years. My
head coach, he was the assistant for my first two years, but now
he’s the head coach and we have a great relationship. I’ve been
with (teammate) Yang Ming for five years and my translator also. So
a lot of guys I’m familiar with over the past couple of
years.”

Warney adds that he considers
his long-time teammates and coaches as family: “I think other people like being with different
teams, it’s like a one-year pitstop or maybe two then they go to a
different team. [But] it’s not like a business to me, I guess it’s
more of like a family/personal basis for me.”

For DJ Stephens, he’s drawn to
certain leagues and teams with a solid fanbase. After a lengthy
career in Europe, Stephens is now with the Chiba Jets in Japan and
he appreciates the love that the Japanese fans show each and every
game.

“Some of the best fans I’ve ever
played for,” Stephens told BasketballNews. “They are real
supportive in every game that we have and the arenas are sold out.
Our fans buy merchandise with our names on it. You see towels being
waved with players’ names on it. The fans are really loyal and
supportive, so that’s a big thing for a basketball player, to have
a lot of support.”

Some players spend several years
in the NBA and experience some success, but then transition to
overseas basketball (like the EASL) as they get older. Austin Daye,
who won an NBA championship in 2014, can attest to this His main
reason for coming to Asia to play basketball is to enjoy the game
before he hangs it up and create memories with his
teammates.

“The decision to come here was
pretty simple – I played with the same team last year. The drive of
the coaching staff and the players, I know that they’re looking to
get to a championship. And as you get older, it’s not so much about
numbers and things like that. It’s more about just having fun and
trying to enjoy time as your career winds down – which mine is,”
Daye said. 

Daye values winning more than
anything, and he’d be fine putting up lesser stats if he has an
opportunity to win at this stage of his career.

“Winding down and winning is
something I would rather do than wind down just getting numbers and
losing. So I chose to come here for this year because I want to try
and win a championship,” Daye said. “And next year, who knows? The
same factors apply to me – just try to win, have a great time with
teammates, and try to enjoy the experiences overseas.”