Europe is losing its young basketball talent to the United States, where they can pursue their dreams of playing in the NCAA and potentially earning lucrative salaries. The trend is particularly prevalent among players from top Spanish clubs, with many opting to leave their teams to attend universities in the US.
Kasparas Jakucionis, Egor Demin, and Ismaila Diagne are just a few examples of young players who will be making the move this summer. They will join a long list of players who have made the same decision, including Aday Mara, Jan Vide, Álvaro Folgueiras, and Conrad Martínez.
The ability to earn money through NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights has made the NCAA a more attractive option for many young players. Mara, for example, has earned between $600,000 and $1 million this season at UCLA, while Jakucionis is set to earn $750,000 gross at Illinois.
While some agents believe that many players are leaving Europe for economic reasons, others argue that the true draw is the opportunity to play in the NBA, which is a more lucrative and competitive league. The NCAA provides a platform for players to showcase their skills and gain exposure, which can ultimately lead to a career in the NBA.
The situation is causing concern among clubs in the ACB, with some feeling that the loss of talent is unfair and that teams are not being adequately rewarded for their investment in young players. Antonio Martin, the president of the ACB, believes that clubs should be given a better deal for the players they develop, and that organizations with a global scope should take a more active role in helping to retain talent.
The trend is not unique to Spain, with France also experiencing a brain drain of its young talent. The situation is seen as unstoppable unless incentives are given to keep players in Europe. As one agent summarized, “You have to adapt and change things so that the kids stay. It’s hard to compete against that.”
