Tyson Wheeler (photo. URI)Doing some research over the weekend, I came across a database for pro teams in Italy operating under the FIBA umbrella. Some names on the rosters you might recognize:
* Danya Abrams (Boston College)
* William Avery (Duke)
* Thomas Gardner (Missouri)
* Vincent Grier (Minnesota)
* A.J. Guyton (Indiana)
* Junior Harrington (Denver Nuggets)
* Ivan Harris (Ohio State)
* Otis Hill (Syracuse)
* Chris Hill (Michigan State)
* Edmund Saunders (UConn)
* Amara Sy (Nike Battlegrounds 1-on-1 champion)
* Tyson Wheeler (Rhode Island)
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May 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
T Ton says:
Having played in Europe for a short time myself you’d be surprised at some of the guys playing over there that were huge college stars. Why not though? If you can continue your playing days, have someone pay you and experience a different part of the world go for it.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
T Ton says:
BTW check out the roster for CSKA-Moscow. Top ballers usually play in Italy, Spain, France and Greece.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Austin Burton says:
From what I’ve been told, the teams in Russia pay good money, but the drawback is you actually have to live in Russia.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Celts Fan says:
haha good one Austin, though Moscow probably doesn’t count as terrible since it’s such an international and large city (and the pictures make it seem like something out of a movie. that place looks really cool and completely different from anything remotely American.) CSKA Moscow won the European Title last year, right?
T Ton, where’d you play? Were you somewhere really nice or did you get caught up in a craphole? I read Paul Shirley’s book and ever since I’ve been really fascinated with that kind of stuff.
For anyone that hasn’t read that, it’s called “Can I Keep My Jersey” and is all about Paul Shirley’s travels around the world (and briefly getting 10 days in the NBA.) It’s a great behind the scenes book about what these guys that bounce around Europe go through to keep chasing the dream. It was really funny and interesting. Anyone that cares enough about basketball to post on this board would enjoy it…
May 6th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Austin Burton says:
CSKA Moscow did win the Euroleague title this year, and last summer Team Russia won the FIBA EuroBasket ‘chip (Olympic qualifier).
May 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Jim says:
Moscow is also the most expensive city in the world, so it has that going for it.
My cousin was in the Ukraine and hated it, he couldn’t wait to get out, money or not.
But the (very few) people I’ve heard from who played in Southern Europe love it.
May 6th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
BustJlaze says:
ummm…nope, don’t recognize none of those names. LOL
May 7th, 2008 at 8:15 am
MSkittle says:
And don’t forget Jamel Thomas! The famed “Pink Sweater Poet.”
In his poem to Stephon Marbury, he said: “You want to give up millions in the NBA so you can come replace me in Italy? After you came to visit me? My little cousin, are you kidding me?”
May 7th, 2008 at 8:39 am
VQ says:
Yall need to recognize Mike Wallace playing in the French League. Dude is a sick power forward who got range as well. Played at Southwest Missouri in the late 90’s early 2000’s. Put up 24 and 15 on Kansas when they have Collison, Hinrich, and Gooden.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
doc says:
Fuck Mike Wallace and the rest of these bums.Willie Green and Calvin Booth would be all stars over there.