Sean McCaw, former professional player and CEO of SJM Consulting, shared insights on the Fullcourt Podcast with Ric Bucher and Bostjan Nachbar about his experiences in Europe and helping players navigate professional careers abroad.
Reflecting on European basketball, he explained: “Overseas basketball is in vogue now. Now players want to play abroad. It is a viable way to continue their career at many different levels.”
McCaw highlighted common misconceptions among American players, saying, “The EuroLeague is like the top 1% of all American players that are allowed to play abroad… I would say probably about 80% of the players that come overseas make less than 5,000 a month.”
On adjusting to life and playing abroad, he emphasized, “The most important thing they have to learn, in my opinion, is that they have to be able to adapt. If they think everything is going to be the way it was in the United States, then they are in the wrong place. They are not going to make it.”
Discussing the opportunities across Europe, McCaw said: “For most players the aim should be to get into a team playing at some level of the European Cup. Of course, the better you play, the better your chances are of moving up.”
He also offered advice on evaluating teams, noting, “It really depends on the team… you have to rely on other people to give you that information. Reach out to players who have been there and ask them questions.”
On the idea of the NBA establishing itself in Europe, McCaw said: “I think the markets are two completely different ones, but I think there’s enough room for both to coexist. It just has to be very structured so that the NBA doesn’t take away from grassroots basketball in Europe.”
Reflecting on European coaching, he explained: “There is more teaching than the actual playing material… there is certainly not that culture of highlights and immersing people… coaches will check you on that here.”
McCaw described how his personal journey shaped his career abroad: “I broke my leg two months after I came abroad. That changed my whole mindset… I knew pretty early on that I was going to stay abroad and not go back.”
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