Guide · where to play
Best countries to play basketball overseas
"Overseas" covers 315 leagues in 149 countries and multi-country competitions in our index. The best place for you depends on your level, your passport and whether you need a paycheck or a stat line first. Here's how the regions compare, using our league data.
Region by region
| Region | Leagues | Women's | Entry-friendly | Housing usually included | Median import range* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 128 | 33 | 43 | 83 | $16k–$63k (n=37) |
| Americas | 58 | 6 | 12 | 31 | $11k–$20k (n=17) |
| Asia | 47 | 9 | 1 | 22 | $45k–$180k (n=11) |
| Africa | 44 | 8 | 2 | 8 | $36k–$45k (n=3) |
| Oceania | 20 | 4 | 4 | 11 | $120k–$250k (n=1) |
| Middle East | 18 | 1 | 6 | 14 | $45k–$54k (n=9) |
*Median of the low and high ends of the per-season import salary ranges we list, in USD, for leagues with a range. n = number of leagues with salary data. Treat small samples as rough.
Europe: the most doors
Europe has 128 of our 315 leagues and 43 entry-friendly ones, more than any other region. Multi-division systems mean a D2, NAIA or overlooked D1 player can start in a 3rd or 4th division and climb. Import quotas are the catch: many leagues cap non-EU players, which is why a second passport matters so much here. Compare pay in the salary table.
The Americas: closest to home
58 leagues, 12 entry-friendly, and housing usually included in 31. Latin American and North American minor leagues often run short seasons, so they can fit around a European season or serve as a first stat line. Pay at this level is usually modest.
Asia, the Middle East and Oceania: higher pay, fewer spots
Asia (47 leagues), the Middle East (18) and Oceania (20) show higher median import ranges where we have data, but only 11 of these 85 leagues rate as entry-friendly. Clubs usually sign one to a few imports with pro résumés, so these are typically a second or third stop, not a first contract.
Africa: growing, thinly documented
We track 44 African leagues, but only 3 list a salary range we can cite. Opportunities exist, often through local contacts. Verify everything before you travel.
Most entry-friendly men's leagues in our index
- American Basketball Association (ABA, USA) (United States) · entry-friendliness 5/5
- The Basketball League (TBL, USA) (United States) · entry-friendliness 5/5
- Super League (Ireland) (Ireland) · entry-friendliness 5/5
- 2. Division herrer (Denmark, 3rd tier) (Denmark) · entry-friendliness 4/5
- Basketettan (Sweden, men, 3rd tier) (Sweden) · entry-friendliness 4/5
- Nationale 2 (Luxembourg, 2nd tier) (Luxembourg) · entry-friendliness 4/5
- Premier League of Belize (Belize) · entry-friendliness 4/5
- 1. Regionalliga (Germany, 4th tier) (Germany) · entry-friendliness 4/5
- Cyprus Division B (2nd tier) (Cyprus) · entry-friendliness 4/5
- Liga de Basket de Lima (Peru) (Peru) · entry-friendliness 4/5
See all of them in the Starter leagues view, or read where to get your first pro contract.
Choosing your country: a short checklist
- Be honest about your level. Match yourself to leagues that sign players like you, not the ones on TV.
- Check import rules. Each league's rules decide whether you count as an import.
- Read the whole package. Salary, housing, car, flights and the season length all matter.
- Get the right agent. Our agent directory lists 1,226 agents. Pick one who works your target countries, and read how to get an agent.
- Time it. Use the tryouts & camps calendar, and vet any camp before paying.
New to all of this? Start with the full guide to playing overseas after college.
FAQ
What is the best country to play basketball overseas?
There's no single best country. It depends on your level. In our index of 315 leagues, Europe has the most options (128 leagues, 43 rated entry-friendly), while Asia, the Middle East and Oceania tend to pay more at the top but have fewer import spots.
Which countries are easiest for a first overseas contract?
Lower divisions and smaller national leagues that sign imports directly. 68 of the 315 leagues we track score 4 or 5 out of 5 on our entry-friendliness estimate, most of them in Europe and the Americas. See the Starter leagues view for the full list.
Do overseas basketball clubs pay for housing?
Often, yes. Our editorial estimate is that housing is usually included in 169 of 315 leagues. Always confirm it in the written contract.
Can I play overseas without an agent?
Some lower-division and minor-league clubs sign players directly, but most professional import contracts go through a FIBA-licensed agent.