Guide · agents

How to get a basketball agent to play overseas

Most overseas contracts go through an agent. Clubs trust agents to filter players, and agents only sign players they think they can place. This guide covers what agents look for, how to reach them, and how to avoid the ones who'll waste your year.

Quick facts: in international transfers, clubs and players must not use an agent who isn't FIBA-licensed. The agent fee is capped at 10% of the player contract. Agent contracts must be in writing, last at most two years, and can be ended with 30 days' notice. A legit agent doesn't charge you upfront to find a club. How to check a license →

1. Understand what an agent is buying

An agent's income is a commission on contracts they place, so they sign players they think a club will pay for. Before you email anyone, be honest about the level you played at. Then look at which leagues sign players like you. An agent with clubs in a country's 3rd and 4th divisions is more useful to a D2 or NAIA grad than one who only works top leagues.

Production: verified stats from your last two seasons, with level and conference clearly stated.
Film: a 3–4 minute highlight reel plus two full, unedited games. Agents and coaches watch defense and decisions, not just makes.
Passport: a second nationality (especially an EU one) can turn you from an import into a domestic player and widen your market a lot. Check your family history before anything else.
Character and availability: references from coaches, and being ready to fly when a club calls.

2. Build a short list of agents who fit

Start with our agent directory and filter for agents and agencies that work the countries and levels you're targeting.
Ask your college coaches and alumni playing abroad who represented them, and whether they'd recommend them.
Look at where an agency's current clients play. Can you confirm those players on the clubs' or leagues' official sites?
Verify every name with the FIBA license check before you send film.

Aim for 10–20 well-matched agents, not 200. A targeted list gets more replies (that's our editorial estimate, not a measured rate).

3. Contact them the right way

Keep the first email short enough to read on a phone:

Subject: position, height, school or level, and graduation year.
Body: 3–4 sentences covering who you are, your key stats, your passport or passports, and when you're available.
Links: highlight reel, two full games and a one-page résumé PDF. Make sure the links open without a login.

Follow up once after about 10 days. Silence usually means no for now, not forever. Update agents when you have new film or a new stat line.

4. Vet before you sign

Ask every agent:

Are you FIBA-licensed, and under what name? (Then check it yourself.)
Which clubs have you placed players with in the last two seasons, at my level?
Which countries and leagues will you pitch me to?
What's your commission, and is it all in the written contract?
How often will I hear from you, and what happens if there's no deal by a set date?

Red flags: upfront "placement" or "marketing" fees, guaranteed contracts, pressure to sign the same day, no written contract, and an agent who can't name clubs they've placed players with. Many of the same warning signs apply to exposure camps. See Is this camp legit?

5. If no agent bites yet

That's common, especially out of D3, NAIA or JUCO. Options that can get you film and a stat line:

A credible exposure camp or combine where clubs and agents actually attend. Vet it first.
Lower divisions and small national leagues, some of which deal directly with players. Start with the Starter leagues view.
Contacting clubs directly through their official sites, in the club's language where you can.

One real season abroad makes the next agent conversation much easier.

FAQ

Do I need an agent to play basketball overseas?

For most professional contracts, effectively yes. Clubs usually recruit import players through agents they already work with, and in international transfers clubs and players must not use an agent who is not FIBA-licensed. Some lower-division and minor-league deals happen without one.

Should I pay an agent to represent me?

No upfront fee. Agents are normally paid a commission from the contract once you sign. Under FIBA rules the agent fee cannot exceed 10% of the player contract. Anyone charging you to "find a team" before a deal exists is a red flag.

How long does an agent contract last?

Under FIBA rules an agent-player contract must be in writing, can last no more than two years, and either side can end it with 30 days' notice.

When should I start contacting agents?

Most players reach out in the spring of their final college season, once film and stats are ready. Many European rosters fill over the summer, so waiting until August narrows your options (an estimate based on typical season calendars).