People overestimate overseas salaries. Highest paid player in all of Europe makes about $5 million, and it's a name you'll recognize, from the NBA (Mirotic). $2 million gets you in the top 10 earners in Europe. For a new player with no NBA experience, he's probably looking at $100-150k starting out.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Euroleague teams aren't signing college players with no NBA experience. Those big salaries are all former NBA'ers or players that have proven themselves in European competition. He's not getting 7 figures straight out of college.If Kofi doesn't get a look from the NBA again this year...he will almost assuredly make 7 figures in the Euroleague, Spain, or Turkey.
There's only one scenario I can see him returning for a 4th season....and I don't even want to think about it, much less mention it.
The Top 10 EuroLeague salaries of 2021-22
Vasilje Micic enters the three million club and he is the only big winner of this summer marketwww.eurohoops.net
Overseas Basketball Players Salaries By Country - Love At First Fit
In recent years, playing overseas has become a more and more popular alternative to playing in the G League. By playing in overseas leagues, basketball players can potentially earn a ... Read morewww.loveatfirstfit.com
I hope he rides out of the AH this year underneath his jersey and a FF banner hanging from the rafters....on a giant black steed, wearing a crown embedded with Blue Sapphires and Spessartite Garnet gemstones, with his massive arms wrapped around gold and silver hardware...with a roar that shatters the windows in trailer parks across Iowa and Indiana.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Well, to be fair I really didn't say "straight out of college". I assume he will at least get a look in the G League/Summer League at worst....and a decent entry contract into one of those other leagues if that doesn't pan out.
He will eventually absolutely be making 7 figures somewhere. How's that?
Sure, but realistically not until he has at least a few years' pro experience under his belt, which doesn't really inform the question of whether he's better off financially next season with NIL or going pro
You are probably right, but Kofi is such a unique talent, its really hard to find a comparable player. Guys who put up his numbers at a power 5 NCAA school almost always play in the NBA. He is not American, so he won't be subject to any limits on American players that some leagues enforce. (not sure to what extent that happens these days, but that at least was a thing...) The guy is just remarkable to watch, so... who knows?
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
I guess it comes down to "immediately" better off vs. better off overall. I am too unfamiliar (as are most I suppose) with the ceiling/floor of NIL. Those articles I linked also don't really go into entry or rookie contracts. Maybe there's an example of a player near Kofi's NBA potential that left the G/Summer League to sign a Euroleague/Spanish contract.
Soulberries
- University of Illinois
International sudents here on student visas are not permitted to “work” off-campus without work authorization. Whether NIL is considered “work” or passive income is a gray area that USCIS has not addressed.
I've heard that Kofi has dual citizenship...Jamaican and American.
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Which makes it so much more frustrating we turn the ball over so much. Hopefully, that continues to improve throughout the year that will be our biggest Achilles weakness especially when we have a cold shooting night.
There is no American-specific restriction I'm aware of. Most leagues have either foreign player limits or non-EU player limits, which Kofi would be subject to whether he's an American or Jamaican citizen
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Think the critical thing here is length of time stayed. If covid hadn't happened, Ayo's likely gone after 2 years. That doesn't (necessarily) diminish his accomplishments in that time, but it doesn't provide the program and player stability of a 4- (or 5!) year starter like Dee or Trent. Getting guys that are very high-level college players but not good enough for the NBA, and have all those qualities you listed, is the sweet spot around which you can readily build sustained success.
The real question is the definition of "sustained success". With the size of the Illini fan base, it can have several meanings. Mine would be "in contention" for a B1G title in the last two weeks every year. However, at my age, winning a NC is the goal. You need an All-America "type" of player to achieve that level of success and the kind of roster this team has....deep with many scorers and all dedicated to defending. This team will be be hard to improve upon as far as an ideal roster is concerned. I don't like the "one and done" guys as there is no time to build their skillset and develop team play. Love the 3 year guys like Ayo and Kofi and would adamantly prefer that the league opt to the same criteria for eligibility as baseball.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Guessing it won't be us...
Michigan State
Shooting and roster construction are important to the game of basketball. Next.
Is JJ Taylor a lost cause since he went to LaLa Land, or is he still in the mix?
Guess I’m the only one that thinks we will regret this
Definitely a weird situation and the only situation I've seen in 8 years of following this board that we've cooled on a prospect rated so highly that seemingly wanted to come here. But I also trust the staff and understand the need for shooters. So I just hope we won't regret it because that regret would be front of mind if he's carving us up twice a year in the big ten
Yup this screams regret in a few years, but even if Fears is a great player, no reason to not trust the staff on grabbing better guards.
Certainly a bit scary. He seems to be a talent, so I’m sure he will have moments/games against the Illini when we wish he wasn’t playing for our opponent. But just have to put your faith in BU and staff as far as player assessment and knowing what skill sets and players fit the best in order to have continued success. In BU I trust.
Have no idea about how good or bad this rating source is, but thought I’d share. Obviously lots of names you’ll recognize including the current Illini signings Rodgers (#57), Epps (#89) and Harris (#102).
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