SPAIN

  Respected as one of the best leagues in the world, the ACB in Spain plays high level basketball featuring well-known clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Tau Ceramica.  The ACB is extremely professional and pays accordingly. Basketball is a very popular sport in Spain and the basketball culture is outstanding.  The second division (LEB1) also is a good league.  NBA level Americans often play in the ACB while high level pros compete in the LEB1.  Both leagues allow 3 American import players.

 

ITALY

One of the best countries in the world to play professional basketball, Italy features 2 high level leagues with Serie A being legitimately big time.  Benetton Treviso, Climamio Bologna, Montepaschi Siena and Armani Jeans Milano are currently top teams in the first league.  Allowing 3 American imports, Italy is a desired desitnation for elite pro players searching six figure salaries.  NBA level pros are recruited to Serie A clubs.  Even Lega Due, the high level second division, is a place for a quality career.  Many boarderline NBA players from NBA summer leagues or USBL will land in Lega Due as they make their name in Europe.  As a side note, Benetton Treviso hosts the famous "Treviso Summer League" in late June marking the pro basketball summer calender in Europe.

 

GREECE

 

Another mediterranian country with feverish love for basketball is Greece.  Often attracting top level players with large contract offers, Greece features excellent competition and a beautiful country.  However, pro basketball horror stories are a familiar issue with the Greek leagues.  Too often players leave Greece with only part of their payment or a small sum of a large agreed salary.  While top clubs are honorable, a handful of losing teams usually create the problems for players.  On the floor, Greek teams AEK Athens, Aris Thessoloniki and Olympiakos are traditionally strong.