Overseas basketball tryouts are how most players without a professional record get seen by a European club. You will not sign a contract without a coach watching you play, and the players who come through are usually the ones already training in Europe when the chance arrives — not the ones flying in for a weekend.
The preparation matters more than the tryout itself. Training in the country you want to play in teaches you the local style of play, the rules and the pace before you are ever judged on them.
However, landing on the right program is tough when you must consider:
- The cost of overseas training: you may wonder if you can afford the fees and whether the investment is worth it
- The quality of the coaching: you may be unsure about the expertise and experience of the coaches in overseas programs.
- The opportunities you get access to: you may have doubts about the quality of competition and networking opportunities available in overseas programs.
EuroProBasket will help you clear these hurdles.
Over 400 players have signed professional contracts across 25+ countries after training with EuroProBasket since 2015, coached by professional staff in world-class facilities.
The program doesn’t finish on the court, either. We put you in touch with top universities and pro teams to start your path to stardom.
And it won’t break the bank.
Read on to find out why an EPB program will give you the tools to ace overseas basketball tryouts and start turning your basketball dream into a reality.
Looking for elite basketball coaching at low prices? Get in touch with EuroProBasket today to get the expert guidance you’ve been looking for.
Can you try out for overseas basketball?
If you’re dreaming of playing professional basketball, participating in tryouts is central to your chances of success. Without them, you won’t get into a team.
The United States of America may be home to the NBA, but the sky-high competition (and cost) for places means trying out for overseas basketball teams to start your career may be the smartest option.
Training in the country that’s hosting the tryout will give you the best chance of success should you do this.
If you’re planning to try out for a team in Germany, for example, training with a German coach or basketball academy will provide you with invaluable insights into the local style of play, rules, and culture. This will help you adapt more quickly and perform at your best during the tryout.
Here are some quick tips that you should bear in mind when preparing for overseas basketball tryouts.
How to try out for overseas basketball – and succeed.
- Choose the right program: Select a training program that matches your goals, and skill level, and knows how to get in shape for basketball.
- Focus on specific skills: Work on areas where you need to improve, such as ball handling, shooting, or defense.
- Learn the rules and culture: Familiarize yourself with the specific rules and cultural nuances of basketball in the country where you’re trying out.
- Network with coaches and players: Build relationships with coaches and players in the overseas basketball community.
- Stay updated: Follow news and updates about overseas basketball leagues such as the Euroleague or EuroBasket to see which tryouts they offer.
Ace overseas basketball tryouts with EPB’s 6 proven training programs
Set foot in Valencia, one of Spain’s sunniest and safest cities, and you’ll see why it’s the perfect setting for EuroProBasket’s elite training programs.
Imagine training with NBA-qualified coaches in our state-of-the-art facilities, competing against top-level talent from around the world, and then enjoying your downtime in Valencia, with its beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and rich culture.
Our programs are designed to help you achieve your full potential and make your mark on the international basketball scene.
Here’s the lowdown on our six programs.
1. European Summer League – The largest and longest-running summer league in Europe
Do you have high-level collegiate or professional experience?
Our European Summer League is your chance to show off your skills to top European teams and secure a professional contract.
As the largest and most diverse summer basketball league in Europe, we attract coaches, agents, and scouts from all over the continent who are there to find you.
Spend time with our professional coaches between games to hone your A-game and get expert insights into the nuances of European basketball. Find out about rules and tactics, as well as how agents and contracts work.
What you’ll get:
- European Summer League participation*
- At least four practice games (depending on the length of your stay)
- Game film from all games, posted on EPB’s YouTube channel
- Professional coaching from qualified FIBA experts
- Learn how to try out to play basketball overseas
- Exclusive access to basketball agents and scouts
- Introduction to the European game and how it works
- Education about the European basketball market, including agents and contracts
- Hotel stay (shared rooms) including breakfast
- Weight sessions*
- Game uniforms and warm-up shirts
*Not included in our one-week program
Take the final step to becoming a pro baller with our European Summer League program – your gateway to international basketball exposure.
2. Women’s Professional Program – A gateway to a First Division women’s team
If you’re a talented female basketball player, then the WNBA is the ultimate prize.
Our Women’s Professional Program is the ideal first step toward this, giving you a taste of what it’s like to come up against ace players and work with top coaches who will push you all the way.
We start pre-season in September, the busiest signing period in Europe, giving you maximum exposure to visiting scouts.
You’ll learn the rules, tactics, and culture of European basketball at the best facility in Europe, L’Alqueria del Basket, where you’ll get expert guidance and support.
What you’ll get:
Pre-Season (September or January for 3 Weeks), including:
- Intensive training and competitive games
- Expert coaching including basketball tryout drills
- Networking opportunities
- Hotel stay (shared rooms) including breakfast
- Game film from all games, posted on EPB’s YouTube channel
- Uniforms and warm-up shirt
- Introduction to the European game and how it works
- Education about the European basketball market, including agents and contracts
Give yourself the best chance of becoming the next Diana Taurasi by launching your professional basketball career in Europe. Our Women’s Professional Program will help you get there.
3. Euro Professional Program – The flagship route to a first professional contract
How has EuroProBasket helped so many people hit the big time?
Our Euro Professional Program holds the answers, serving as the launchpad into a full-time pro basketball career.
The reason it’s so successful is that we immerse you into the lifestyle of a professional athlete so that you adopt the mindset of one.
What you’ll get
- Intensive coaching including strategic drills, basketball shooting tips, and ball work from FIBA- and NBA-qualified coaches
- Practice games where you experience the pressure of competitive games and refine your performance under fire.
- Physical training including weight sessions in our on-site gym
- Personalized attention in the form of a tailored training plan for your specific goals.
- Networking opportunities to connect with key industry figures and build relationships that can propel your career forward.
You will train as part of a small group as our coaches pit you against other players and help you to learn from each other.
EuroProBasket founder and CEO Brad Kanis believes small groups lead to rapid improvement.
“Small groups give you other players to compete against. If there are fewer than five players, then the coach can still focus on you individually and afford you a little break between exercises”.
All of this channels into the same goal: to get you signed to a professional team or university in Europe and live your dream of playing pro basketball.
4. University Prep Program – Run by a former pro player with NCAA connections
Do you want to get college-ready, on and off the court?
Our University Prep Program is designed to prepare you for success in college basketball – and beyond.
Led by a former collegiate and pro player with extensive NCAA connections, this course will give you all the tools you need to make the leap, including:
- Intensive training, including two daily practices with experienced coaches.
- Competitive games against top-level opposition for you to test yourself in a big-game atmosphere
- Customized training and guidance to maximize your potential
- Networking events where you connect with college coaches and scouts.
- Academic support, including optional educational programs to prepare for university life.
- Shared hotel stays or student residence options.
- Personalized game uniforms and warm-up gear
- Tutorials on American and European basketball rules, systems, and tactics.
5. Junior Program – Access to one of Europe’s premier clubs and a Top 4 high school
Every pro knows that the younger you start shooting hoops the better – which is why our Junior Programs are perfect for young learners.
We make sure kids get the best possible basketball education by building the program on three important pillars:
- Training at L’Alqueria del Basket, Europe’s best training facility, with pro coaches
- Partnership with Valencia Basket: we tap into the resources and know-how of one of Spain’s best teams.
- Enrolment at the excellent Mas Camarena High School, one of the four best schools in the country
Our kids enjoy a life-changing basketball experience as they learn, train, and play in one of Europe’s sunniest and safest cities.
6. Elite Individual Training – One-on-one pro coaches for the price of amateurs
Personal trainers are the quickest route to upgrading your game as they offer you their undivided attention, but one question you may ask yourself is “How much does a personal basketball trainer cost?”
The answer is complex, but a general rule of thumb is around $150 (€134) per hour for a professional coach in the USA.
Spain has a lower cost of living, so pro coaches are much cheaper coming in at around $85 ( €76), but not all of these will have the right qualifications.
Fewer still will have coached in the NBA.
Now imagine how much a qualified coach with NBA experience will cost: surely it should be more?
Not the case with EuroProBasket, where you can get one-on-one NBA coaching experience for as little as $66 (€59.50) per hour.
This is what you’ll pay for a 10-session Elite Individual Training course with EPB.
How EPB’s individual coaching prices compare to the US and Spain
“We provide a professionally certified basketball coach whether the player is advanced or beginner,” says CEO Brad Kanis. “Two of our coaches, Tim Springer and Dave Love, are NBA/WNBA level trainers.
All sessions are with a professionally certified coach, and the L’Alqueria academy offers the most advanced basketball training facilities in Europe, including:
- 13 courts (nine indoor and four outdoor) spread over a 15,000 m² sports complex
- One central court with a 500-seat capacity
- Two weight rooms with basketball-specific equipment
- A full medical clinic with the latest physiotherapy recovery technology
- Classrooms and shooting machines
Ready to make your basketball dreams a reality?
You can get on the road to passing your overseas basketball tryouts with flying colors by taking a few seconds to enter a few basic details into our entry form. We’ll take care of the rest for you.
Ready to fast-track your game development at an affordable price? Contact EPB right now to find out how we can help you become the best basketball player you can be.
Common Questions About Overseas Basketball Tryouts
Do you need an agent to try out overseas?
Not to start. Agents representing players in international transfers must be FIBA-licensed, but a licence is not the same as contacts, and many first contracts come from a player being seen directly by a club. Our guide to basketball agents covers when an agent actually helps.
Do you need to have played college basketball to try out overseas?
No. College is a common route because it produces film, stats and a level reference, but European clubs sign on what a player can do now. Our guide to playing overseas basketball without college covers the players this applies to.
What does a first contract pay after a successful tryout?
Most Americans signing a first professional contract in Europe earn $6,000 to $22,000 net for the season, with an apartment and meals provided on top. The full breakdown by country is in our guide to overseas basketball salaries.
