Is U.S. Basketball on the Decline?
What an Olympic finish for the U.S. men’s and women’s basketball teams! Gold! It is hard to argue that the American leagues are declining in talent, but we can agree that international basketball is becoming more and more competitive with the NBA & WNBA. Just ask the thousands of American players who have ever played abroad. While the U.S. leagues are still considered the best in the world overall, there are many indicators that international players represent a growing talent pool worldwide.
The NBA & WNBA continue to draft and invite more international players to play in their leagues.
U.S. colleges are increasingly recruiting international players to play in their athletic programs.
The NBA & WNBA are investing more capital into the development of leagues around the world.
There are more NBA, WNBA, and high-caliber American players who are exploring opportunities to play professional sports outside the U.S.
At the inaugural Athletes Abroad Summit held in Las Vegas during NBA Summer League, the American player panel discussed the stigma of going overseas to play basketball as being less competitive than the NBA & WNBA. The 2024 Olympics showed the world that the level of basketball being played in some of the top countries is elite! Here are a few characteristics of international basketball to be aware of:
The play is much more physical than that allowed in the U.S.
Some may argue that the basketball IQ is more advanced abroad while American players are more athletic.
International athletes generally have stronger fundamentals than American athletes.
International youth sports are more focused on skill development than the profit-centered amateur circuits in the U.S.
We hope you enjoyed a competitive 2024 Olympic basketball pool for men’s and women’s basketball! Put some respect on the names of the American players who ball abroad! You have to be special to excel on a global stage under a slightly different set of rules. Keep #BallinAbroad!
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