Declaring Early for NBA draft: Good Idea or Bad Idea?
NBA G League contract (2019): $35,000/year
NBA 10-day contracts (2018): for rookies, $46,000; for 1-year veterans, $74,000; for 2+ year veterans, $83,000.
Average overseas contract (2019): $65,000/year for Top European leagues; $100,000/year for former NBA players who can draw bigger crowds because of their fame.
Most countries have multiple professional leagues, but only the pay for top leagues in each country have contracts averaging around $65,000/year (contracts aren't necessarily guaranteed). Only big stars like former NBA players tend to average $100,000/year or more.
Given all of that, here are the pro careers of Iowa basketball players under Fran McCaffery currently still playing in either the NBA G League and/or in overseas pro leagues; no former Iowa players are currently playing in the NBA. Please note how much these guys bounce around from league to league over their short careers. It’s an amazing thing to have these experiences, traveling to different countries in many cases, and all while they are in their 20s which is a prime time to live like that. But as far as financial stability goes, there isn’t much. The bottom line is that unless you are a surefire first-round NBA draft choice, it’s a damn good idea to get a college degree before declaring early for the NBA. If a guy can finish his degree in three years and wants to go pro, it’s not a bad idea at all (it’s also a fine idea to stay in college until one’s eligibility is used up). If a guy leaves early without getting his degree first? That’s a bad move.
This list is long, but that’s because there is so much bouncing around from team to team, league to league, often year after year. The travel is great, but the financial unpredictability has to be tough. I mean, they’re in their 20s so it’s not that big of a deal, but anyone who is thinking these guys are getting rich playing pro basketball is just flat out wrong. Get your degree and then if you want to play professionally somewhere (and don’t mind the constant unpredictability of contracts, travel, and income) go for it while you’re in your 20s.
Melsahn Basabe
2014–15 Helsinki Seagulls
2015–16 Antwerp Giants
2016–17 Doxa Lefkadas
2017 Lukoil Academic
2017 AZS Koszalin
2017–18 Cuore Napoli
2018 Helsinki Seagulls
2018–19 Hapoel Kfar Saba
2019–20 BKM Lučenec
…
Nicholas Baer
2019-20 NBA G League: Toronto Raptors
…
Anthony Clemmons
2016-17 BC Hallmann Vienna
2017-18 Astana Tigers
2018-19 Astana Tigers
2019-20 AS Monaco Basket
…
Tyler Cook
Jun 20 2019 undrafted in 2019 NBA Draft
Aug 12 2019 signed with Denver Nuggets
Oct 16 2019 Nuggets ended contract
Oct 18 2019 claimed by Cleveland Cavaliers
Jan 3 2020 signed with Cavaliers
Jan 3 2020 Cavaliers ended contract
Jan 6 2020 waived
Jan 8 2020 free agent
Jan 9 2020 signed with Cavaliers
Jan 9 2020 assigned to Canton Charge G League
Jan 11 2020 recalled to Cavaliers
Jan 19 2020 free agent
Jan 20 2020 signed with Cavaliers
Jan 20 2020 assigned to Canton Charge
Jan 20 2020 recalled to Cavaliers
Jan 28 2020 assigned to Canton Charge
Jan 29 2020 recalled to Cavaliers
Jan 30 2020 free agent
…
Peter Jok
2017-18 NA Suns G League
2018-19 NA Suns
2019-20 Cholet Basket
…
Devyn Marble
Jun 26 2014 selected by Nuggets in Round 2 of 2014 NBA Draft
Jun 27 2014 acquired by Orlando Magic
Jul 24 2014 signed contract with Magic
Dec 26 2014 assigned to Erie BayHawks G League
Jan 1 2015 recalled to Magic
Feb 2 2015 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Feb 7 2015 recalled to Magic
Feb 17 2015 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Feb 21 2015 recalled to Magic
Nov 30 2015 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Dec 23 2015 recalled to Magic
Jan 1 2016 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Jan 18 2016 recalled to Magic
Jul 15 2016 acquired by LA Clippers
Jul 15 2016 waived
Jul 17 2016 free agent
Aug 9 2019 signed with Warriors
Oct 5 2019 waived
Oct 8 2019 free agent
2016-17 Aris BC
2016-17 Dolomita Energia Trento
2016-17 Aris BC
2018-19 Dolomita Energia Trento
2019-20 Vitus Bologna
…
Jarrod Uthoff
NBA Transactions
Jun 23 2016 undrafted in 2016 NBA Draft
Jul 26 2016 signed with Raptors
Oct 22 2016 waived
Oct 24 2016 free agent
Mar 9 2017 signed with Mavericks
Mar 11 2017 assigned to Texas Legends G League
Mar 12 2017 recalled by Mavericks
Mar 19 2017 free agent
Mar 19 2017 signed with Mavericks
Mar 25 2017 assigned to Texas Legends
Mar 26 2017 recalled by Mavericks
Mar 29 2017 free agent
Mar 29 2017 signed with Mavericks
Jun 29 2017 acquired by Rockets
Jul 30 2017 waived
Aug 1 2017 free agent
Sep 25 2017 signed with Indiana Pacers
Oct 15 2017 waived
Oct 17 2017 free agent
Oct 16 2019 signed with Grizzlies
Oct 17 2019 waived
Oct 19 2019 free agent
2018-19 Zenit Saint Petersburg
2019-20 signed with Grizzlies
…
Aaron White
2015–16 Telekom Basket Bonn
2016–17 Zenit Saint Petersburg
2017–19 Žalgiris Kaunas
2019–20 Olimpia Milano
2020 Iberostar Tenerife
…
Adam Woodbury
Oct 30 2016 selected by Maine Red Claws in 2016 NBA Development Draft
Oct 30 2016 traded to Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Nov 10 2016 deactivated
Dec 27 2016 activated
Jan 3 2017 deactivated
Jan 6 2017 activated
Oct 21 2017 returned to Mad Ants
Nov 18 2017 waived
Nov 20 2017 claimed by Westchester Knicks
Oct 19 2018 returned to Westchester Knicks
Oct 19 2018 traded to Capital City Go-Go
Oct 20 2018 waived
Oct 24 2018 claimed by Westchester Knicks
Nov 1 2018 waived
Nov 19 2018 claimed by Stockton Kings
Nov 19 2018 deactivated
Nov 23 2018 activated
Dec 4 2018 waived
Dec 6 2018 claimed by Grand Rapids Drive
Dec 6 2018 deactivated
Dec 8 2018 activated
Nov 11 2019 returned to Grand Rapids Drive
…
Gabe Olaseni
2015-16 Giessen 46ers
2015-16 Brose Baskets Bamberg
2016-17 Banco di Sardegna Sassari
2016-17 Orleans Loiret Basket
2016-17 Banco di Sardegna Sassari
2017-18 Montakit Fuenlabrada
2018-19 s.Oliver Baskets
2019-20 Bursaspor
…
Aaron Fuller
2013-14 U.D. Oliveirense Cacarola
2014-15 Taranaki Mountain Airs
2015-16 Fuerza Regia
2016-17 Fuerza Regia
2016-17 NLEX Road Warriors
2016-17 Fuerza Regia
2017-18 Racing Lux
2017-18 NLEX Road Warriors
2018-19 Fuerza Regia
2018-19 Soles
2018-19 Blackwater Elite
2019-20 Fuerza Regia
NBA G League contract (2019): $35,000/year
NBA 10-day contracts (2018): for rookies, $46,000; for 1-year veterans, $74,000; for 2+ year veterans, $83,000.
Average overseas contract (2019): $65,000/year for Top European leagues; $100,000/year for former NBA players who can draw bigger crowds because of their fame.
Most countries have multiple professional leagues, but only the pay for top leagues in each country have contracts averaging around $65,000/year (contracts aren't necessarily guaranteed). Only big stars like former NBA players tend to average $100,000/year or more.
Given all of that, here are the pro careers of Iowa basketball players under Fran McCaffery currently still playing in either the NBA G League and/or in overseas pro leagues; no former Iowa players are currently playing in the NBA. Please note how much these guys bounce around from league to league over their short careers. It’s an amazing thing to have these experiences, traveling to different countries in many cases, and all while they are in their 20s which is a prime time to live like that. But as far as financial stability goes, there isn’t much. The bottom line is that unless you are a surefire first-round NBA draft choice, it’s a damn good idea to get a college degree before declaring early for the NBA. If a guy can finish his degree in three years and wants to go pro, it’s not a bad idea at all (it’s also a fine idea to stay in college until one’s eligibility is used up). If a guy leaves early without getting his degree first? That’s a bad move.
This list is long, but that’s because there is so much bouncing around from team to team, league to league, often year after year. The travel is great, but the financial unpredictability has to be tough. I mean, they’re in their 20s so it’s not that big of a deal, but anyone who is thinking these guys are getting rich playing pro basketball is just flat out wrong. Get your degree and then if you want to play professionally somewhere (and don’t mind the constant unpredictability of contracts, travel, and income) go for it while you’re in your 20s.
Melsahn Basabe
2014–15 Helsinki Seagulls
2015–16 Antwerp Giants
2016–17 Doxa Lefkadas
2017 Lukoil Academic
2017 AZS Koszalin
2017–18 Cuore Napoli
2018 Helsinki Seagulls
2018–19 Hapoel Kfar Saba
2019–20 BKM Lučenec
…
Nicholas Baer
2019-20 NBA G League: Toronto Raptors
…
Anthony Clemmons
2016-17 BC Hallmann Vienna
2017-18 Astana Tigers
2018-19 Astana Tigers
2019-20 AS Monaco Basket
…
Tyler Cook
Jun 20 2019 undrafted in 2019 NBA Draft
Aug 12 2019 signed with Denver Nuggets
Oct 16 2019 Nuggets ended contract
Oct 18 2019 claimed by Cleveland Cavaliers
Jan 3 2020 signed with Cavaliers
Jan 3 2020 Cavaliers ended contract
Jan 6 2020 waived
Jan 8 2020 free agent
Jan 9 2020 signed with Cavaliers
Jan 9 2020 assigned to Canton Charge G League
Jan 11 2020 recalled to Cavaliers
Jan 19 2020 free agent
Jan 20 2020 signed with Cavaliers
Jan 20 2020 assigned to Canton Charge
Jan 20 2020 recalled to Cavaliers
Jan 28 2020 assigned to Canton Charge
Jan 29 2020 recalled to Cavaliers
Jan 30 2020 free agent
…
Peter Jok
2017-18 NA Suns G League
2018-19 NA Suns
2019-20 Cholet Basket
…
Devyn Marble
Jun 26 2014 selected by Nuggets in Round 2 of 2014 NBA Draft
Jun 27 2014 acquired by Orlando Magic
Jul 24 2014 signed contract with Magic
Dec 26 2014 assigned to Erie BayHawks G League
Jan 1 2015 recalled to Magic
Feb 2 2015 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Feb 7 2015 recalled to Magic
Feb 17 2015 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Feb 21 2015 recalled to Magic
Nov 30 2015 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Dec 23 2015 recalled to Magic
Jan 1 2016 assigned to Erie BayHawks
Jan 18 2016 recalled to Magic
Jul 15 2016 acquired by LA Clippers
Jul 15 2016 waived
Jul 17 2016 free agent
Aug 9 2019 signed with Warriors
Oct 5 2019 waived
Oct 8 2019 free agent
2016-17 Aris BC
2016-17 Dolomita Energia Trento
2016-17 Aris BC
2018-19 Dolomita Energia Trento
2019-20 Vitus Bologna
…
Jarrod Uthoff
NBA Transactions
Jun 23 2016 undrafted in 2016 NBA Draft
Jul 26 2016 signed with Raptors
Oct 22 2016 waived
Oct 24 2016 free agent
Mar 9 2017 signed with Mavericks
Mar 11 2017 assigned to Texas Legends G League
Mar 12 2017 recalled by Mavericks
Mar 19 2017 free agent
Mar 19 2017 signed with Mavericks
Mar 25 2017 assigned to Texas Legends
Mar 26 2017 recalled by Mavericks
Mar 29 2017 free agent
Mar 29 2017 signed with Mavericks
Jun 29 2017 acquired by Rockets
Jul 30 2017 waived
Aug 1 2017 free agent
Sep 25 2017 signed with Indiana Pacers
Oct 15 2017 waived
Oct 17 2017 free agent
Oct 16 2019 signed with Grizzlies
Oct 17 2019 waived
Oct 19 2019 free agent
2018-19 Zenit Saint Petersburg
2019-20 signed with Grizzlies
…
Aaron White
2015–16 Telekom Basket Bonn
2016–17 Zenit Saint Petersburg
2017–19 Žalgiris Kaunas
2019–20 Olimpia Milano
2020 Iberostar Tenerife
…
Adam Woodbury
Oct 30 2016 selected by Maine Red Claws in 2016 NBA Development Draft
Oct 30 2016 traded to Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Nov 10 2016 deactivated
Dec 27 2016 activated
Jan 3 2017 deactivated
Jan 6 2017 activated
Oct 21 2017 returned to Mad Ants
Nov 18 2017 waived
Nov 20 2017 claimed by Westchester Knicks
Oct 19 2018 returned to Westchester Knicks
Oct 19 2018 traded to Capital City Go-Go
Oct 20 2018 waived
Oct 24 2018 claimed by Westchester Knicks
Nov 1 2018 waived
Nov 19 2018 claimed by Stockton Kings
Nov 19 2018 deactivated
Nov 23 2018 activated
Dec 4 2018 waived
Dec 6 2018 claimed by Grand Rapids Drive
Dec 6 2018 deactivated
Dec 8 2018 activated
Nov 11 2019 returned to Grand Rapids Drive
…
Gabe Olaseni
2015-16 Giessen 46ers
2015-16 Brose Baskets Bamberg
2016-17 Banco di Sardegna Sassari
2016-17 Orleans Loiret Basket
2016-17 Banco di Sardegna Sassari
2017-18 Montakit Fuenlabrada
2018-19 s.Oliver Baskets
2019-20 Bursaspor
…
Aaron Fuller
2013-14 U.D. Oliveirense Cacarola
2014-15 Taranaki Mountain Airs
2015-16 Fuerza Regia
2016-17 Fuerza Regia
2016-17 NLEX Road Warriors
2016-17 Fuerza Regia
2017-18 Racing Lux
2017-18 NLEX Road Warriors
2018-19 Fuerza Regia
2018-19 Soles
2018-19 Blackwater Elite
2019-20 Fuerza Regia
