A word on Rookie Salaries in Europe (remember that $65,000 is the average among all divisions with the division breakdowns are above)....
http://www.globesportsmanagement.com/USA%20players%20in%20Europe.htm*
Salary for a rookie may be one half to two third of the average salary *
European pro teams tend to sign less and less import rookies ! * The level of bball in Europe is far higher than it used to be
* The « Bosman » rule now allows a wider choice of players
*
Teams now prefer to sign vet import players already accustomed to Europe and who can immediately fit into the team systems Example :
only one rookie (Kyle Hill from Eastern Illinois) in France's 1st division (32 imports)
only 2 (Georgia Tech / Wisconsin) in France's 2nd division (36 imports) * Same applies in many countries
* This means that unless you were in the NBA pre-draft lists or had tremendous reviews in a top NCAA D1 College, it will be difficult to start in a top pro league in Europe !
You will have to work your way up from either :
Some European countries where bball level is lower
A lower division of a « big » bball country (France, Italy .)
There, you will have to be very very good because top pro leagues coaches are generally « afraid » of recruiting a player coming from such leagues .
A vicious circle like we say in France .
