Why Does Everyone Want To Get Rid Of Otule

[Hards Alumni]

That is an opinion not based in fact.

If you say so!

[Marqevans]

May depend on how much he can earn in Europe next year.

[Tugg Speedman]

May depend on how much he can earn in Europe next year.

I have a friend that owns/runs a pro-team in Europe (Switzerland).  It is not a top flight team like those in France and Spain but the next level below that.  They have made inquiries to MU players in the past (largely because I suggested it) and nothing came of it.

I mention this because I have some knowledge about the second tier European teams.  They pay ... $3,000/month and provide an apartment (typically a small two bedroom with another US player).  The average player lasts a little less than 2 seasons.

He tells me you can make $100,000 to $300,000/year with the top teams in Spain and France.  But very few of these teams have US players.  If a US player is worth that kind of money in Europe, they are more likely to stay in the NBDL as that path is clearer to the NBA or they are making the NBA minimum at the end of an NBA bench.

Here is the question I cannot answer, before Otule gets a "real job" in sales or as an accountant (or whatever), is it worth it to move to Europe for 2 years and save maybe $30,000 to $50,000?  If he realizes he is destined for a real job as an accountant or in sales and wants to delay it as long as possible, then a sixth year at MU is a viable option.  More interesting to play in front of 18,000 at the Bradley center on national TV than in front of 2,000 to 4,000 in Europe when the stadium announcer is speaking French.  If Otule wants a career as a basketball coach (I have no idea if this interests him) then staying at MU is also a better option than "getting lost" in Europe.

I cannot speak to his financial situation or what interests Chris.  But going to Europe for the kind of money he would probably command does not, to me, seem worth it.  If he wants to delay getting a "real job" than come back for a sixth year.  Nothing wrong with that.

[MU82]

"Everyone" doesn't want to get rid of Otule.

As I said earlier today in another thread:

If Otule stays healthy and is as productive as I think he can be this season, why the heck wouldn't Marquette want a mature, 6-foot-11, shotblocking team leader for one more season?

What? We've had too many quality big men in recent years?

[jsglow]

I have a friend that owns/runs a pro-team in Europe (Switzerland).  It is not a top flight team like those in France and Spain but the next level below that.  They have made inquiries to MU players in the past (largely because I suggested it) and nothing came of it.

I mention this because I have some knowledge about the second tier European teams.  They pay ... $3,000/month and provide an apartment (typically a small two bedroom with another US player).  The average player lasts a little less than 2 seasons.

He tells me you can make $100,000 to $300,000/year with the top teams in Spain and France.  But very few of these teams have US players.  If a US player is worth that kind of money in Europe, they are more likely to stay in the NBDL as that path is clearer to the NBA or they are making the NBA minimum at the end of an NBA bench.

Here is the question I cannot answer, before Otule gets a "real job" in sales or as an accountant (or whatever), is it worth it to move to Europe for 2 years and save maybe $30,000 to $50,000?  If he realizes he is destined for a real job as an accountant or in sales and wants to delay it as long as possible, then a sixth year at MU is a viable option.  More interesting to play in front of 18,000 at the Bradley center on national TV than in front of 2,000 to 4,000 in Europe when the stadium announcer is speaking French.  If Otule wants a career as a basketball coach (I have no idea if this interests him) then staying at MU is also a better option than "getting lost" in Europe.

I cannot speak to his financial situation or what interests Chris.  But going to Europe for the kind of money he would probably command does not, to me, seem worth it.  If he wants to delay getting a "real job" than come back for a sixth year.  Nothing wrong with that.

Interesting stuff Another.  I'd be real interested to know more info about 'second tier' overseas options.  If memory serves, we've had guys in Turkey, Japan, Italy, etc.  I didn't even know that Switzerland had a league.  Seems to me that Travis made the decision to play over there after his NBA days were over and was making well into the 6 figures.

[Tugg Speedman]

Interesting stuff Another.  I'd be real interested to know more info about 'second tier' overseas options.  If memory serves, we've had guys in Turkey, Japan, Italy, etc.  I didn't even know that Switzerland had a league.  Seems to me that Travis made the decision to play over there after his NBA days were over and was making well into the 6 figures.

Travis made a decision to live in Europe when he was older.  Younger guys view it as a stepping stone (to the NBA).

Also, their is a bit of a bubble in European basketball teams/leagues.  My friend in Switzerland tells me that some of the high profile teams are betting the NBA will expand into Europe by adding an existing European team(s) to the NBA.  So the are spending big time right now.  If the NBA does not expand soon, this bubble will burst.

[brewcity77]

Interesting stuff Another.  I'd be real interested to know more info about 'second tier' overseas options.  If memory serves, we've had guys in Turkey, Japan, Italy, etc.  I didn't even know that Switzerland had a league.  Seems to me that Travis made the decision to play over there after his NBA days were over and was making well into the 6 figures.

I believe Travis is making more money and starting in Italy, which were driving factors. He had a few NBA offers he could have taken to be a backup and would probably still be in the league today had he chosen.

[🏀]

I have a former classmate who was a former two-time D2 player of the year.

He plays in Europe. Shares a decent apartment with two other players, they are all provided their own cars and have per diem for meals. His last year he made $110,000 on top of the benefits playing in Austria.

It's not a bad gig at all for a couple years after school.

[brewcity77]

I have a friend who was a former two-time D2 player of the year.

John Smith?

[Tugg Speedman]

I have a former classmate who was a former two-time D2 player of the year.

He plays in Europe. Shares a decent apartment with two other players, they are all provided their own cars and have per diem for meals. His last year he made $110,000 on top of the benefits playing in Austria.

It's not a bad gig at all for a couple years after school.

D2 play of the year, gets 110k.  So what will Otule earn?

That is why I used my example.

[🏀]

D2 play of the year, gets 110k.  So what will Otule earn?

That is why I used my example.

If he can dunk. $100k with no expenses.

[Tugg Speedman]

If he can dunk. $100k with no expenses.

Here is a list if players in my friends league in Switzerland that pay 3k/month plus an apartment.

http://www.eurobasket.com/Switzerland/basketball-Imports.asp
Scroll to the bottom to see the us players.  Several BE players are on the list.  And just about everyone of them can dunk.

Regarding big centers that can dunk, scroll up the list to see the size of the Serbian players in this league.

So it's nice to fantasize about big bucks playing in Europe.  But the reality is the top graduates of MU's business school will make as much as MUBasketball players in Europe.