Get to know the Americans playing in the East Asia Super League (EASL)

Over the years, there are moreand more American basketball players looking for opportunitiesoverseas. There are only about 450 guaranteed spots in the NBA,plus a few two-way spots per team. If one can’t crack an NBAroster, players often turn to playing abroad or in the NBAG-League.

For many players, going overseasis a sensible choice. There are many leagues to choose from,including the EuroLeague in Europe, NBL in Australia and ChineseBasketball Association in China.

Some Americans have found solacein the East Asia Super League – a rapidly growing tournament thatis considered to be the "champions league" of East Asianbasketball.

Jameel Warney, who plays for theSeoul SK Knights, has found success in Korea. After playing fouryears at Stony Brook and going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft,Warney established himself as one of the best American imports ofall-time in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). Ever since arrivingin Korea in 2019, the 6-foot-8 forward/center has amassed three MVPawards, three All-KBL teams and a KBL title.

Although Warney was not able tofind NBA success, he has been thriving in Korea. Warney recentlyopened up about some of the differences between playing overseasand back home in the USA.

“Well, it’s a lot different,”Warney said to BasketballNews. “There’s a lot of spacing inAmerican play, but even here [Korea] and in Europe, it's kind ofteam-based [basketball]. You can clog the paint up in this side ofthe world and there’s a lot of great shooting here, especiallytheir big men… It’s a lot of different stuff between these twothings [like America and Korea], but I mean I enjoy both of them alot and I love being here for the last five years."

Jamil Wilson, who played forOregon and Marquette from 2009 to 2014 but went undrafted in theNBA, echoed Warney’s statements.

“It’s just completely twodifferent styles of basketball,” Wilson said. "You get thateverywhere you go. When I played here [in the Philippines], therewas a different style of basketball played in Korea, where I amnow. When I played in Europe, whether be it in Italy, Israel,Russia or anywhere like that in the past, it’s just a differentexperience depending on where you are and how they play. Somecountries like to play up-tempo, and some like to be reallytactical with sets and things. So it just kinda depends on whereyou are and with the organization and the coaching staff aswell.”

Wilson has had stints in a lotof leagues in Europe before landing with the Korean side AnyangJung Kwan Jang Red Boosters this year. Wilson says he has enjoyedthe journey of playing overseas thus far.

“I enjoy everything. Everywhereyou go, it’s a unique experience – culture and basketball itself –so I’ve been enjoying my journey abroad and Korea’s no different,”Wilson said.

In choosing the place where theywant to go and play next, however, Wilson shared a rather uniqueyet wholesome moment that he considers for himself and hiscareer.

“All of my decisions revolvearound my son and spending time with him," Wilson said. "Sowhatever is time-flexible and allows me to spend the most time withhim, that’s probably what I’ll do or where I go.”

For Warney, it’s all about thefans and the people in the organization. He mentioned therelationships he's built over the past few years he has been withthe team.

“The people, obviously,” Warneysaid to BasketballNews when asked about considering where to play.“I’ve been with the same people for like the last five years. Myhead coach, he was the assistant for my first two years, but nowhe’s the head coach and we have a great relationship. I’ve beenwith (teammate) Yang Ming for five years and my translator also. Soa lot of guys I’m familiar with over the past couple ofyears.”

Warney adds that he considershis long-time teammates and coaches as family: “I think other people like being with differentteams, it’s like a one-year pitstop or maybe two then they go to adifferent team. [But] it’s not like a business to me, I guess it’smore of like a family/personal basis for me.”

For DJ Stephens, he's drawn tocertain leagues and teams with a solid fanbase. After a lengthycareer in Europe, Stephens is now with the Chiba Jets in Japan andhe appreciates the love that the Japanese fans show each and everygame.

“Some of the best fans I’ve everplayed for,” Stephens told BasketballNews. “They are realsupportive in every game that we have and the arenas are sold out.Our fans buy merchandise with our names on it. You see towels beingwaved with players’ names on it. The fans are really loyal andsupportive, so that’s a big thing for a basketball player, to havea lot of support.”

Some players spend several yearsin the NBA and experience some success, but then transition tooverseas basketball (like the EASL) as they get older. Austin Daye,who won an NBA championship in 2014, can attest to this His mainreason for coming to Asia to play basketball is to enjoy the gamebefore he hangs it up and create memories with histeammates.

“The decision to come here waspretty simple – I played with the same team last year. The drive ofthe coaching staff and the players, I know that they’re looking toget to a championship. And as you get older, it’s not so much aboutnumbers and things like that. It’s more about just having fun andtrying to enjoy time as your career winds down – which mine is,”Daye said.

Daye values winning more thananything, and he’d be fine putting up lesser stats if he has anopportunity to win at this stage of his career.

“Winding down and winning issomething I would rather do than wind down just getting numbers andlosing. So I chose to come here for this year because I want to tryand win a championship," Daye said. "And next year, who knows? Thesame factors apply to me – just try to win, have a great time withteammates, and try to enjoy the experiences overseas.”