Heading into a sixth year of getting paid for play for pay, he's a veteran of European basketball. But that's only if Travis Hansen can't find a spot on an NBA roster in the next month and return stateside.
The former Mountain View, Utah Valley University and BYU star just opted out of his contract with Dynamo of Moscow, where he earned All-Euro League and All-Euro Cup honors this past spring, making it to the Final Four.
"I could end up in Spain, or I could be back in the U.S. Watching the playoffs got me excited about playing back here and I'd accept less money if it worked out to hook up with an NBA team," said Hansen.
In the meantime, I asked Hansen to break down European basketball, a circuit very foreign to Americans, but one that has made Hansen millions.
Here's his Top Ten List of things one should know about playing hoops at the highest level of European super leagues and championships, a slot he's toiled in since he was drafted and left the Atlanta Hawks.
1. SUPER STARS. The greatest names, the so-called legends of European basketball are Drazen Petrovic, Dejan Bodiroga, Kresimir Cosic, Arvydas Sabonis and Manu Ginobili. They have many great players who never played in the NBA.
2. GALAXY STAR. The Kobe Bryant of European hoops? Well, it's not possible to have a Kobe of Euroball because of the style of play. The NBA has so much spacing that if you beat your guy then you are wide open. Euroball is a lot like college ball; you beat your guy and you have four others right there. It's a lot more difficult to score in Europe than the NBA. Every possession counts in Europe.
3. COIN. The money varies, just like the NBA. In the NBA you have players making $20 million and others making $500,000. In Europe you have players making $5 million Euros after taxes and others making $200,000. The biggest difference is benefits in Europe, where they pay for housing, agent fees, travel (airline tickets) cars and domestic and international taxes.
4. ACCURACY. The shooters in Europe are more accurate, and shoot a higher percentage than the NBA because every possession counts. European ball, overall, has a much better shot selection. There are less isolation plays and more team set plays.
5. FANS. Spain has the best arenas and fan support. Russia may have the worst arenas overall. People are very passionate because their teams represent their country, like Team USA playing every week. The rivalries are huge.
6. LUGGAGE BALL. Best roadies? Has to be Greece or Spain. Fans are very passionate about basketball. Food is great and weather is always nice.
7. SAFETY. The scariest, Detroit Piston's Palace at Auburn Hills crowd-type experience? Playing in Athens, Greece, in front of 20,000 Greek fans. They threw batteries, full water bottles, flares and firecrackers.
8. EATS. Best food in Euro hoops? Greece or Spain — by far the best food.
Seafood in Greece. Salads, jamon and restaurants in Spain are outstanding.
9. SCRAPBOOK. Most memorable moment? Playing in two Euroleague Final Fours, three Domestic Championships, playing with great players like Luis Scola, Jose Calderon, Andres Nocioni, and Bostjan Nachbar.
10. LIVING IT. The lifestyle is top-drawer, big-time awesome. You have two games per week, one domestic game and one international per week. It's less travel than the NBA. You have more practices, which are far more intense than the NBA, but you have more family time and the top teams have their own private planes.
e-mail: dharmon@desnews.com