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GER/USA – Okulaja says college route isn’t best for everyone
BARCELONA (NCAA/Euroleague) - Ademola Okulaja had the opportunity to play for a legend at one of the top college programs in America and took it with both hands.
At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between 1995 and 1999, Okulaja honed his skills under FIBA Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith before having a successful career in Europe.
Ask Okulaja, who is now an agent, if players in Europe should follow in his footsteps and his answer is that the American college experience isn’t for everyone.
The best option may be to stay with a club side in Europe.
"My opinion is, if you want to become a professional, really that's your love, then really I would say stay,” he said to FIBA.com during last weekend’s Euroleague Final Four in Barcelona.
"And the key is to have a team, a club coach, that really wants you and pushes you in practice.
“Then I would say, 'stay here in Europe, or Germany.'
"If you have a guy that is very talented but he has nobody really taking care of him, then definitely go to the States and enjoy the college life, the whole atmosphere.
"There is nothing like it in Europe.”
In the NCAA, there are rules that do not allow players to spend too much time on the practice court because they have studies as well.
"Just from practice wise, I would say stay in Europe,” Okulaja said.
"In the NCAA, you're allowed 12 to 15 hours of practice a week, including (looking at) video.
"Here, a young player in Europe, you would practice more than six hours a day.
"So, just with those numbers right there, if you want to be successful, stay in Europe."
Okulaja, 35, says he has no regrets about going to the United States and playing at Carolina.
"100% no, I would do it again,” he said.
"I played for 'the legend' but every situation is different.
“If you have the rare chance to go to a UNC, a UCLA and have the opportunity to go to a big program, then try it.
"But if you go to a second division or a very low first division (school), then think about staying in Europe or Germany."
BARCELONA (NCAA/Euroleague) - Ademola Okulaja had the opportunity to play for a legend at one of the top college programs in America and took it with both hands.
At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between 1995 and 1999, Okulaja honed his skills under FIBA Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith before having a successful career in Europe.
Ask Okulaja, who is now an agent, if players in Europe should follow in his footsteps and his answer is that the American college experience isn’t for everyone.
The best option may be to stay with a club side in Europe.
"My opinion is, if you want to become a professional, really that's your love, then really I would say stay,” he said to FIBA.com during last weekend’s Euroleague Final Four in Barcelona.
"And the key is to have a team, a club coach, that really wants you and pushes you in practice.
“Then I would say, 'stay here in Europe, or Germany.'
"If you have a guy that is very talented but he has nobody really taking care of him, then definitely go to the States and enjoy the college life, the whole atmosphere.
"There is nothing like it in Europe.”
In the NCAA, there are rules that do not allow players to spend too much time on the practice court because they have studies as well.
"Just from practice wise, I would say stay in Europe,” Okulaja said.
"In the NCAA, you're allowed 12 to 15 hours of practice a week, including (looking at) video.
"Here, a young player in Europe, you would practice more than six hours a day.
"So, just with those numbers right there, if you want to be successful, stay in Europe."
Okulaja, 35, says he has no regrets about going to the United States and playing at Carolina.
"100% no, I would do it again,” he said.
"I played for 'the legend' but every situation is different.
“If you have the rare chance to go to a UNC, a UCLA and have the opportunity to go to a big program, then try it.
"But if you go to a second division or a very low first division (school), then think about staying in Europe or Germany."
