In an insightful episode, Paul George reignited a long-running debate; basketball in the United States vs Europe. Alex Sarr, a French basketball phenom who is projected to be the #1 pick of the 2024 draft, joined PG13 as the LA Clippers star discussed his open views on why European athletes, such as Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, and Sarr himself, seem NBA-ready earlier in life compared to their American counterparts. What is their developmental curve all about?

On the ‘Podcast P with Paul George’, the young Frenchman spoke about going pro at 15. This prompted George to consider the differences in player development between the two continents. He said, “I think we’re doing it all wrong here in the U.S.”.

“I mean, you look at Victor (Wembanyama), you look at Luka (Dončić), yourself (Sarr) coming up. Like y’all NBA-ready at such an early age where it takes us a little bit more time for that development curve to reach ultimately where we become our stars and our superstars. You guys seem to hit that peak a lot sooner. It’s something we got to do.” Paul George’s remarks indicate a growing belief among basketball pundits and players that youthful talent develops quickly because of European training regimens and early professional opportunities.

Sarr’s story is an effective example.

Unquestionably, playing against seasoned pros at such a young age has expedited his development and preparedness for the NBA. Thinking back on his own experience, Paul George recounted a personal story. “I was scared to even play in varsity when I was 14,” he admitted, comparing his early years and Sarr’s, who started playing professionally very early on.

This is not the first of this debate. The USA vs Europe argument has resurfaced recently owing to the popularity and success of many European-descent players. In a sport that originated in the USA and has always been American-dominant, this trend has shocked many.

The rise of European stars in the NBA

The NBA is dominated by European players right now. This year’s Most Valuable Player award for the best-performing player of the regular season was awarded to the Denver Nuggets’ Serbian Center, Nikola Jokic. This was Jokic’s third consecutive season as the MVP; a testament to his influence on court. At the same time, the Frenchman, San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, won Rookie of the Year. And another French player, Rudy Gobert, won his fourth Best Defensive Player of the Year title.

In fact, European players; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Domantas Sabonis made it to this year’s All-NBA team alongside Jokic. Fans and analysts feel that European players’ early exposure to professional basketball plays a key role. Players frequently enroll in professional teams’ youth academies in Europe, where they begin a hard and regimented training program at a very early age. This hones their skills and prepares them for intense competition. Sarr started his professional career in an academy in Real Madrid.

American basketball players, on the other hand, usually go via the high school and collegiate systems, which differ greatly in terms of quality and rigor. The NCAA offers a stage for exhibiting talent, but according to statistics, only 1% of NCAA athletes end up going pro after their college career. The difference in development paths between the USA and Europe is a major topic of discussion.

The debate about USA vs. Europe in basketball is probably going to go on as the NBA becomes more international. Because of the league’s growing global reach, more players from every background will compete, bringing with them unique styles and methods of play. This might prove to be both a boon and a bane for American basketball.

Thank you for sticking around till the end. We have something special for you! While we will always talk about how the NBA has been a launchpad for young ballers into stardom, what did Leonard Armato have to say while he built ‘SHAQ’-the brand over the years?