Growing up, most basketball players dream of making it to the NBA. Pursuing basketball becomes their identity and a passion that drives them. But, the road to the league is not an easy one. With only 15 official contracts available for each of the 30 NBA teams per season, the majority of basketball players are left to forge a unique path to continue their sport. Some find themselves playing in the G League, which serves as the NBA’s developmental league, or moving abroad to play professionally. These players continue to pursue their dreams and showcase their talents at a high level, often with the hope of eventually making it to the big league. The alternative routes to professional basketball are not for the faint of heart, though; they demand grit, patience and most importantly, an unfaltering love for the game.
Click each player card below to read the stories of Jordan Schakel, Sam Borst-Smith, Fletcher Tynen and Ty Sabin.
