[Saba Sports News] Willie Cauley-Stein, a former 2015 NBA lottery pick, did not secure a spot on an NBA roster last season. However, he seems content with his decision to play overseas.
The Kentucky alum recently inked a deal with the Italian team Openjobmetis Varese. Cauley-Stein shared his thoughts on how Varese has met his expectations and made a notable comparison between European basketball and the style of play in the American league.
He stated, ‘I chose to come to Europe because of the more ‘tactical’ style of play, in contrast to the one-on-one basketball that currently dominates the NBA, driven by players’ pursuit of personal statistics. Here in Europe, every game and every possession carries significant importance,’ as per Sportando’s translation.
European basketball is renowned for emphasizing ball movement and teamwork, while the NBA is known for featuring some of the world’s best individual talent.
Cauley-Stein’s comments are particularly interesting in light of the recent performance of the United States at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Several European teams, including Germany and Serbia, outperformed both the US and Canada in the global tournament.
Over his seven-year NBA career, Cauley-Stein, a 7’0″ center, played for multiple teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers.