What If You Don't Make the NBA? 7 Ways to Keep Playing Basketball in 2027
Last updated: November 4, 2026
What happens if you don't make the NBA?
Maybe you finished college basketball without getting drafted. Maybe you've been playing professionally overseas and want another opportunity. Or maybe you've spent years working toward professional basketball but haven't received an offer.
Not making the NBA doesn't mean you have to stop playing competitive basketball.
There are professional basketball leagues throughout the United States and internationally.
Some players compete in the NBA G League. Others build careers in Europe, Latin America, Asia, or independent American basketball leagues.
The challenge is understanding which opportunities are realistic and how to find the right teams.
Here are seven paths to consider if you want to continue playing basketball in 2027.
1. Try Out for the NBA G League
The NBA G League is the NBA's official minor league.
It provides professional basketball opportunities for developing players, undrafted prospects, and athletes seeking another route toward the NBA.
NBA G League rosters include players on different contract arrangements, including two-way players, NBA assignees, draft selections, and other eligible professionals.
Can You Try Out for the NBA G League?
Yes. NBA G League teams hold local player tryouts.
For the 2026–27 season, organizations including the Texas Legends, Delaware Blue Coats, Motor City Cruise, and other teams announced public evaluation events.
Players selected from local tryouts may receive invitations to training camp.
However, attending a tryout does not guarantee a training camp invitation or roster position.
Tryouts may also involve registration fees and eligibility requirements.
Official NBA G League tryout information:
https://gleague.nba.com/local-tryouts-2026
For athletes pursuing the highest-profile domestic developmental pathway, the NBA G League is an important place to begin.
2. Play Professional Basketball Overseas
The NBA isn't the only place where basketball players earn professional contracts.
Professional basketball leagues operate across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and other regions.
Countries with established professional basketball competitions include:
Spain
Germany
France
Italy
Turkey
Greece
Japan
Australia
Mexico
Compensation and competitive standards differ significantly by country, league, and team.
Some international leagues feature highly experienced professionals and substantial financial resources.
Others operate with smaller budgets and more limited contracts.
How Do You Get a Basketball Contract Overseas?
Start by identifying leagues that fit your playing experience.
Then research individual clubs, their recruiting structures, and whether they use agents or accept direct player inquiries.
Prepare a professional basketball résumé with your height, position, playing history, statistics, highlights, and full-game footage.
Before accepting an international opportunity, confirm salary, housing, transportation, medical coverage, visa requirements, and contract terms.
3. Join The Basketball League (TBL)
The Basketball League is an independent professional basketball competition with organizations across the United States and Canada.
TBL provides another potential pathway for players who want to compete professionally outside the NBA system.
Examples of organizations associated with TBL include:
Raleigh Firebirds — North Carolina
Fayetteville Liberty — North Carolina
Kokomo BobKats — Indiana
Potawatomi Fire — Oklahoma
Enid Outlaws — Oklahoma
Teams and league memberships can change between seasons.
How Do You Join a TBL Team?
Research organizations competing in your region and review their official announcements.
Some teams may advertise tryouts or player evaluations, while others recruit through coaches, basketball operations personnel, or referrals.
If you have recent competitive playing experience, prepare your film and contact the appropriate staff member about the team's evaluation process.
Official TBL website: https://thebasketballleague.net/
4. Explore American Basketball Association (ABA) Teams
The American Basketball Association is an independent basketball organization with teams across multiple regions of the United States.
The ABA has a broad geographic footprint, making it relevant for players researching basketball opportunities near home.
Organizations listed in ABA regional directories have included teams in Georgia, Texas, Florida, California, New York, and other states.
Can You Get Paid to Play in the ABA?
Compensation varies by organization.
Some teams may offer limited payments or stipends, while others may not pay players.
You should not assume every ABA roster position includes a professional salary.
How Do You Find ABA Basketball Teams?
Begin with the league's official regional team directories.
Identify organizations in your state, verify their current participation, and look for coaching or recruiting contacts.
Official ABA website: https://www.realabaleague.com/
5. Look Into the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL)
The East Coast Basketball League is an independent regional basketball competition with organizations concentrated in the eastern United States.
For players in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and nearby states, the ECBL can be another league worth researching.
Organizations associated with the league have included:
PrimeTime Players
Winston-Salem Wolfpack
Petersburg Cavaliers
North Carolina Capitals
Team participation and compensation should be confirmed individually.
The ECBL may be particularly relevant for athletes who want to compete regionally while exploring additional opportunities.
Official ECBL website: https://www.eastcoastbasketballleague.org/
6. Explore Other Domestic Basketball Opportunities
Not every competitive basketball opportunity is part of the NBA G League, TBL, ABA, or ECBL.
Additional independent leagues and regional basketball organizations operate throughout the United States.
Some are professional, while others are semi-professional or amateur.
The important distinction is whether the opportunity matches your goals.
If your priority is earning a salary, verify compensation before committing.
If your priority is getting competitive game footage, a regional organization might be worth considering even if it doesn't offer a full professional contract.
Avoid relying on outdated directories. Confirm that teams are active and participating in the upcoming season.
7. Continue Playing While Building a Basketball Career
Not every basketball career has to follow the same path.
Some players continue competing while working as trainers, coaches, or basketball development specialists.
Others transition into scouting, player development, youth basketball, or basketball operations.
If you still want to play, competing in a regional league may help you remain involved in the sport while evaluating your next move.
The right option depends on your playing level, financial needs, and long-term plans.
What Should You Do If You Go Undrafted in the NBA?
Going undrafted does not automatically eliminate every professional basketball opportunity.
However, players should understand that NBA G League and international professional opportunities remain highly competitive.
If you've recently completed your college basketball career, consider the following steps.
Step 1: Build Your Basketball Résumé
Include your position, height, weight, previous schools or teams, recent statistics, and relevant achievements.
Your information should be accurate and easy for coaches to evaluate.
Step 2: Prepare Highlight and Full-Game Film
Highlights help introduce your abilities, but full-game footage allows coaches to evaluate your decision-making and performance in context.
Identify yourself clearly in every video.
Step 3: Research Multiple Basketball Leagues
Don't limit your research to one organization.
Compare the NBA G League, international competitions, TBL, ABA, ECBL, and other verified leagues.
Focus on opportunities that fit your experience.
Step 4: Identify Coaches and Recruiting Contacts
Depending on the organization, recruiting decisions may involve a head coach, general manager, sporting director, or player personnel representative.
Identify the appropriate person before sending an inquiry.
Step 5: Ask About Evaluations and Roster Opportunities
Contact organizations professionally with your playing information and film.
Some teams hold open tryouts, while others evaluate players privately or through agents.
Always verify that an opportunity is legitimate.
Can You Play Professional Basketball Without Playing in College?
Some professional basketball organizations may consider athletes without college playing experience.
However, not playing college basketball can make it more difficult to demonstrate your ability against established competition.
A player without college experience may need to develop credible game footage through other competitive settings.
Coaches need evidence that you can contribute at their level.
Simply having good individual skills or impressive training videos is rarely enough.
How Hard Is It to Play Professional Basketball Outside the NBA?
Professional basketball is competitive at every level.
The NBA G League includes experienced college players, undrafted prospects, and professionals with NBA experience.
International teams also recruit athletes from established college and professional programs.
Independent domestic leagues may have different recruiting standards, but roster positions are still limited.
Rather than contacting every organization, focus on teams that match your level and location.
Do Basketball Players Outside the NBA Get Paid?
Yes, many professional basketball players earn salaries outside the NBA.
However, compensation varies significantly.
The NBA G League and established international professional leagues have structured paid opportunities.
Independent American basketball leagues may offer smaller payments, stipends, or unpaid roster positions.
Before accepting an offer, ask about:
Guaranteed salary or game payments
Housing
Transportation
Medical coverage
Contract length
Travel costs
Any required fees
A team describing itself as professional does not automatically guarantee that every player receives a salary.
How to Find Basketball Teams Near You
If you're looking for opportunities in the United States, begin by researching teams in your state.
For example, a player in North Carolina could explore TBL, ABA, and ECBL organizations rather than limiting their search to one league.
The same principle applies in Texas, Florida, Georgia, California, and other states.
Explore our Semi-Pro Basketball Teams by State directory to learn about independent basketball leagues and organizations across the country.
How to Contact Professional Basketball Coaches
Once you've identified an organization, the next challenge is reaching the appropriate person.
Team websites don't always publish detailed recruiting information.
A general team inbox may not be the best place to send your basketball film.
Research the organization's head coach, general manager, or basketball operations staff before reaching out.
Example Basketball Recruiting Email
Subject: 2027 Basketball Roster Inquiry — [Position] — [Your Name]
Hello Coach,
My name is [Your Name], and I'm a [height] [position] with playing experience at [school or team].
I'm interested in learning whether your organization is evaluating players for the 2027 season.
My recent playing background includes [brief experience or statistics].
I've included my basketball film below.
Highlights: [Link]
Full Game: [Link]
Position: [Position]
Height: [Height]
Previous Team: [Team]
I'd appreciate any information about your recruiting or evaluation process.
Thank you for your time.
[Your Name]
Find Basketball Teams and Contact Information With Cancha Labs
If your goal is to continue playing basketball, the first step is finding teams that match your level.
The next step is identifying the people responsible for recruiting.
Cancha Labs is expanding its athlete discovery platform beyond soccer to help basketball players find organizations and pursue opportunities through direct outreach.
We're developing a searchable basketball directory covering multiple leagues, with filters for state, city, and league.
We're also working toward making basketball coach and team contact information available.
Want to contact a basketball team?
Visit Cancha Labs to learn about the platform and upcoming basketball contact availability.
The basketball contact-request feature is not yet live, and access to contact information does not guarantee a tryout, roster position, or professional contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play professional basketball if you don't make the NBA?
Yes. Professional basketball opportunities exist in the NBA G League, international leagues, and independent domestic competitions.
What basketball league is below the NBA?
The NBA G League is the NBA's official minor league. Other professional basketball leagues operate independently in the United States and internationally.
Can you try out for the NBA G League?
Yes. NBA G League teams hold local tryouts, subject to eligibility requirements and registration procedures. Selection is highly competitive.
Can you play professional basketball without college experience?
Some teams may evaluate players without college basketball experience, but professional opportunities require evidence of competitive playing ability.
Do ABA basketball players get paid?
Compensation varies by team. Some organizations may offer payments or stipends, while others may not provide salaries.
Is TBL a professional basketball league?
Yes. The Basketball League describes itself as a professional basketball competition.
Can you get paid to play basketball overseas?
Yes. Many international professional basketball teams offer player contracts, but compensation varies by league and organization.
How do you find basketball tryouts in 2027?
Monitor official league websites, team announcements, and verified player evaluation events. Confirm eligibility, registration fees, and event details before attending.
How do you contact a professional basketball coach?
Identify the appropriate recruiting or basketball operations contact, prepare your playing résumé and film, and send a concise professional inquiry.
Your Basketball Career Doesn't Have to End With the NBA
The NBA is one of the most competitive basketball leagues in the world.
Not making it doesn't mean there are no other opportunities.
The NBA G League, international professional competitions, TBL, ABA, ECBL, and other organizations provide different paths for athletes who want to continue playing.
Research teams that fit your level, prepare your basketball film, and identify the right people to contact.
The next step in your basketball career may be with a team you haven't discovered yet.
Cancha Labs is an independent athlete information platform and is not affiliated with the NBA, NBA G League, TBL, ABA, ECBL, or the teams mentioned. We do not guarantee evaluations, roster positions, compensation, or professional contracts.