The Overseas Basketball Gold Rush: 6 Highest Paid Players Outside The NBA In 2024-2025

The global market for elite basketball talent has never been hotter, and as of late 2024, the financial gap between the NBA and top international leagues is shrinking at the very top. While the average NBA salary remains astronomical, a select group of former NBA players and EuroLeague superstars are commanding annual contracts in Europe and Asia that shatter previous records, with the highest-paid player now earning a staggering \$6 million per season. This elite tier of overseas professionals proves that a lucrative, long-term career exists far beyond North America's premier league. This article dives deep into the most current contract figures for the 2024-2025 season, revealing the players, the teams, and the leagues—primarily the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and high-budget Israeli clubs—that are fueling this international basketball gold rush. The list is dynamic, featuring a mix of former NBA veterans returning to form and European MVPs cementing their legacy with historic, multi-million-dollar deals.

The Top 6 Highest-Paid Overseas Basketball Players (2024-2025)

The following list is compiled from the most recent reports on net annual salaries for the 2024-2025 professional basketball season outside the NBA, with figures converted to approximate US Dollars (USD) for a standardized comparison.

1. Vasilije Micic (Hapoel Tel Aviv) – \$6.0 Million USD

Biography & Career Profile:

• Full Name: Vasilije Micić
• Nationality: Serbian
• Born: January 13, 1994 (Age 30) in Kraljevo, FR Yugoslavia (now Serbia)
• Position: Point Guard
• Current Team: Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israeli Basketball Premier League / EuroCup)
• Career Highlights: Two-time EuroLeague Champion (2021, 2022), EuroLeague MVP (2021), EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2021), NBA Draft Pick (52nd overall by Philadelphia 76ers in 2014).

Vasilije Micic, an international basketball legend and former EuroLeague MVP, has cemented his status as the highest-paid player outside the NBA for the 2024-2025 season. After a short stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA, Micic made a historic return to Europe, signing a multi-year deal with Hapoel Tel Aviv reportedly worth an annual \$6 million. This landmark contract not only sets a new benchmark for non-NBA salaries but also highlights the aggressive financial power of top Israeli clubs competing for EuroLeague-level talent.

2. Kendrick Nunn (Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens) – \$4.9 Million USD

Biography & Career Profile:

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• Full Name: Kendrick Melvin Nunn
• Nationality: American
• Born: August 3, 1995 (Age 29) in Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Position: Shooting Guard
• Current Team: Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (EuroLeague / Greek Basket League)
• Career Highlights: NBA All-Rookie First Team (2020), EuroLeague Champion (2024).

Kendrick Nunn is the face of the American overseas star who found a massive payday and championship success in Europe. The former NBA All-Rookie First Team member signed a record-breaking extension with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, securing an annual net salary of €4.5 million, which translates to approximately \$4.9 million USD. This contract, which notably contains no NBA opt-out clauses, underscores Panathinaikos's commitment to building a dynastic EuroLeague team and Nunn's decision to prioritize a top international contract over a minimum NBA deal.

3. Sasha Vezenkov (Olympiacos Piraeus) – \$4.1 Million USD

Biography & Career Profile:

• Full Name: Aleksandar "Sasha" Vezenkov
• Nationality: Bulgarian / Cypriot
• Born: August 6, 1993 (Age 31) in Nicosia, Cyprus
• Position: Power Forward
• Current Team: Olympiacos Piraeus (EuroLeague / Greek Basket League)
• Career Highlights: EuroLeague MVP (2023), EuroLeague All-First Team (2022, 2023), Greek League MVP (2023).

Sasha Vezenkov's career trajectory is a classic example of a European superstar briefly trying the NBA before returning to a massive contract. After winning the 2023 EuroLeague MVP, he signed with the Sacramento Kings. However, his return to Olympiacos in 2024 was marked by a massive five-year contract worth a reported €18.5 million net, placing his annual salary around \$4.1 million USD. His high-value deal demonstrates that teams are willing to pay a premium to lure back their homegrown talent, especially a player of his caliber.

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4. Kevin Punter (Partizan Belgrade) – \$4.0 Million USD

Biography & Career Profile:

• Full Name: Kevin Xavier Punter Jr.
• Nationality: American / Serbian
• Born: June 25, 1993 (Age 31) in Bronx, New York, USA
• Position: Shooting Guard
• Current Team: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (EuroLeague / ABA League)
• Career Highlights: Two-time Basketball Champions League winner (2018, 2019), ABA League Champion (2023).

Kevin Punter is one of the most celebrated American players in the EuroLeague, known for his clutch scoring and leadership. His contract with Serbian club Partizan Belgrade is one of the most valuable in the league, with an annual salary estimated at \$4.0 million USD. Punter's high earnings reflect his status as a key franchise player and captain for a team with a massive, passionate fanbase, illustrating the value placed on proven scoring ability in high-stakes European competition.

5. Edy Tavares (Real Madrid) – \$4.0 Million USD

Biography & Career Profile:

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• Full Name: Walter "Edy" Tavares da Veiga
• Nationality: Cape Verdean
• Born: March 22, 1992 (Age 32) in Maio, Cape Verde
• Position: Center
• Current Team: Real Madrid (EuroLeague / Liga ACB)
• Career Highlights: Two-time EuroLeague Champion (2018, 2023), EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2023), Three-time EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year.

Walter "Edy" Tavares is arguably the most dominant defensive player in modern European basketball. The towering Cape Verdean center commands an annual salary of approximately \$4.0 million USD from Spanish giant Real Madrid. Tavares's contract is a testament to the premium placed on elite rim protection and rebounding in the EuroLeague. His consistent performance and defensive awards have made him an indispensable anchor for one of Europe's most successful clubs.

6. Shane Larkin (Anadolu Efes Istanbul) – \$3.75 Million USD

Biography & Career Profile:

• Full Name: Shane Edward Larkin
• Nationality: American / Turkish
• Born: October 2, 1992 (Age 32) in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
• Position: Point Guard
• Current Team: Anadolu Efes Istanbul (EuroLeague / Turkish Basketball Super League)
• Career Highlights: Two-time EuroLeague Champion (2021, 2022), Turkish League MVP (2024), former NBA player.

Shane Larkin, a naturalized Turkish citizen and former NBA player, remains one of the highest-paid point guards in Europe. His annual salary with Turkish powerhouse Anadolu Efes is reported to be around \$3.75 million USD. Larkin's contract reflects his long-standing status as a EuroLeague elite, where he has led Efes to multiple championships and broken numerous scoring records. His deal highlights the enduring financial strength of top Turkish teams.

The Rising Financial Power of European Basketball

The most striking takeaway from the 2024-2025 salary landscape is the dramatic increase in top-tier European basketball contracts. The days when a \$2 million annual salary was considered the absolute peak are over. The competition among EuroLeague powerhouses—such as Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Real Madrid, and Anadolu Efes—to secure championship-caliber talent has driven player earnings to unprecedented heights.

The New Benchmark: \$5 Million Plus

The contracts signed by Vasilije Micic and Kendrick Nunn for the 2024-2025 season have officially reset the market. With both players commanding around \$5 million to \$6 million annually, they are now earning more than many mid-level NBA players. This trend is fueled by several factors:

• Increased Club Budgets: Teams in the EuroLeague, particularly those backed by wealthy owners or strong corporate sponsors, are allocating larger portions of their budget to player salaries to ensure competitive advantage.
• Former NBA Talent: The willingness of established NBA players to move overseas for guaranteed, high-value, long-term contracts is increasing. For many, a \$4 million to \$6 million annual net salary in Europe, often with low tax burdens, is financially superior to a minimum or non-guaranteed deal in the NBA.
• Topical Authority of Stars: Players like Micic and Vezenkov, who dominate the EuroLeague, carry immense marketability and topical authority, making them worth the premium price tag for their respective clubs.

The CBA and Other International Leagues

While the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) historically competed for the title of the highest-paying league outside the NBA, with past contracts reaching up to \$4.4 million for a single season, recent financial reports suggest the EuroLeague and its associated clubs have taken the lead in 2024. The CBA remains a highly lucrative destination, especially for American players looking for a significant payday, but its top-end salaries have not publicly surpassed the new \$6 million benchmark set in Europe. Other leagues, such as those in Russia, Spain (Liga ACB), and Turkey (BSL), offer competitive salaries, but the EuroLeague's top 10 earners consistently represent the highest non-NBA compensation globally.

What Drives the Overseas Salary Market?

Understanding the mechanics of overseas basketball salaries requires looking beyond just the gross number. Several factors influence the final take-home pay for these international basketball players:

• Tax Structure: Unlike the NBA, where salaries are generally reported before taxes, many EuroLeague contracts are reported as "net" (after-tax) figures. This means a \$4 million net contract is significantly more valuable than a \$4 million gross NBA contract. Greece, Spain, and Turkey often offer favorable tax regimes for foreign athletes, maximizing their earnings.
• Guaranteed Contracts: The vast majority of top-tier EuroLeague contracts are fully guaranteed for the duration of the deal, offering financial security that is often absent for non-star players in the NBA.
• Bonuses and Incentives: Contracts frequently include substantial bonuses for reaching the EuroLeague Final Four, winning the championship, and individual awards (MVP, All-EuroLeague Team).

The financial landscape of international basketball in 2024-2025 is a clear sign of the sport's global expansion and the increasing willingness of top clubs to invest heavily in proven talent. The battle for the highest paid overseas basketball players is now a high-stakes competition, with former NBA players and European legends alike benefiting from the unprecedented contract values.