The Truth About Playing Pro Basketball in Europe

I spent 9 months playing professional basketball in Finland last year, and I learned a lot. In this video, I talk about 9 things you might find interesting about my experience overseas.
Thank you all so much for the support on the channel recently! As always, let me know in the comments if you have any video ideas, or just want to share something about your basketball journey.
Follow me on IG: / tuckrich
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[@VibesAndNotes]

As a father of a crazy tall basketball obsessed 12 year old these videos have been a blessing. My son watches these on his own now. Helped him see the game differently, do not think it's NBA or bust. He's talking about careers he can access through basketball. Can't wait for him to see you discuss playing with speed. He had his first camp with D1 coaches last week and he said how they told him it's important to play fast. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and journey.

[@TuckerRichardson]

That is such an important perspective shift for all players. That is why I try and talk about having a process over results mindset in almost every video I make!

[@MrXvass]

YT algorithm dropped your channel in my home screen, what a find! I binged almost all your videos. Keep up and all the best finding your next destination in Europe. There are several leagues that are great stepping stones for both talent and financial development. Keep us up to date.

[@TuckerRichardson]

Wow that is so cool! I agree, so many possibilities playing overseas!

[@steezymtb5876]

I'm very contradicted... I really enjoyed watching you play last season, you are a really good role model for young players, not only on the court, but off the court as well. The insight on your videos is definitely something I look forward to showing to my players when they get older. So a part of me really would like to see you play in Finland for many years to come. Obviously that would not be the ceiling for a player of your caliber, therefore with a small sense of melancholy I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, keep killing it and keep pursuing your dreams. I'll keep tabs on you and will keep using your Nokia highlights as teaching material. Thank you for an amazing year, boss!

[@TuckerRichardson]

Oh wow I really appreciate this comment! I loved playing in Finland this past season, the fans and country treated me right!

[@Kukkonaama13]

Nothing but love from Nokia! Keep up the great work, man!

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thank you!!

[@mazikaze]

Nice to have actual well thought ideas about playing professionally in smaller league abroad. I live in Finland and I've been a basketball fan for decades. Normally 'yankees' come in each fall, they play, they give some interviews in the local media with standard american courtesies about living in here and they make some impact on local night live. That's all we get to know of dozens of players such as you. It's really nice to have someone talk about what's the life of such athlete is actually like. Good stuff!

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thank you, I enjoyed my time in Finland so much! I only have great things to say about this past season.

[@tompriceusmc]

I was in Tampere once when it was minus 31 degrees. I spilled orange juice down the front of my jeans and within minutes the juice froze my jeans to my legs. I had to stand in front of the radiator to thaw everything... and then slowly peel my jeans off. LOL Despite that---I still love Finland. It's an amazing and beautiful place.

[@TuckerRichardson]

Haha it does get pretty cold, I can't lie!

[@dqti._.]

it's crazy how i the video just got released 9 min ago

[@TuckerRichardson]

It is funny how that happens😂

[@Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm69]

9 days ago

[@WillSmoak32]

Great vid Tucker. Love your channel. I am excited every time you post a video. Your videos really help me.

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thank you!

[@konzza]

Great video! And shoutout from Finland. Always been interested about foreign players experencienses about the career the career paths that took them here. Kinda been toying around with the idea of trying to make a podcast about pro football players with interesting backrounds making their journey over here. Great insight from here from an pro athletes perspective.

[@TuckerRichardson]

I think that is a really interesting idea! Thank you for watching!

[@jimppa2822]

hey Tucker. good vid once again and its nice to see the whole season from ur perspective. gonna miss u man🙏🏻

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thank you!! I appreciate you all so much.

[@bartek6039]

I wish to find this kind chanle 18 yers ago when I decided to giveup playing professionally handball. I wish you gl!!

[@TuckerRichardson]

Ah, if only! Thank you!

[@user-vz5gu9cm1s]

I have dreams of going pro and this video makes me think of everything so much more different. Love the vid

[@TuckerRichardson]

Let's go, that is great to hear!

[@bothgachvlogs]

Great video 💯

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thanks BG

[@coopershackleford]

I really get what your saying about playing fast My team was an incredibly athletic team to begin with (4 of our starters including me all made the regional athletics team for track events) but we were also able to get some of our younger guards who werent as quick to be at half court as we were grabbing the rebound and they were ahead of the defense by 3 or 4 metres for the outlet. Definitely one of the reasons we made the final this year.

[@TuckerRichardson]

Exactly, playing fast is the best way to get advantages!

[@simonhollis5256]

Respect, and nice jumpshot

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thank you!

[@MrSheduur]

Hey man, after watching a couple vids of yours I actually looked into you and Nokia and I am certain that you should try and get into ProA or ProB in germany. Pay is similar, weather and mentality is closer to americans and the chance to get picked up on the radar of scouts for the big league is massively higher, while the level of play should be just a touch above the finnish league, so perfect way to grow with the game and keep improving at a steady pace. Would love to see you be part of Bayer Giants Leverkusen as they are my hometeam, they used to be serial champs in germany and are currently playing ProB. They have a history of giving american players a chance and probably the best infrastructure around the club from all of the teams not currently in the first division of german basketball.

[@TuckerRichardson]

I would love to play in Germany one day, we will see!

[@DrClumber]

I grew up as a basketball playing teenager in the Netherlands during the nineties. We did have a semi-professional league, but it wasn't particularly well developed or popular and it never struck me that basketball might be a career (despite seeing big Rick Smits in a Pacers uniform!). A lot of kids grow up dreaming they will make it as a pro without understanding what it is that makes a pro. I certainly didn't know because there were no role models you could follow online like you can now. You sir, are a role model, your positivity is infectious and I am looking forward to seeing where you can take your career. Are you hoping to make it to the Euro League at some point? Playing in Greece is an entirely different experience to playing in Finland!

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thank you, my goal is to inspire and give out as much information as I can to younger hoopers. I would love to play in the Euro League of course, my goal is to play at the highest level I possibly can.

[@bartek6039]

Great vid

[@TuckerRichardson]

Thank you!

[@arashkordi7771]

Bro... Goran Dragic... ever heard that one? :D nice vid!

[@TuckerRichardson]

Haha for sure

[@arashkordi7771]

@@TuckerRichardson Im really looking forward to more of your videos! REally interesting! Keep it up!

[@xywm]

your videos have been super helpful for me starting my basketball journey

[@TuckerRichardson]

That is great to hear!

[@thankg9937]

hope to see you in euroleague

[@TuckerRichardson]

That would be very cool!

[@Nonametrustmenoscam]

Nice video🔥🔥 and have you think re signing to Nokia?

[@TuckerRichardson]

Still not sure about plans for next year.

[@dimitristhomas7066]

Congrats! Are you coming back next season? How many non Finnish players are allowed to each team? What about European competitions like Eurocup, Champions league? The level of young kids/academies?

[@TuckerRichardson]

I don't know exactly how many guys are allowed on each team. We had about 10 Finnish guys on ours. Would love to play on a team that competes in European competitions! And Nokia, where I was last year, had a large program for younger players.

[@Sam_Ostrowshorts]

I have a video idea, it would be on how to have a basketball mind in the means of taking random things you see in the world and figuring out how that could help you in basketball

[@TuckerRichardson]

That is actually a really interesting idea!

[@Sam_Ostrowshorts]

@@TuckerRichardson thanks

[@utar-kc1dg]

I think you can make video about how to protect youself keep out of injury

[@TuckerRichardson]

Very interesting yet complicated topic!

[@cordova2593]

stretch your entire body use dyamic stretches before games or workouts, static stretches on their own time. Then work on gainig mobility and strength in lengthened positions. Use isometrics. One underrated thing is working on your overall toe, and ankle mobility. It helps with balance and stability. Also make sure to work on your core. Not just the core workouts you see on youtube but the ones that help with stability.

[@korrelldozier7655]

Have you ever thought of trying to maybe get into nba summer league? I saw a stories on dalton knecht, I feel like that could be you one day.

[@TuckerRichardson]

Maybe one day, would be a great opportunity!

[@julienb571]

Just a small comment, it would have been nice to put the list of the nine things and time in the description. Or to add chapters in the video. It just makes it easier to understand and not miss one of the nine things. Or you should more clearly say, number four or the fifth thing is... to show the list of items in the transcript. And another thing, you should interview your teammates or coaches in new videos, would be nice new content about a pro basketball team and living in the nordics. 😅😊 Thx, keep the videos going... 👍😎

[@TuckerRichardson]

This is great feedback, thank you! I wanted to keep it simple and really let this video just flow from one point to the next, but I completely agree with what you are saying. And I have a video coming out soon that is more of an interview style, so stay tuned!

[@wesweswes]

Hey Tucker! I’ve been wondering: When you retire from sports do you plan on leveraging your pro career to get a job in something basketball related like coaching, or are you planning on doing something more related to your college major? I guess I’m really wondering what a post basketball career life looks like for an American playing at your level, because that’s not something people seem to talk about.

[@TuckerRichardson]

Yeah, I honestly have no idea how long I want to play or what I will do after I am done playing, but it makes a lot of sense to do something in the basketball world. I have been lucky to build so many amazing connections and get so much great experience over the years, and basketball is my passion!

[@3ktre243]

I really appreciate these videos. I don't wanna go pro, but how can I domintate in high school as a smaller player? Any tips?

[@TuckerRichardson]

Might make a video on this soon. You definitely have to be very aggressive to dominate!

[@user-zy4cx5pb6d]

Hey man, what are those books on your shelf behind you? Trying to read about basketball

[@TuckerRichardson]

Yeah a few basketball books. One of my favorites there is the Mamba Mentality which is of course about Kobe's mindset.

[@chalabes3]

What about the warriors Richardson jersey you posted on your story 👀

[@TuckerRichardson]

I got invited to a mini camp out in Golden State. Was an incredible opportunity!

[@spobpopicle921]

I have an hour of time in a room by myself with a rebound machine. I practice 2’s and 3’s but idk where to go from there

[@TuckerRichardson]

That is great, keep working on your shot. It is the most important skill!

[@alexmagic8934]

Hello from Germany. Maybe you'll play in Germany next season .👍

[@TuckerRichardson]

Hello!

[@CarlosSantos-ju8ct]

come to Benfica

[@Connor_Duncan]

Are you staying in Finland next season or are you going to another country next?

[@TuckerRichardson]

We will see very soon!

[@emmanueljohnson4647]

How was the journey to getting over there like was there a tryout or agents?

[@TuckerRichardson]

Yes, I have an agent!

[@Ballers94]

Come to fc Porto in Portugal please😁😁

[@camdenlechtenberg1752]

Hey Tucker I always keep track of my points and stuff in my head while I am playing basketball I know it’s bad to do that but how do I stop doing that?

[@TuckerRichardson]

It is really difficult, you have to find ways to stay present during the game and just focus on the next play or next shot.

[@camdenlechtenberg1752]

@@TuckerRichardson ok thanks man

[@camdenlechtenberg1752]

Hey tucker I know this is also bad but how can I stop saying if I don’t score 15 points a game I did bad. How do I stop doing that?

[@TuckerRichardson]

Just focus on the things that are in your control, like getting offensive rebounds or deflection or playing hard, and if you do those things well all of the time then y you can tell yourself you played well!

[@stayonthecourt]

Another great video. Something to note for younger players and perhaps an idea for another video. Look at Tucker's feet on all those 3's. Very consistent and almost always on balance. Move over Austin Reaves, NBA could use another 6'5" sharp shooter. Thanks again for making time during your play off run to be on the Stay On The Court Podcast kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpmmiWiCpd-am5I

[@TuckerRichardson]

Very true, still something I am continuing to work on as well! Had a great time on the pod, everyone go check it out!

[@chalabes3]

Where will you play next season?

[@TuckerRichardson]

Still not sure yet!

[@user-hw9ie7tn7u]

Hey tucker how's life going

[@TuckerRichardson]

Life is good, how about you?

[@user-hw9ie7tn7u]

Pretty good

[@_m07am3d_9]

What shoes do you play in?

[@TuckerRichardson]

This year I mostly played in Kyrie's.

[@HoopsyToons]

Do you take a sauna alot

[@TuckerRichardson]

All the time!

[@HoopingProductions]

How tall r you and is this the major league in Finland?

[@TuckerRichardson]

This is the top league in Finland. I am 6' 5"!

[@HoopingProductions]

@@TuckerRichardson cool!

[@Goofyahh0988]

how to get better shooting

[@TuckerRichardson]

Oof, now that is a big topic!

[@Nonametrustmenoscam]

Are you gonna play in Champions league games?

[@TuckerRichardson]

I would love to!

[@mercedup]

Jesus Christ loves yall man

[@Turkulens]

5:00 i hear what ur saying but that was just a terrible possesion, lucky yall ended up with an and1 opportunity, but yall were up 4 with excactly a minute to go, in my opinion hold the ball🤷‍♂

[@TuckerRichardson]

Haha probably true, but it all worked out in the end...

[@creativecaddie]

hey tucker can you speak Finnish?

[@TuckerRichardson]

I know a few words haha. The language is very difficult to learn!

[@user-hw9ie7tn7u]

Were u a starter

[@TuckerRichardson]

Yes I was!

[@user-hw9ie7tn7u]

Were u like the third best on the team

[@jimppa2822]

​@@user-hw9ie7tn7uhe was the second best but in my opinion the best

[@PacmanBrunner]

Bet nobody can dunk over there lls

[@TuckerRichardson]

You think?