The Daily Northwestern – Euro trip (Men’s basketball):
“Northwestern coach Bill Carmody has been fortunate not to have his three Croatian players — Vedran Vukusic, Davor Duvancic and Ivan Tolic — cave into the temptations of leaving school early to return home and to play in the European professional leagues.
“But Penn State coach Ed DeChellis was not so lucky. When the Nittany Lions face the Wildcats on Saturday in Welsh-Ryan Arena, DeChellis will be without his leading scorer from last season.
Jan Jagla decided to leave the Nittany Lions following his junior season and is now playing professionally in his native country of Germany.
“The prospect of being able to play professionally close to home in a familiar style of basketball is too appealing to turn down for many European players.
“Across the conference, Big Ten coaches are losing players to the European professional leagues, which offer lucrative contracts and an alternative route to the NBA.
“‘I think young guys will continue to leave,’ DeChellis said. ‘The NBA has gotten so involved with European basketball. It’s a huge feeding ground. Basketball is becoming more popular in Europe every year, which means they’re paying kids more money and the exposure is greater.’ …”