ATHENS, GREECE ― The early stages of the pro basketball careers for former UNCW basketball standouts Mike Okauru and CJ Bryce have followed a path that may seem circuitous but are very familiar for American hoopsters overseas.

Bryce has played in four countries in four years – Hungary, Germany, Russia, and this season in Greece. A guard from Raleigh, Okauru has received paychecks in the Czech Republic, France and now England in his three seasons since leaving Wilmington .

Many Americans with a Division I pedigree move around from country to country, seeking better competition and a higher salary overseas in the top domestic leagues in Europe, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Turkey.

“I think it is exciting in a sense. You are living in new cultures and meeting new people,

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