Former llini guard Brandon Paul chasing NBA dream in Spain

Brandon Paul feels like he's back on Illinois' campus as he gets around Badalona, Spain on his hoverboard these days.

People in the town often stop him to chat and snap pictures. They're friendly and try to assist him as he stumbles through his limited Spanish. While he's clearly not as famous as Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi, who plays 20 minutes south, this city supports its basketball team, Jovenut Badalona, and Paul is one of its best players.

"The particular city I'm in is huge for basketball," Paul, a Warren grad, said by phone recently. "They love it. If I'm walking around the city or I like to get on my little smart scooter I bought here, people recognize me. They always say hi and ask for pictures. … It brings back memories. I think the fan base out here is great.

"Spain is beautiful," he said. "It's just another blessing that I'm blessed with. I'm just continuing to ride the waves."

The life of a non-NBA professional basketball player may be best characterized as a wave. There are highs and lows. Paul is only three seasons removed from his final game for the Illini, and already he gas experienced all the levels of that.

The journey begins

After going undrafted in June 2013, Paul followed where the money took him. He signed a lucrative deal with BC Nizhny Novgorod in Russia. The money was good, but his experience was awful. He averaged 6 points and 14 minutes a game and ended up buying himself out of his contract before season's end.

Paul returned to the United States and signed with the Canton Charge of the NBA D-League in late February of 2014. He suffered a shoulder injury shortly later and was waived in March. He rejoined the Charge early in the 2014-15 season and spent nearly the entire season with them before suffering another shoulder injury and being waived in April. He averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 43 games last season.

Paul faced a dilemma as he entered this season. He could have returned to the D-League and worked toward earning an NBA call-up. His other option was to return overseas and take in a larger paycheck. Of course, there were risks in that as he learned. He turned to Dee Brown, another former Illini guard who played overseas, for advice. Brown told him Jovenut Badalona was a good spot for him.

"I just want him to realize his full potential," said Brown, who played nine professional seasons before retiring in September to join Illinois' athletic department. "When you're good at something, make sure to get paid and be in the best situation. For him, I thought it was something he needed to do for his career."

At home in Spain

Paul felt like he did enough homework and signed with Jovenut Badalona. So far, it has worked out for him on and off the court. He's averaging a team-high 15.9 points a game along with 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 24.7 minutes.

"Obviously Russia's a tougher place for a rookie to come in his first year," Paul said. "There's a lot more money in that market, but as far as living arrangements and conditions, I definitely feel like where I'm right now it's a lot better. I didn't really enjoy my time in Russia as much as I am right now. I can't really say enough good things about what I'm going through now. I really think being patient and staying positive really helped me to get where I am."

Where Paul would still like to get is the NBA. He knows it's will take proving he can consistently play at a high level and will require some luck. He has some NBA attributes like his shooting and commitment to defense, but there are also a lot of 6-foot-4 shooting guards similar to him.

Important season

Evolution Athletics trainer Jeff Pagliocca has stressed to Paul how vital this season is for him. Because Paul has yet to play a full pro season and has endured some injuries, questions remain about him.

"This is a real, real important year for him," said Pagliocca, whose clientele includes Will Bynum, Luol Deng, Patrick Beverley and Evan Turner. "This is probably the most important year he'll have in his basketball career. It'll send him one way or another. He knows how important it is. Not necessarily even going to the NBA, which is the ultimate goal, but he has to prove to the basketball world, the overseas world, that he can put a resume together, he can still get numbers."

Paul soaked in some basketball wisdom from Beverley last summer. Beverley earned his way to the NBA after playing three seasons overseas. He had stops in Ukraine, Greece and Russia before landing a spot with the Houston Rockets.

"He told me it's hard," Paul said. "I know his story. He was in Russia the same time I was in Russia, and he tells me it's just a grind. It's really hard, but once you keep working for your dream you'll get there - just stay hungry."

Paul is still clutching his dream of playing in the NBA. He remains hopeful he'll someday be able to share his success story with others.

"It's tough for everyone," Paul said. "Everyone's got different routes and different situations. For me, I definitely see that in my future."

Have basketball, will travel

Here are some former suburban hoops stars who are playing basketball for professional teams in other countries.

John Shurna: (Glenbard West, Northwestern) is playing for Valencia in Spain

Drew Crawford: (Naperville Central, Northwestern) for Bnei Hertzeliyya in Israel

Ceola Clark: (Warren, Western Illinois) for KK Tajifun Sentjur in Slovenia

Lenzelle Smith Jr.: (Zion-Bention) is playing for La Briosa Barcellona in Italy

David Simon: (Stevenson) for SK Knights in South Korea

Will Sullivan: (York) for Donar Groningen in Holland