Written By: Jerome Fitts

On April 17, 2026, Eugene Campbell released a self-published guide titled “The Overseas Basketball Survival Guide: How to Protect Yourself, Get Paid, and Get Home Safely,” reflecting on his professional basketball career and experiences thus far. Needless to say, (WJ-Jerome) was privy to this information during the last segment of a video-recorded interview.

Interesting.

Due to Campbell’s experiences up to this point, after leaving Jordan, he and his team accepted a temporary contract that brought him back to Jordan, and one can assume that these events inspired the creation of the professional basketball overseas guidebook. It is indeed a worthwhile read, and several points deserve attention.

Before the second half of the millennium, when rumours often spread through word of mouth and were taken as advice, it is safe to say that thousands of players from the land of the free would have had stories to share.

Some stories can be inspiring, while others may be quite disturbing, depending on the aspiring player who seeks advice. It is also important to recognise that listening to opinions in 2026 will depend on the translator’s agenda. This raises the question: “What is the purpose of sharing personal experiences, and why are stories based on these experiences told?”

Each person’s journey is unique, and teams continue to persist despite challenges. Most professional basketball contracts for American players are structured as week-to-week, month-to-month, or 40% full-season deals (FIBA, 2025). It is a common occurrence that it has little to do with the player’s talent.

In April 2026, Campbell accepted a short-term contract to return to Jordan from Premier League team Al Inglizia, a country where he had built a strong reputation as a reliable foreign player. His presence on any team signified that the club would gain significant value. However, as previously mentioned, the consistency of basketball clubs can vary, as well as their organisational ethics.

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To coincide with the video-recorded interview, Campbell stated emphatically, “The agent I was signed with during my tenure in Tunisia referred me to the team. However, after that, the team I was playing for in Lebanon, Hrajel Tadamon, cancelled their season due to the Israel/U.S. and Iran war.

I found myself idle and ended up training in Greece with a top-tier team, thanks to my cousin being part of that team. I thought, ‘Why not?’ I’ve always been advised to keep moving forward and build a resume of productivity, act professionally, and, above all, show respect to the country I’m in. At this club, the game was solid, and my statistics were promising.” Campbell paused briefly as he reflected on his experience.

“I was initially contracted for two weeks, with the possibility of continuing for the rest of the season. The financial offer was attractive, and I had a good rapport with Jordan from my previous time there. However, I had barely unpacked my clothes when I was informed that my services were no longer needed,” Eugene said with a stern expression.

At this point in the interview, the tone changed, as this experience was at an early stage of trauma recovery. We (WJ) felt it was necessary to take a brief pause and requested to publish this story in three separate parts. The following week, which marked Eugene Campbell’s second week after returning to the United States, he was asked, “Shall we continue?”

Readers should note that Eugene Campbell’s professional status was brought to our attention because of his experience playing the last time in March 2026. Looking more relaxed and steadfastly focused, he continued.

“Look, I understand that teams have the right of refusal, even when my productivity is solid—it is ultimately their choice. The team notified me and confirmed they would pay me the agreed-upon wage, as well as cover my return flight to America.”

One would think they would also provide accommodation until this process was completed. However, here’s the issue: “First and foremost, I had to constantly follow up with them for my payment and flight. Secondly, there was no water or meals provided, despite their promises,” Campbell expressed with disappointment.

Eugene Campbell, as 90% of the public would do, took to social media to announce that he was stranded in Jordan. This was a country situated between Israel and Iran, and he was stuck in a cold apartment with no running water and limited food. Campbell had been signed as an American player based on the trust placed in his agent.

Understandably, he had no choice but to ask for help to return home, and he insisted on receiving the money he was owed.

After his social media post and a GoFundMe campaign, the club not only halted their social media accounts but also covered the cost of his return flight and the money promised to him. As for the agent? Rumours suggest he has buried his head in the sand somewhere in the Middle East.

Since the story broke before WJ’s involvement, Eugene Campbell has maintained an open-door policy without mentioning any names. He has spoken highly of the players he played with this past season and has consistently contributed to his community, which supported him during challenging times. This community involvement has not been a one-time event but rather a regular occurrence.

Eugene Campbell’s journey continues as he leads his nonprofit organisation, Walkin Our Shoes, which is steadily growing. He is currently searching for a new team, much like other players in America who are navigating the foreign market.

Unfortunately, both positive and negative stories will persist, and the opportunistic behaviour of agents who exploit players’ dreams will continue as well. Additionally, there will still be makeshift basketball clubs that do just enough to register with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Our closing statement or question is: “Who is responsible for regulating these intentions?” It appears that in Campbell’s recent experience, certain individuals attempted to steal the ball from the wrong player. He managed to shake them off, took a Euro step, and dunked successfully.

The momentum continues to build through the responsible book “The Overseas Basketball Survival Guide: How to Protect Yourself, Get Paid, and Get Home Safely.