For aspiring college basketball players looking to compete at the highest levels, the pinnacle of a playing career is often signing a professional contract. Whether they are playing in the NBA or overseas, athletes dream of earning a paycheck while competing in the sport they love most. Art Morrison III understands this feeling well: The former professional basketball star played in European leagues before injuries ended his career. 

Although he loved playing basketball professionally, the experience also gave Morrison III keen insight into the business of overseas basketball. More than that, it showed him the volatile nature of the business - and why players should always look for new and different ways to further their brand and career outside of basketball. Now, Morrison III is sharing his expertise with other current and former professional athletes, helping them leverage their unique skills and unquestioned drive to launch businesses, learn to invest, and ultimately gain financial freedom. It is a mission that drives Morrison III every day, empowering other athletes to avoid the pitfalls of overseas basketball and build a strong career even while they play.

"There are a lot of holes in overseas basketball, it is very volatile," Morrison III says. "You might have a guy come along on a motorcycle and slip an envelope of cash under your door, and you might go several months without getting paid. You need to be planning your future before you even start playing overseas."

One of the dangers of overseas basketball is the promise that it holds as a stepping stone to higher-level leagues, even the NBA. Because of this allure, players will often make risky financial decisions for the chance to chase their dreams. 

"There are contracts available overseas where they will not pay you other than food, transportation, and a room," Morrison III says. "People will fight for a contract like that because of the steppingstone mentality that if I take the contract and really crush it, I can move up. It is nothing like you think it will be growing up."

Of course, Morrison III explains, there are many positives to playing overseas as well. Athletes gain exposure and experience, get to play the sport they love, and see new parts of the world. The key, Morrison III says, is to not make basketball your sole income stream. That is where Morrison III uses his experience and business acumen to advise other professional athletes. While you are playing professionally, you should also engage in other financial pursuits. 

"You can't play basketball 40 hours a week, even intense training might be 4-5 hours a day," Morrison III says. "Every basketball player has time and resources, so an athlete today should be planning what I call their parallel career. Because of the volatility of playing professionally, you shouldn't plan for after your career but while you are still playing."

By creating a parallel career, athletes free themselves from the challenging, often cutthroat nature of the sports industry. Instead of fighting for a spot on a team and accepting little to no pay, a player can choose the best option regardless of compensation. When you untether your income from your basketball career, the opportunities become endless, Morrison III says.

"If you start real estate investing in college, now you have an asset that is growing in value while you play overseas," Morrison III says. "Now, it doesn't really matter if a team pays you or not, you can keep fighting for your dream while you make money. It empowers people to dream bigger."

Morrison III has dedicated himself to mentoring athletes who want to develop their skills as entrepreneurs and real estate investors. In doing so, he is creating a dynamic community of current and former players who want to experience financial freedom. For Morrison III, it is a particularly meaningful way to show players that despite the volatility of professional basketball, you can still chase your dreams and generate wealth at the same time.

"Playing overseas is tough. I have been there, and I want you to be great at it," Morrison III says. "There is a way that can help you be great at it by securing not only your future, but your present."

Art Morrison III is a former professional basketball player, entrepreneur, coach, and author. To learn more about his background and success - including access to his highly-acclaimed Real Estate Roadmap Mentorship Program, visit artmorrisoniii.com.