Issues Paper- Basketball globalization

My issues paper topic discusses the global spread of the game of basketball.  The stance that I plan on taking with this topic deals with how the expansion of basketball is good for the game and the world.  This paper will address globalization by giving examples and commentary on how basketball is being spread to countries other than the United States.  By the game being spread to the rest of the world, many talented players have the opportunity to come play in the top league, the NBA.  The expansion also allows for the game to become popular with the fans outside the United States.  Basketball has become a very popular sport outside the US and it continues to grow in popularity.  Many countries see that the people like the game of basketball and realize that establishing good basketball programs could lead to increase national wealth.  The countries of the world have realized that basketball is becoming one of the world’s fastest growing sports and are trying to take advantage of it.  One of the countries that has tried to take advantage of the growth of basketball is Lithuania.  Lithuania was a soccer country that didn't want anything to do with basketball, but they have grown to love the sport as a nation.  The country has put a lot of money in player development.  They have paid for nice facilities and good coaching, and they are being reward for it with a strong young basketball program.  Basketball is becoming a global game that is changing the world.