Ruben Wolkowisky is very happy in Russia as a member of title-chasing BC Khimki.

The 32-year-old from Chaco, Argentina, Wolkowisky has sampled basketball in South America, the United States and all over Europe.

The Superleague and EuroCup has been a nice fit for the 2.08m center, a player who will play big minutes for Argentina next year at the FIBA World Championship.

His fellow national team star Emanuel Ginobili is adding to his legend with the San Antonio Spurs while Andres Nocioni is trying to establish himself in Chicago with the Bulls.

		“	Here in Russia, they (the club) give me everything - house, car, private plane, everything	„
		Ruben Wolkowisky

Wolkowisky identifies more with the situations Carlos Delfino and Fabricio Oberto find themselves in with the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs, respectively.

Both are early in their NBA careers but so far, neither has made an impact. Wolkowisky played for the Seattle Supersonics and the Boston Celtics in a brief NBA spell.

He ultimately left the US to play in Europe.

In an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, Wolkowisky doesn't pull any punches when discussing his time in the ultra-competitive NBA.

"In the NBA, they use you and it's very difficult to get used to being used," he said.

"You train, you make a sacrifice, you go here and there playing almost every night and then you play only two or three minutes.

"In the NBA, the only men who play more are the ones with the better contracts. The ones who are paid worse go to the bench."

Oberto, who like Wolkowisky, Ginobili and Delfino captured gold at the Olympics in Athens, decided it was time to leave Spanish basketball after last season.

He had been a star with Pamesa Valencia but decided it was time to take a chance and try his luck in the NBA.

The minutes have been sparse for Oberto, which is not surprising considering he backs up Tim Duncan.

"He plays only two minutes per game," Wolkowisky said.

"It doesn't matter to him because it's a new experience he's always wanted to live, so he's getting used to it, but he will eventually feel it. There's a moment you can't stand being on the bench anymore."

The NBA will always be the promised land for most basketball players, though.

It's the league all of the stars watched as boys. Many fell in love with the sport because of the famous showdowns between Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics' Larry Bird.

They watched as Michael Jordan took the game to new heights with the high-flying Chicago Bulls.

The level of play has improved in European leagues, though. Some players can earn more money.

Fran Vazquez was a lottery pick last summer by the Orlando Magic, but decided to remain in Spain and signed a contract with Akasvayu Girona, a deal which is understood to have been worth double what the Magic were offering.

Russian basketball, just like the football in the country, is paying big money for players, too.

Professionals like Wolkowisky certainly have more choices.

"Here in Russia, they (the club) give me everything - house, car, private plane, everything," he said.

"If you are paid as 'Manu' Ginobili, the NBA is great. If not, you're only a number."

Wolkowisky played for Quilmes, Boca and Estudiantes from Olavarria in Argentina.

He then became the first Argentinian to score points in the NBA with Seattle.

After a brief period with the Celtics, Wolkowiski left for Europe and has turned out for CSKA Moscow, Tau Ceramica, Olympiacos and now Khimki.