What kid coming out of college can make $100k with just your wife and be in the middle of Europe.
Also, most of these teams provide housing, cars, etc. that are outside of the players salary. There is a good chance he doesn't have rent/house payment on top of this.
As to why not wait? My only guess is that he wanted to test the NBA first as that is his first goal. The NBA was a long shot at 22, but even longer at 23. Give it a shot, if it doesn't work out head back to Italy.
Not bad, not bad at all.