Andrew Pace
USA Select Basketball is a fraternity of retired international basketball players who help younger players get their start in the sport. The program is composed of athletes who have completed their college/NCAA eligibility and are looking for professional contracts internationally. Players are evaluated based on their marketability and ability to secure professional contracts. They are taken on tour to play top teams in Europe in a series of preseason games, scrimmages, and tournaments. In the past, USA Select Basketball has helped players secure their first professional basketball contracts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To help athletes who have completed their college/NCAA eligibility secure professional contracts internationally |
| Player Evaluation | Based on ability to market them and help them secure professional contracts |
| Camps | Mini camps in various locations, followed by a final selection camp in June |
| Player Selection | Based on performance at camps |
| Player Backgrounds | Varied, including players from smaller programs and schools |
| Tour | Players are taken to Europe to play preseason games, scrimmages, tournaments, and auditions |
| Opponents | Top European teams from France, Finland, Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, and England |
| Notable Events | "Tournoi International Moise Millois", "International Basketball Challenge", and "ReMax International Classic" |
| Sponsorship | A large part of the tour is sponsored, but players pay for their flights and rail passes |
| Success | Many players have secured their first professional contracts through the program |
| Mentorship | Retired international players help younger players get their start |
| Relationships | Decades-long relationships with teams, owners, agents, and coaches across Europe |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- USA Select Basketball is a fraternity of retired international players helping young players get a start
- Players are evaluated on their ability to market them and secure professional contracts
- Players attend mini camps across the country, with the selected few invited to a final selection camp
- The organisation has connections with teams, owners, agents and coaches all over Europe
- USA Select Basketball has helped players secure their first professional contracts
USA Select Basketball is a fraternity of retired international players helping young players get a start
USA Select Basketball is a fraternity of retired international basketball players who help young players get a start in their professional careers. The program is composed of athletes who have completed their college/NCAA eligibility and are seeking professional contracts internationally.
USA Select Basketball holds a series of ""tryout" camps where players from all backgrounds are evaluated. The selected players are then taken on a tour to play against some of the top teams in Europe in a series of exhibition games, with the aim of creating contract opportunities. These tours have proven successful in helping players secure their first professional basketball contracts. The organization has connections with teams, owners, agents, and coaches across Europe, which they utilize to help young players get their foot in the door.
Players in the program have come from a variety of schools, including Duke University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Appalachian State University, and Oregon State University. USA Select Basketball also works with smaller programs such as Belmont Abbey College and Virginia Union.
The organization's success stories include Malcolm Smith, who signed with the Newcastle Eagles, and Jax Bouknight, who signed with the Reading Rockets. Other players have gone on to have successful careers in Europe, such as Ashley, who pursued a master's degree while playing professionally, and Leo, who became a pro in several countries.
USA Select Basketball also provides an opportunity for younger players to gain experience and exposure, similar to a farm system, where they can showcase their talents and potentially be selected for future USA teams. This aspect of the program allows Team USA to scout for future talent and gives young players a chance to learn from experienced coaches.
Ball Brothers: A Basketball Legacy in the Making
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Players are evaluated on their ability to market them and secure professional contracts
USA Select Basketball is a program that evaluates players based on their marketability and potential to secure professional contracts. The program is composed of athletes who have completed their college/NCAA eligibility and are seeking professional opportunities internationally.
The selection process involves a series of "tryout" camps where players from various backgrounds are evaluated. The players who are chosen from these initial camps are then invited to a final selection camp, which usually takes place in June. This final evaluation camp is a 2-day event that is frequented by scouts, general managers, and coaches from international teams and leagues. While players may be offered contracts during the camp, the primary focus is on evaluation rather than immediate contract offers.
The selected players then form an international travel team that tours Europe and participates in preseason games, scrimmages, tournaments, and auditions. USA Select Basketball has played against top European teams from various countries, including France, Finland, Ireland, Germany, and England. These tours have proven successful in creating contract opportunities for players seeking their first professional basketball contracts.
The program has a diverse range of athletes from various schools and programs. Notable schools include Duke University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Appalachian State University, and many others. The input and involvement of experienced former professional players, such as Ricky Pitts and Delaney Rudd, further enhance the program's reputation and the opportunities it provides for aspiring professional basketball players.
Shoe Carnival: Basketball Shoes Availability and Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Players attend mini camps across the country, with the selected few invited to a final selection camp
USA Select Basketball is a basketball program that offers athletes who have completed their college/NCAA eligibility a chance to pursue professional basketball contracts internationally. The program holds a series of "tryout" camps across the country, where players from various backgrounds are evaluated. These mini camps are an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and secure a spot at the final selection camp, which is usually held in June.
The mini camps are open to players from different educational backgrounds and basketball experience levels. Players from schools such as Duke University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Belmont Abbey College, and Virginia Union have participated in the program. The camps are not solely for elite players, as even those from smaller programs or without college basketball experience are given a chance to attend.
The selected players from the mini camps are invited to the final selection camp, where they undergo further evaluation. This camp is frequented by scouts, general managers, and coaches from international teams and leagues. While players may be offered contracts during this camp, the primary focus is on evaluation rather than immediate recruitment.
The players chosen for the international travel team then embark on a tour to Europe, where they play preseason games, scrimmages, and tournaments against top European teams. This tour provides an opportunity for the players to gain exposure and impress international scouts, potentially leading to professional contracts. USA Select Basketball has had successful outcomes in the past, with many players securing their first professional basketball contracts through these tours.
Jennifer Williams: Age and Life Beyond Basketball Wives
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The organisation has connections with teams, owners, agents and coaches all over Europe
USA Select Basketball is a legitimate organisation composed of retired international basketball players who help athletes who have completed their college/NCAA eligibility and are looking for professional contracts internationally. The organisation creates a travel team that tours Europe, playing a series of preseason games, scrimmages, tournaments, and auditions against top European teams.
The organisation has developed connections with teams, owners, agents, and coaches all over Europe over several decades. These relationships are leveraged to help players get their foot in the door and jump-start their professional careers. USA Select Basketball has a vast network and has been successful in helping players secure their first contracts.
The organisation's website mentions that they have played top European teams from France, Finland, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, and England. They have participated in prestigious tournaments such as the "Tournoi International Moise Millois" in Gravelines, France, the "International Basketball Challenge" in London, England, and the "ReMax International Classic" in Cardiff, Wales.
USA Select Basketball also holds mini camps in various locations across the country, which are attended by players aspiring to be selected for the team. These camps are frequented by scouts, GMs, and coaches from international teams and leagues, providing further opportunities for players to be noticed and evaluated.
The organisation has a track record of helping players from a variety of backgrounds secure professional contracts. They evaluate players based on their marketability and work to help them build connections and gain exposure. USA Select Basketball's success stories include players like Malcolm, who got picked up during the tour and has been a pro for three years, and Larry, a high-scoring D3 player who secured his first contract after the Exposure Tour.
The NBA: Rigged or Real?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
USA Select Basketball has helped players secure their first professional contracts
USA Select Basketball is a program designed to help basketball players who have completed their college/NCAA eligibility secure professional contracts internationally. The program is composed of retired international players who help younger players get a start in their professional careers. Through a series of tryout camps, players from all backgrounds are evaluated and selected to join the international travel team.
The travel team then tours Europe, playing preseason games, scrimmages, tournaments, and auditions against some of the top teams. These tours have been highly successful in helping players secure their first professional basketball contracts. USA Select Basketball leverages its relationships with teams, owners, agents, and coaches across Europe to help players get their foot in the door.
One example of a player who benefited from the program is Malcolm Smith, who signed with the Newcastle Eagles for the 2025-2026 season. Malcolm came from a mid-major program and needed exposure, which he gained through the USA Select Basketball tour. Another success story is that of Larry, who came to USA Select Basketball as a high-scoring D3 player with no exposure or relationships in the industry. The program helped him secure his first contract after their Exposure Tour.
Additionally, Ashley, who dreamed of becoming a pro, was helped by USA Select Basketball to secure his first pro contract and obtain a master's degree in Europe. Cordaris, from a small school, found the start of a great career through the program, and Leo, a versatile player with no exposure, became a pro in several countries. These examples demonstrate the impact of USA Select Basketball in helping players secure their first professional contracts and launching their international basketball careers.
Wildcats' Championship Legacy: Celebrating Kentucky's Basketball Dynasty
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
US Select Basketball is a fraternity of retired international basketball players who help younger players get their start in professional basketball.
US Select Basketball helps younger players by leveraging their relationships with teams, owners, agents, and coaches all over Europe to help players get their foot in the door and jump-start their professional careers.
US Select Basketball has helped players such as Malcolm Smith, Jax Bouknight, Larry, Ashley, Cordaris, Leo, and Nick.
