If you’ve ever dreamed of playing basketball at the highest level, there are several things you need to know. Whether you’re a high school player looking for your first professional contract or an experienced professional hoping to make a quick jump to the NBA, these tips will help you.
High school players
Many high school athletes dream of a professional basketball career. Some have even forgo college in order to get a shot. Unfortunately, they often end up with nothing. It’s no wonder that many sports fans don’t understand the probability of a successful pro sports career.
The first step towards becoming an NBA player is to graduate from high school. You can also attend college for a year and still be drafted. However, this doesn’t always translate to success in the NBA.
For one thing, your high school experience doesn’t give you the same knowledge that a college education provides. Also, you may not have the right teammates.
Fortunately, the league has taken measures to make the transition easier. A new “professional path program” places players on teams designed to develop the best of the best.
Another measure was to raise the minimum age to 19 years old for draft eligibility. This was done to increase the level of play in the league.
In addition, the rule was implemented to protect players and ensure they were healthy enough to play 80 games in a season. Those who are eligible are paid a minimum salary during their only season in the NBA.
However, the rules have been tossed around a lot. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is in the works and it could be changed soon. Hopefully, the new CBA will allow high school players to be drafted directly out of high school.
Until then, you’ll have to wait four years after high school graduation to become an NBA player. And while you’re at it, you’ll have to pass a physical exam. Getting drafted to the NBA is no small feat.
Summer league
If you are looking to make a name for yourself, you may want to think about becoming an NBA player in the summer league. During the tournament, you can showcase your skills to teams and fans, and you might even get the chance to play for your dream team. However, it is important to remember that becoming an NBA player doesn’t come easily.
In fact, most players who make it to the NBA don’t necessarily have a great deal of talent. Rather, they have to be willing to give up their time and money. The NBA summer league is one of the few places you can get your foot in the door.
Summer league games feature younger, undrafted players, with the goal being to scout their abilities. In addition, the league also gives free agents the opportunity to showcase their skills.
There are two main summer leagues, the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City leagues. Each has their own unique set of rules, but they all feature the same basic format.
The Las Vegas league requires four preliminary games. These games determine the seeding. For example, a team with a record of two wins and two losses is ranked first. They then play a series of games, and the winner is the team with the best overall performance. This year, the Portland Trail Blazers were crowned Summer League champions.
Unlike traditional NBA matches, Summer League games are played in less-than-perfect conditions. The league is hosted on the campus of the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
Attendees at the Summer League include teams, coaches and general managers. Games can last for five or more minutes, with multiple five-minute overtime periods.
Draft-and-stash prospects
As the draft approaches, teams are looking to defer their selection with a “draft and stash” strategy. This is a way to hold onto a second round pick, while allowing them to trade that pick for another.
There are a few ways to do this, but one is to defer your pick. Another is to package your second round selection with a foreign prospect. If you choose this route, the Boston Celtics could be a prime candidate for stashing a second rounder with their 53rd overall pick.
The NBA draft often focuses on superstars, but it is also a great time to pick players with potential. For example, Ibou Badji is a 7’1″ big man with a +7 wingspan. He is a terrific athlete with a strong frame, innate rim protection instincts, and an impressive screener. His back-to-basket abilities make him a great fit for the Celtics.
Another player that should be on your radar is Gabriele Procida. A 6’7″ 215 pound point guard from Fortitudo Bologna in Italy, Procida is a legit prospect who isn’t yet ready for the full-time grind of the NBA. However, his shotmaking and solid building blocks should help him develop into a top tier NBA player.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a number of international prospects that should be on your radar. Several have played in the G League and are known to be high potential, but others are more obscure.
One of the biggest draws is the fact that these players do not count against the NBA salary cap. They can stay with their international team until they are ready to join an NBA team.
The NBA Draft and Stash will be an ever-growing part of the league. Players that fall into this category will be long-shots, but they will eventually make it to the big leagues.
Getting a college scholarship
One of the most important things a student can do to get a college scholarship to become an NBA player is to work on his/her academics. There are many people who don’t understand how important their grades are to their future career.
If you’re serious about pursuing a basketball career, you should begin working on your academics early in high school. A great way to do this is to sign up with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Once you have registered, it’s time to start gathering the documents you’ll need to apply for a basketball scholarship. This includes your transcripts and test scores. You’ll also want to have a good look at the schools you’re interested in.
Once you have your documents in order, you’re ready to start contacting coaches and other athletic officials. They’ll be able to help you find the right school for you.
Visiting colleges and obtaining references are two of the best ways to increase your chances of obtaining a basketball scholarship. Attending showcases and summer camps are also helpful.
College coaches will be able to tell you what they’re looking for in an athlete. They’ll want someone who can help them improve their team’s performance. Recruiters will also want to see how hard you’ve worked to improve your skills.
You can increase your chances of getting a college scholarship to become an NBA player by making sure that you have a physical appearance that will appeal to recruiters. You’ll also need to have a high quality highlight video on hand.
In addition, you’ll need to make sure that your attitude towards your coach is positive. College coaches are expecting professional behavior from their players.
Developing a relationship with your players
Developing a relationship with your players is important for several reasons. For starters, players will inevitably have to adapt to a fast paced environment. Having a strong camaraderie will not only make for better teammates, it will go a long way towards improving your team’s chances of making the postseason. This can be done in many ways, such as by providing positive role models to look up to. Similarly, giving players the tools to succeed individually will go a long way towards keeping your team at the top of their game.
However, building a lasting bond with your players requires more than a little chutzpah and a fair amount of patience. You’ll have to take the time to learn about your players, find out what motivates them, and figure out if you can be a mentor or not. If you can, keep it light and fun, and your players will thank you for it. A happy team will result in more wins and less stress.
Likewise, it’s a good idea to have a strategy for getting your players to see each other as individuals. This can be accomplished through small group chats and video conferences. While the former is not for everyone, it is an effective strategy for a number of players.