Survey For Players

Q and A: Professional Basketball Agent David Castillo (Innovative Sports Group)

I was fortunate to ask a handful of questions with Innovative Sports Group agent David Castillo to give myself and players a great perspective on what agents look for, what it takes to make it, and some general advice for players looking to get a contract.  Castillo has been highly successful in his career as an agent as he was able to learn from many great minds in his field.

ISG Agent David Castillo

1. Describe your background and how you came about being a basketball agent?  What would you recommend to those who are looking to follow in your path?

My path was fairly simple and straight forward. I knew I wanted to be an agent going into college. I got my degree in business administration with a minor in Sports Management and did some internships and mentor-ships during school with two of the biggest agencies on the west coast. I asked a lot of questions to individuals who were successful and knew I was ready after I finished school.

I would recommend individuals wanting to get into the industry to do some internships and build some long lasting relationships.

2. What kind of players do you represent, and in what leagues do they play?

I represent high level players who have played in the D-League and in high level Europe and South America. 

3. What are some attributes a player can have that make him more attractive to front offices?

Versatility is a big thing to front office staffs. Everyone wants someone who can play different positions on both ends of the court and can be used in many different ways.

4. What are some personality traits you look for in a player that you are looking to represent?

I like the individual who has a laid back and relaxed personality off the court. Someone who I won't have to worry about at 3am.

5. Where do you go to look for players?  Do you watch a lot of college basketball, go to a number of camps, or is it through connections?

It is a mixture of everything. I watch a tremendous amount of college basketball and utilize connections I have as well to contact players once they have exhausted their eligibility. I attend many camps during the summer months as well to speak with both players and front office staff members.

6. There are a lot of players out there who do not feel they need an agent, how do you respond to that?

While there are players who can find jobs for themselves, I believe you should always have someone in your corner to help mediate conflicts or issues you may have in the future with a team. It can make a situation less difficult with teams by having information coming from an agent instead of from the player directly.

7. What are some of the biggest frustrations you deal with when trying to get a player placed?

Watching a team pick a player who is not as good as the player I am offering can become frustrating at times, but it is the nature of the business.

8. Once a player is in his country, how important is it to adapt to their new culture?

It is extremely important to adapt to their new culture. It will be a place they will be living for the next 8 months or so. The faster a player can adjust off the court the faster they will be able to adjust and relax on the court.

9. If you could give one piece of advice to players striving for contracts out there, what would it be?

Don't give up; and utilize your friends who are playing on teams. Contact, make calls and don't just rely on your agent to fins jobs for you. Doing that will help improve your chances of obtaining a contract.

Q and A With Former Brown University Bear Mark MacDonald and His Transition to Professional Basketball in Germany

Playing college basketball is no easy task, particularly at the Ivy League level where academics rule supreme.  The opportunity to have questions answered by former Brown University Bear Mark MacDonald about his process was truly a pleasure.  He provides insight into his collegiate career, the challenges he faced, and ultimately how that prepared him for professional basketball in Germany.


Coming from Brown in the Ivy League, what do you say to critics that say you can't consistently win without athletic scholarships and high academic standards?

Well, being a mid-major program it's tough enough to compete against BCS schools who obviously attract top-notch talent out of high school. Yes, not having scholarships along with the challenges of the academic index make it harder for Ivy League coaches to get the players they want and need. However, it's not impossible as Cornell proved this past year and others such as Princeton and Penn have proved in the past. In my career at Brown we beat Northwestern and Providence, not because we were more talented or athletic, but because we were extremely disciplined, team oriented and skilled. For any Ivy League team to compete these components need to be present.  This past year, Cornell had all of those traits and were extra special because they had some exceptional basketball players as well.

How much more difficult do you believe it is to attend an Ivy League institution and be a student athlete than it would be in the BCS conferences?

It's tough for me to speak on this issue because I've never been a student-athlete at a BCS school. I would imagine that both institutions have their different difficulties though. During the Ivy League season we play on Friday and Saturday nights.  This enables us to attend almost all of our classes in the second semester but
sometimes when after playing 30+ minutes and taking a 4 hour bus ride to the next school your legs don't make the trip with you. Then again playing in the Ivy League we don't have the pressure of earning a scholarship every year.
I imagine the intensity of our academics is higher that a lot of schools but then again there are some great academic BCS schools. In my experience college was what you made of it. I will tell you a lot of Freshman basketball players came into Brown looking to study pre-med or engineering and all the veterans let them know early it's just a matter of time before they chose academics over basketball or switched to a more manageable major and continued to play.  There just isn't enough time.

What were a couple of your favorite memories while playing at Brown? 

My favorite memories were just being with my teammates on and off the court.  I have some really great friends that I made while playing at Brown, especially from the team during my senior year when we set the school record for wins.  We are still in touch and about 10 of us talk everyday in a BBM group.  It keeps my days over here interesting, especially when the group is filled with guys doing so many different things. Some are in college, law school, business school, on Wall St., and we have 3 guys currently playing overseas.
It's pretty cool because I think any of us could be in the other shoes so it's like we are all experiencing it together. My favorite basketball memory had to be during my sophomore year when we celebrated the 100th year of Brown Basketball during a game vs. Yale.  We won in front of a full house packed with Brown basketball players from different decades. Afterward, we had a huge banquet to celebrate the 100 years and the win over one of our rivals. It was a pretty special event.

What arena did you enjoy visiting?

I loved playing at Michigan St. The Izzone gave it to us pretty good. We made for good heckling material.

Mark MacDonald (55) receiving a pass and attempting a shot at the 2010 Pro Player Video Exposure Camp

How has your game translated to the process of playing in exposure camps and ultimately professionally in Germany?

Exposure camps are always a stretch for my game.  Being a big man you have to hope you get placed with some guards who understand and want to play team basketball, not just try to make a name for himself by breaking someone down off the dribble or showing their range. On top of that, I don't have an off the charts verticle so I'm not going to open any eyes jumping out of the gym. I just try to play hard, hit the boards and hit the shots that are given to me.  I really like the European game and my game translates well. I'm most comfortable facing up and running a lot of pick and rolls makes that easy to do.

Describe your emotions when you were offered a roster spot with Recklinghausen.  Where were you when you heard?

It was great, I didn't believe that it finally came true. Basketball has been a long uncertain path for me as of late, but since playing with the New York Athletic Club in the New York City summer circuit I knew I'd want to get back in. Getting the chance to play with and against pros from the NBA and various European leagues reminded me that I have a talent and not to give up on it before I was really comfortable letting go. I want to play for as long as I can now! I'm not really sure where I was but I was sitting on some other potential
offers when it came in. After those fell through I was at home in Lexington, Mass with my Dad and girlfriend when I told them I was headed to Germany to play pro ball.

Besides success on the court, how have you taken to the German culture and what are some of the things you hope to do off the court?

It's a process for sure but it gets easier every day. The language is pretty tough since it's not a romance language.  I've studied French and Italian and picked those up a lot quicker. The people here are great, very straight forward - there isn't much BS in Germany.  I hope to travel a lot. Go to Munich, Berlin, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. After the season I hope to spend some quality time on some Mediterranean beaches. I'm going to take it one step at a time though.

What kind of advice would you give players who are having a hard time finding a place to play?  How much of it is networking and marketing yourself?  

Just keep at it and be patient. Video is king. You need good tape and good people working for you.  Talk to guys you know who are playing or have played overseas. Ask them to introduce you to people they found helpful.  Don't be shy and ask a lot of questions. Even if you have an agent reach out to teams yourself, maybe you'll get lucky.

What are the strengths of your game, and what do you strive to work on?

I've always been a shooter but I consider myself to have a high basketball IQ. It's been challenging translating that through to a different language but I'm learning every day.  Right now I'm concentrating on doing the things I do well, scoring in the post, knocking down the open shot, hitting the glass and helping my team win. Once I get more comfortable with the style and my team I'll start pushing myself to do things I know I can do but might not be as comfortable yet.

How important is it to have an agent and solid game tape readily available for teams to view?

The more agents the better but game tape is the most important, it's the only way most of these teams can take a look at you. I am constantly working on my tape making both highlights and picking out stretches of game tape where I really showcase what I can do.

Who are some people that you would attribute your success to?

First and foremost my Father.  My Mom passed away when I was 10 days old so he raised me as a single parent while running his own business.  On top of that, he found time to coach me in Little League and he
never missed a basketball game. He is a special person and one of my role models.
My coaches over the years. My high school coach Bob Farias taught me how to be tough and how to win, he unknowingly shifted my focus from baseball to basketball which in heinsight was absolutely the right move. My first college coach Glenn Miller gave me the chance to play at Brown and really brought my sklls to the next level.  Finally, my second college coach Craig Robinson challenged me to, most importantly, be more cerebrial.  He taught me so many things I can't tell you all of them here because it would take up your whole blog but I owe a lot of who I am today to him.
I always appreciate all of my friends and family who helped me over the years in different ways, a lot without even knowing it. They mean the world to me. Finally, my girlfriend Natalie who really supported me and encouraged me to give basketball another go. Hopefully it pays off.

Q and A: Donald Rutherford of SISU Copenhagen (Denmark)

I had the chance to catch up with Donald Rutherford (Catawba) who landed his first professional contract overseas playing in Denmark for SISU Copenhagen.  SISU sits at 4-3 on the season with Rutherford being a very solid contributor tallying 11 PPG and being a force on defense averaging 4.6 RPG and over 2.1 SPG playing around 22 minutes per game.  Donald is a client of the video service Pro Player Video and a participant in the 2010 PPV Exposure Camp at LIU-Brooklyn.   

1. How has the level of play changed from Catawba to professional basketball in Denmark?  Do you feel you were well prepared for such a jump?

 

The level of play has slightly increased in different areas from playing college basketball at Catawba to playing pro here in Denmark. Even with the increase in competition I really felt prepared coming into this season. I worked out with some pro guys that are a little older then me so they introduced me to what playing overseas ball would be like. 

 

2. Run through some of your favorite memories at Catawba and growing up playing basketball.

 

At Catawba I won two SAC Conference titles, two SAC Tournament titles, and had 4 NCAA D-2 Tournament selections.  Growing up my favorite memory was watching men's/women's basketball at Freedom High School bring home state championships. I remember making my first AAU team and going to watch the Charlotte Hornets play.

3. Describe yourself as a player.  What are your strengths and what are some things you need to work on?

I'm a very versatile player that can play both inside and outside. I'm a athlete that can shoot both the mid-range and long distance jumper. I see myself as a slasher and finisher that can also be a playmaker.  My biggest strength is my competitive nature. Besides that I always look to improve everyday.  I need to be a more consistant shooter, ball handler, and defender. I want to improve my strength, conditioning, explosiveness and continue to develop as a player. 

 

4. We got to see you at the 2010 Pro Player Video Exposure Camp, how did the work you did during the summer really help you to land a contract?

The work I did during the summer really helped develop some new skills and gave me a better chance for success here in Denmark.

 

5. For a guy looking to market himself; what is some advice you would give?

 

Be coachable, listen, and network.

 

 

6. Do you believe it was more difficult or that people wrote you off because you came from a smaller college?

 

I don't really think because I was came out of a smaller college that people wrote me off. Numbers don't lie and there are plenty of quality basketball players in lower division basketball that slipped throught the cracks so to speak. 

 

7. You're in Denmark, explain the tradition and getting used to the culture.  What are some aspects about their culture you really enjoy thus far?

It took a few weeks to adjust to life outside of the States, but once I did I enjoyed Denmark more and more as days have passed. 

 

8. Explain the process of tasks that you did that got you noticed by the teams overseas?   

 

I went to exposure camps and got some good film.  I signed an agent and started contacting various teams.  I started networking with coaches and some of their contacts helped me along the way.

 

9. When you found out about being signed how did you feel and did you celebrate?

 

When I found out I was about to be signed to a professional team, I celebrated with my friends and family. That whole week was a big party so to say.  My brother threw a party for me at a club and my family and friends had a going away cookout for me the Saturday before I left.

 

10. This is your first contract.  After the season, what is your plan to keep marketing yourself and potentially get a better deal?

I plan on networking, getting my game film and contacting teams that are in need at my position.  While I'm here in Denmark all I can do is play well and help my team win games.

Q and A with Majic Dorsey: And 1 Basketball, Mexico, and Advice For Hopeful Prospects

During the summer of 2009 while working as the Video Coordinator at Pro Player Video we received a video from a player named Majic Dorsey.  Remembering him from the "And 1" tour show that was on ESPN I was interested in seeing how he played traditional basketball.  As I edited his tape I leaned over to one of the interns who was working for me to come watch.  This guy Majic Dorsey was one of the quickest players I had ever seen editing tape with Pro Player Video.  I have been watching his numbers, like most clients who come in with us, ever since. 
Later, as I have become the Head of Marketing at Pro Player Video Majic Dorsey's name has popped up on various occasions.  I have heard absolutely nothing but good things about the Baltimore, MD native and his impact not only in his community but with the fan base.  Hearing he was a great teammate and friend I wanted to get a hold of him to hear his story and relay what has made him successful.  His path to success has not always been traditional, but it certainly is entertaining.

Majic Dorsey's Basketball Resume



You are a very exciting player to watch.  Where did you develop this style of play?  Was there a player you styled your game after?
Thanks a lot for considering me an exciting player to watch. The style of my play I bring to the table is formed by the way I grew up in the streets of Baltimore.  Every player had their own style to the street game and I was the one that always put on a show for the fans.  It carries over to my pro game because I can switch up my style at any moment to get the job done. There was a player by the name of Kevin Norris (aka stank) who played for the University of Miami who was a street hero on the courts in Baltimore.  I always got a show when I saw him play.  I would always tell myself I wanted to be like him when I grew up. 

Obviously a lot of die-hard basketball fans remember your stint with 'And 1' basketball.  Describe the experience.

Yes, "And 1" made me popular around the world from the ESPN show.  It was a blessing to be on the TV show and on the Playstation video game.  It was fun.  All the players were cool and "And 1" company took care of me well with perks like 10 boxes of shoes at a time, unlimited clothes, good money, and travel.



How difficult is it to make the transition from the style of play that 'And 1' showcases to the standard team game of professional basketball?

It's not hard for me because I'm a professional first and a street ball player second. Most players can't switch it up, but for me it's not hard.

You have spent time at NBA camps and in the D-League; have there been any people you were just blown away to meet or learn from?

When I was invited to NBA Pre-Draft camp the Atlanta Hawks brought me in for workout.  Dominique Wilkins was working for the Hawks at the time, and I was amazed by his humble spirit and for treating me like one of his friends.

You've spent a significant amount of time playing in Mexico.  What is it about the environment that you really enjoy that keeps bringing you back?

Merida,Yucatan is the most amazing place I have ever been.  The people there really took me in as their hero on and off the court.  I love the food, the way I live there and how they took me in.  It's my second home away from America.



Being from Florida and having a rich Hispanic tradition in the state was the transition very difficult?  What are some of the aspects of the culture you love and what do you really miss while out of the country?

When I'm out of the country I miss my family. Other than that, I don't get homesick because I'm at work and have to be focused.  The fans pay their hard earned money to watch us play. I can't put on a good show if I am homesick. 

When a young player is getting their first contract overseas what advice would you give them to help them stick?

Don't get homesick, stay humble and embrace the culture like it's your own. Go hard on the court and things will be fine.

What part of the professional game or lifestyle really caught you off guard or surprised you once you made the transition?

The women.  It's amazing how some of them will do anything just to say they know you and or have been with you. Also friends who weren't there when you weren't a pro, but now they're your buddy-buddy.

In past interviews agents have said they look for coach-able guys who don't make them worry with decisions off the court.  What are some things a young player should look out for to not only be a good player but a good person?

The number one thing is surround yourself with positive people. If you hang with the wrong crowd you will live the wrong way, lose your job playing and doing what you love.

There are a lot of people out there who talk about a good agent and video being key in your exposure.  How important are both of these factors when it comes to displaying your talent?

It's one of the biggest things to the game. It is all about knowing the right people and also having good game film online. It's a job and you have to keep a good resume because it builds every year and with every team. Do the right thing.  As for a agent, pick the right one because they will screw you over because they are all about the money.  It is important to get one that looks how for your best interests.

A lot of guys have questions about healthy eating.  What type of diet do you recommend to allow yourself to play at a high level for a long time?


No fast food, es no bueno.  Hahahaha.

Who are some of the people you attribute your success to?

God, family and God again.  I certainly believe myself for being as dedicated to what I want to become in life, so that is why I work so hard. Also Daunte Culpepper and Larry Tucker who have been there through everything, always keep me humble and show me the right road to take.  So much love to them also. 

Looking For Your First Overseas Contract? Here Are Some Tips To Have a Successful Summer

The summer of 2012 will be upon us before we know it and like every year hundreds of players will be getting exposure to hopefully gain a professional basketball contract.  You need to be prepared when the opportunities present themselves to get a shot at gaining a contract.  Players that don't have the talent or the work ethic get exposed quickly in a camp of quality players and will generally have a poor experience.  These are some tips I have learned after spending 4 years talking to players, agents and scouts that put you in a position to succeed.

1. Remember an Agent Works for You, So Hire One
There are a lot of guys I talk to who do not hire an agent after they come out of college.  This is not a smart move because odds are good the player doesn't know many overseas coaches or where to get the best exposure.  A good agent should have a history of getting players contracts overseas or domestically, should consistently keep you in the loop about where negotiations stand, and should put you in a position to succeed.  Remember an agent works for you so ask a lot of questions and don't let them sweet talk you.  Would you want someone with no experience to be responsible for your professional future?

2. Do Not Have a Sense of Entitlement
Occasionally I will come across a player or two that have become used to getting things for free.  They assume that because they were a decent college player that people are going to come knocking down their doors with free things.  The only players that really get admission to exposure events for free are those that had tremendous careers at BCS conference schools or well traveled veteran players.  Don't assume that you should go to camps or get free work done for you just because that was the way it was in high school or college.  You are in the professional ranks and this is now a business where you are competing for contracts.  People don't want to help out others that act like spoiled brats.  

3. Research Professional Exposure Camps Before Going to Them
While I recruit for our exposure camps I meet players with varying views of exposure camps.  This may have been because they invested $250 on a camp where maybe only 2-3 scouts showed up.  They may have only gotten a 1-2 game guarantee on an overly bloated roster of players which doesn't allow you to show off your skills.  Make sure the camps you are looking for give you an adequate chance to show off your skills (at least 2-3 games), keep the rosters at 10 players or below, bring in several scouts to watch you play and give you a chance to get your video online from the camp.  (An average camp should cost you anywhere from $200-$400 for entrance, not including travel and lodging.)

4. Get a Passport
How are you supposed to play overseas without a passport.  You would think this is a no-brainer but I run into players all the time that want to go overseas but haven't gotten around to getting a passport.  Take care of the basics before you take that leap of faith to go all in for reaching your dream.

5. Get Your Game Tape From Where You Played Last and Get It Online
Gather some game tape from the place where you last played (whether college or professional) and get the tape online.  For years players have been mailing out DVD's to overseas teams, but that gets costly after the first few times and it takes weeks to get there.  Find a way to get a highlight tape AND full length game tape online so you can hit teams that are interested in you with a link rather than going to the post office.

6. Surround Yourself With Positive People
Make sure the people around you are people that are helping you reach your dream.  There has been a long standing history in sports of people that just grab onto you because they think they can benefit out of your success.  You don't need distractions, it is hard enough to get a contract (especially at the guard positions.)

7. Have a Good Personality At All Times, Especially When a Scout Maybe Watching
Scouts watch you from the time you step inside to the time you leave.  They want guys that will not be a headache off the court in addition to a player that will help them win.  Being a good teammate, someone that is easily to get along with and generally keeps working hard towards team success will go a long way towards getting in their good graces.  Be vocal yelling out picks and screens while also setting up other teammates for success.  You have to find a balance between being a little selfish with the ball and playing good team basketball.



8. Make Contacts and Use Any Advantage You Have
Playing professional basketball is just like any profession, it is who you know.  Knowing a lot of players, agents and coaches will go a long ways towards helping you to gain a contract.  You can be a good player, but if you never go out of your way to meet people that could potentially help you down the line it maybe all for not.  Go to legitimate camps to shake hands, exchange contact info and create a bond.  I tell players that on the court it is an audition but off the court it is a job fair. Also look into dual citizenship as if you qualify for citizenship in another country you become more valuable because you do not count against their cap of foreign players in the country you qualify. 

9. Treat Your Body Like a Tool
Get the proper amount of sleep, work hard on the court and in the gym and eat the right food.  No one wants a sloppy looking player with a raw game.  Scouts want to see guys that know how to present themselves and could keep up with the current team's conditioning level.  Just like how a race car driver puts a lot of care into his car, you need to do this with your body.  Set goals in the gym working on your game, hire a trainer that can motivate you, get 7+ hours of sleep a night and ask for advice on the right food to eat.

10. Don't Expect You Can Sit Back All Summer and a Team Will Call You
You have to be proactive meeting people and attending events to put yourself in a position to succeed.  If you don't have a real connection with a team already sending game tape and resumes probably won't help.  Try to find an agent early and work as a team to get you a contract.  He should be making connections and you should be giving him/her a great product to market to teams.  If you sit at home all summer, don't attend events, don't put game tape online and don't hire an agent how are you ever supposed to go overseas?  It is like assuming because you had a 3.8 GPA that companies should be calling you with a job offer without you sending out resumes or going to job fairs.

FIBA Agent Steve James On His History, Qualities, Player Exposure and Being a Good Professional

Over the years I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of professional agents throughout my daily interaction. For the most part I would say they are a good group of people that genuinely like to help people. One name that has popped up over the years numerous times both in our office at Pro Player Video and through interaction with players is Steve James. He is a San Diego based FIBA certified agent that is really active marketing his players to teams. I caught up with Steve over this past week after developing a working relationship with him over the summer.

San Diego Based FIBA certified agent Steve James

James got his start working with players while he was still working with the U.S. Navy. “I was in Bahrain at the time, and I would attend some of the professional games out in town whenever I had the time. I caught up with some of the import players, and discovered many of them simply needed help. Whether it was sending e-mails to clubs, making phone calls, or collecting and distributing video. Sharing a love for basketball, I was eager to assist in any way I could,” says James.

A fire went off and a passion built which drew Steve to obtain his FIBA certification in 2009. He quickly learned it is not an easy business and there are hurdles along the way. “There are numerous obstacles and challenges associated with the business. However, I welcome that and take it as a personal challenge. I'll adopt some military mantra here and say that I do my best to adapt, improvise and overcome these challenges.”

When representing numerous players time management is an issue for many agents, but is an issue that James handles with grace. “There are only so many jobs available and hours in each work day. Working smart, efficiently, and maintaining good communication with my guys and club representatives is essential. From a player standpoint, I can appreciate the fact they want to work and want to know what's going on. I make it a point to update them as/when necessary whenever interest or hard offers surface.”

Good communication is only one of the qualities that James feels is important for an agent to have to be effective in this business. Qualities such as honesty, commitment, integrity, responsibility and flexibility were also cited by James as a foundation with players and teams that take days, weeks, or months to build.

This commitment to building quality relationships has allowed James to make connections to marketing players to every major overseas region of the world, including Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania.

Understanding team needs is also crucial when it comes to lining up clients with the right situation to turn the player-team relationship into a win-win scenario. “It's important to know the needs of the club (such as skill set and positional needs). Many teams are very specific in what they want…I also make it clear to club leadership that the player they have expressed interest in is hungry and eager to get started. Furthermore, he is a professional on and off the court.”

Conversely there are qualities that James looks for in the players he represents. He won’t represent just any player, but ones that balance a good skill set with a professional personality. “Obviously, they have to possess a variety of skill sets and preferably able to do one thing exceptionally well.” But it isn’t just on the court skill that sets players apart. “I can go find thousands of good basketball players, however, there's so much more to just putting the ball in the goal, dunking, dribbling, jumping out of the gym and shooting. I'm real big on character, attitude and professionalism. In this business, and that's exactly what it is — a business, players must be somewhat cognizant of the big picture schematics.”

Not every player has an easy road to professional basketball, and thousands of players never make it. James says that new players coming out of college should be humble and realistic when competing for a roster spot against numerous other players. “Contrary to popular belief, jobs are not as plentiful or lucrative as they were four or five years ago. I'd recommend any player that is serious about playing overseas to strongly consider any opportunity that comes their way, regardless of salary amount. If a player didn't play in a powerhouse conference (BCS conference) or wasn't a PIT (Portsmouth Invitational Tournament) participant, they are in no position to stick a price tag on themselves. Most rookies do not dictate their worth, the clubs do.”

Exposure Camps Are Necessary, But Need to Be Researched Before Investing

Exposure camps are a popular route for players to get noticed by scouts sitting in the stands and in a few instances (such as Pro Player Video’s camps) seen through live feeds online. James comments on exposure camps and being wise with your limited monetary resources to gain exposure. “Some research, however, should be done on these events as there are many "camps" that are gimmicks or money-makers. Being able to showcase skill sets in front of decision-makers is valuable, assuming of course the overseas club representatives are in attendance. Most players coming out of school don't have tons of cash to be tossing around on camp fees, airline tickets, lodging, food and other miscellaneous expenses.”

There is added value for both the player and the team for such events because teams can get to know the personality of a player and the player can build a bridge with club representatives. With so much money on the line being invested in a player it is important to develop that relationship before a contract is offered. The teams will do deep research on a player before offering limited team funds.

Besides exposure camps, video (highlight tapes and full games) is a very important resource to have available all the time for teams to access. James comments on this, “It's extremely important for players coming out of school to have a highlight link of their season posted online, and also at least two full games. THIS IS A MUST-HAVE. If a team is interested in a player's highlights, chances are they will want to see a full game, which will allow them to better assess a player's true abilities. Teams don't want to hear from agents or coaches or friends how good a player is; they want to SEE it with their own eyes and formulate their own opinion.”

If a player is fortunate enough to get a contract to a team, that doesn’t mean they can slack off. Being a hard worker, respectful of the team and their efforts on and off the court is vital. “I think the majority of club leadership really values a player that is the consummate professional...the player that attends all team functions, coaches kid’s basketball, or is a positive role model in the local community. Players must take advantage of any opportunity they are afforded. This will ultimately produce some separation in terms of character and professionalism and it certainly puts them in good standing.”

James continues that setting a good example on and off the court builds a trusting relationship that spreads to other teams. “Doing these types of team events are invaluable and can often lead to bigger and better things. Every player should make it a point to leave any club they go to on great terms. Team reps talk and it's very common for coaches to call coaches, managers to call managers to inquire about player’s abilities, attitude, etc.”

James wants players to take away that they should be open to any opportunity that comes their way; have a positive attitude on and off the court; have video resources available for teams to access; do research on exposure camps that may help you develop relationships and get noticed; and be a good professional once a team gives you the chance to showcase your skills. In short, be a good professional player in the same way Steve James is a good professional agent to those he represents and teams he works with.  

Launch of the New Site!!!!!

It was an exciting week here at Pro Player Video with the official release of our new site. It has taken a lot of man hours from our web guy Jordan, Tyler Smith and our four terrific interns this summer. Below is a screenshot of the new site:

Some of the cooler new features include:
-Latest Video Additions Right on the Home Page
-Coaches Can Now Search Players by College Level and Years of Professional Experience
-A New Cleaner Look on Every Page
-The Ability for Coaches/Teams to Contact Players Directly From Search Results

It has certainly been a lot of work, but Pro Player Video is one of the best exposure companies in professional basketball. We make sure that player and agent needs are met to put them in a position to succeed.

Visit the New Site