If you’re thinking about going to any type of free agent camp, team tryout, pro tour or whatever it may be, then keep reading.
In a previous article we answered a common question, who will be at the camp? But one of the questions players often forget to ask is….
Besides people at camp,
who else is gonna know how I played?
This question fits in well with others … “will there be camp video? Will there be a scouting report, and who will get it?”
Here’s an example…
Thank Goodness for Record Books
Everyone knows Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record by scoring 100 points on March 2, 1962.
I wasn’t there to see it. Neither were the TV cameras. So then how do we know it happened?
Because the NBA record books say so. Along with news archives and a some pictures that were shared by the masses.
Thank goodness it was the NBA Record, and the NBA has big money media behind it, or it just would’ve went down as Wilt’s 2nd most popular stat line.
comment below if you get it
The point is, you don’t want to have the camp of your life so it can just be forgotten the next day.
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Learn more about how to prepare for a successful pro career, request an invite for the next iBall Pro Combine. We’ll send you information about Pro Exposure Camp and share tips about things to consider when choosing camp, selecting an agent, preparing for a pro career, and more click here
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You were the best player in camp. But we’re signin’ the other guy.
This happens all the time. You can outperform everybody at camp, but still not end up getting signed.
When you think about it, it’s really easy for this to happen.
Maybe the teams in attendance weren’t looking for a player at your position. Maybe the agency that was most impressed already has similar players under contract or not enough prospective teams to market you to. Signing you would be taking a chance that you or one of his current players would be left sitting home come October. In that case, not signing you is actually doing you a favor.
When this happens, you leave camp with nothing but doubts—feeling that you’re doing something wrong, and that luck just isn’t on your side.
Players tell me this happened to them all the time. Call me naïve, but I’ve been there, so I can believe it.
In Jersey they say, ‘Word is Bond.’ In Europe. It’s Video.
If you were one of the best players at some free agency camp, they better be giving you video to show for it or at least be providing some kind of press release to recap the best performers at the camp.
I’ve heard too many guys over the past couple of months tell me about how well they played in this or that camp, but have no solid proof to show for it. It’s hard for me to tell ’em that they were robbed.
An exposure camp is supposed to do what it says–give you exposure. If you go, make first team, and outperform everybody that stepped on the court, then somebody better be hearing about how great a player you are. And if they don’t you better have a way to tell them yourself.
It’s never too late
If this has happened to you, then there’s probably still time to salvage your performance. Do this if you attended a camp recently and you didn’t get video or a report announcing how well you did.
Use this letter to contact camp organizations
Contact the camp organizers, or a coach or instructor that will remember you. Use this line:
Hi Mr./Mrs./Coach (their name)
I’m updating my basketball resume and I’d be honored to have a (coach/scout/agent) of your stature to serve as a professional reference for my game. Would you please write a few lines about my game and send it to me by email.
If you weren’t given video (continue here)
The __(name of camp)__ was one of the most professional and competitive camps I’ve been to. Please tell me how I can get the video of my performance. I believe featuring it in my scouting package will greatly help me with finding the professional opportunity that I’m looking for.
Very Kindly,
(Your name and contact info)
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Wanna learn more about how to prepare for a successful pro career, request an invite for the next iBall Pro Combine. We’ll send you information about Pro Exposure Camp and share tips about things to consider when choosing camp, selecting an agent, preparing for a pro career, and more click here
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