[Algodoneros]

This is an informational post that will give you a little bit of information about the process and its pitfalls and scams. I submit this post as a guide based on personal experance from both the player and management prospective. Please excuse the typos as I am writing as fast as I can.

I worked for three years as an assistant coach with a professional team in Mexicos 1st division. Over that period I brought in American players to fill open roster spots. I got the position by attending a pro camp with my roommate who got signed and is currently playing professionally. I know the process I have seen it from both sides and it can be ruthless.

First, you will probably get many offers to attend pro-tryout camps. They will tell you how many scouts and coaches will be there and how many players have been signed. BE WARY. They also want 150-350 dollars for your participation (not including hotels or transportation).

Many of these camps are run by agents who are looking 1) to make money and 2) to try to sign the top 3 or 4 guys that show up. That is OK, but what about the other 150 guys who ponied up the money? Well chances are you may see one scout or a couple of team reps who are looking for 1 guy and who often use the camps to get free airfare to the local (LA, Las Vegas, etc)

In reputable leagues with soild teams, most rosters are already set and the chances that a team comes in a picks up more than one guy are remote.

The camp where my room-mate got picked up had about 250 guys playing at 4 gyms and there were about 4 agents, 2 scouts and 5 team reps. That was a good camp (at least there were a few teams there looking for players). If you expect to get picked up you better stand out. you typically get one "showcase" game on the big court and your other games will not be seen by anyone but your teammates. Speaking of teammates, these camps are all or nothing with guys fighting for that oppertunity so dont expect guys to pass to you even when you're open and you've hit your last 5. It is not about winning. Its not about teamwork. It is about getting yours. My roommate got picked up because he dropped 40 in his showcase game AND was Mexican-American so he didnt have to be counted as an true foreign player. Bascially he got lucky

Of the 10 or so players who were "drafted" I only saw 3 or 4 actually make the team in Mexico and of those guys I think my roommate is the only one still playing.

That was the good camp, the one that was offically sponsered by the league. My roommate also attended several other camps that were not assiocated with a particular league. They all advertised scouts, and team reps. To put it blunt, we never saw any and niether did anyone else. We were all left asking, "Did anyone sign?" There was a lot of talent, but no one actually got a job, a couple of guys signed with an agent, but I would not consider paying $300 to go to a camp and to sign with an agent something that you would be happy about.

So be careful. As with anything it is buyer beware. Find out as much information as possible before paying. Findout what teams or scouts are going to be attending. Call the league or team to verify that they are actually going. Spending 3 dollars to call Finland and findout if the team actually intends to send a rep is well worth it when you consider the costs of attending a bogus camp.

Contact me if you need any more info. I would be happy to talk to you about what to expect if you are heading out of the county to play.

Players who have gone to camps, or try-outs, please list your experiances, hopefully we can start a list of bogus camps and legit camps.

Nathan,
Club Algodoneros de la Comarca

[rmjvol]

Great information, Nathan! Welcome to GoTeamsGo.

Anyone who has experience with pro basketball tryouts, feel free to tell us about your experience here. Did you run into a scam? Did you think the tryouts were legit? Did you make the team?

mY BROTHER IS AN EXCELLENT PLAYER AND HE JUST GOT IN us FROM bRAZIL...
cAN YOU GUYS HELP ME????? I DONOT KNOW HOW TO SEARCH A TRYOUT OR HOW TO INSERT HIM IN THE US BASKETBALL WORLD....

I LIVE IN FORIDA AND MY PHONE IS
THANKS

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

mY BROTHER IS AN EXCELLENT PLAYER AND HE JUST GOT IN us FROM bRAZIL...
cAN YOU GUYS HELP ME????? I DONOT KNOW HOW TO SEARCH A TRYOUT OR HOW TO INSERT HIM IN THE US BASKETBALL WORLD....

I LIVE IN FORIDA AND MY PHONE IS
THANKS

Kind of strange but this is exactly the same phone number given in another forum by a member who said they lived in Brazil. I deleted that entire message.
I deleted the phone number here and approved the post only to let it serve as a warning to you out there in cyberspace. Be careful.

[Bsktbll7]

Hey, the Knight's perspective is very accurate. It is tougher than a large HS tryout or trying to trophy at AAU Nationals 16u Div I.

As a basketball event organizer for 16 yrs the other perspective is that there is a major cost and risk associated with attempting to bring in agents and players. Take a typical facility at a small DI or good DII college to rent. $3000 per day to get typically 3 good courts. Then travel and housing for the top agent or a couple of scouts that will take the time from their family and all too busy schedule to spend 2 days in a gym looking for the player that fills the position they are looking for. Add some staff fees in, event jerseys and promo material, expense is close to $10,000 to do a good event. Sponsors are not lining up to underwrite a 2-day event of adults that already have established preferences and spending habits.

So, fees like $200 - $250 still take 40- 50 paid players to cover the costs. Then, have the scouts and agents don't stick around or some do not even show.

It's a pain from either side!
Bsktbll7

[maolei97]

Try out is legitimate... hand pick is a bust... political.. if a player failed to make it on a tryout, then maybe he is not good enough.