[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?