Hoops

US College Exposure Basketball Tournament

To answer some queries about Showtime Basketball.

We offer a scouting service to US colleges and we do charge for this service. Colleges are happy to pay for information on Australian players, and funnily enough our business does operate to make a profit. Its is the same as any other business, I am sure none of you go to work for nothing.

To be listed on our database is FREE OF CHARGE as listed by ankles. We don't claim to be able top place every athlete in a college in the US, but we do what we can to assist them in finding a suitable college in the USA. We have also just implemented our consulting service as Anonymous mention for players that want more than just to be listed on our database. The US College system is confusing at the best of times and with a decade of experience working in the industry I am still learning the system as it is constantly changing.

Vesta 59 - I agree the $1000 entry fee is high, but we have no option when we need to pay for court hire, referees and general administration of the event.

Here's Humphrey - colleges needs somewhere to get their information from. If they don’t know anybody in Australia who do they find out about the top players?? Gretel Tippett previously mentioned in this post was contacted by a couple of colleges through our service, with our service these colleges wouldn't have know about here or been able to make contact with her.

Another good example is Lauren Mansfield - she was only recruit through our service and she ends up being the starting PG for a top 25 program in the USA. We don't claim to help every player, but if can assist as many players as possible get recruited by colleges we feel we are doing our job.
Magicman - Heading to the USA to get seen by hundreds of college coaches is the best way to attract recruiting interest, but those costs are well into the thousands per player. We are simply trying offer a lower cost alternative for Australian players looking to play college basketball in the USA.

As to coaches out here for the tournament, as of last week we have had three mens coaches and four womens coaches say they are very keen to attend the event. There have also been multiple other enquires on both the men's and women's sides enquiring about attending the event, so we are aiming to have approx 10 -15 college coaches in attendance. Definitely not the amount you would have in any event in the USA, but its better than not playing infront of any US coaches if you want to play in the USA.

Ankles - thank you for your support

Should anybody have any other queries about the Shootout or Showtime Basketball's service feel fre to contact me at kelvin.taylor@showtimebasketball.com.au

Showtime Basketball received notification that the Ultimate Sports Enterprises' GREAT AUSTRALIAN SHOOTOUT is now an NCAA CERTIFIED EVENT ensuring US college coaches can attend the event.

This will be the first NCAA certified event in Australia.

The event will be proudly sponsored by the orginal Great Australian Shootout tournament director - Brian Harvey of Ultimate Sports Enterprises. Ultimate Sports Enterprises specialise in timber sports floors, in particular resurfacing and installation of basketball courts.

Entries close on 31st May, 2011, limited places still avialable.

Log onto www.showtimeshootout.com for entry froms

Showtime does not charge athletes - their business model derives income from colleges (who can afford to pay) and the service is free to our kids (my daughter is registered).

So no 'conflict of interest' exists.

Yep - if you're Gretel Tippet the colleges will find you and Showtime don't cover all colleges so if you have a specific target you need to contact them direct.

I've seen a number of athletes that have used Showtime and they have ended up achieving their goal - being placed at a school which suits their ability and ambitions (which aren't always exactly matched either!).

So Vesta - you don't know of any parents prepared to pay $100 for their child to gain some exposure? I'm surprised. Nationals runs to $2,000 for many (kids only without parents and siblings travelling as well) so doesn't seem extravagant. My sums suggest BA add that much to the equalised Nationals airfare alone.

Anon888 - as I understand it the main argument against the US pathway comes from BA - they dont teach, they use you up for their own ends, coach might move on. Not sure how that is any different from any of the available BA pathways - State ABL, SEABL, NBL, WNBL, except they dont walk away with a HECS debt from the US.

Horses for courses but haven't heard any compelling arguments against - unless again you're in the Bishop category and can be earning $75K per season prior to when you'd be leaving college.

I remember a young Pero Vasiljevic playing for Norwood at the good old days when the GAS was once held at Diamond Valley!

Good to see BSA are on top of things.

The ABA draw is out and Pasadena is slated down to have games on the 17th of March. Opening Night.

Last told, it was only going to be open for games starting on the 19th of March.

Now I'm no rocket scientist (nor floor builder mind you) but chances are that it won't be ready until after the 19th. Might have been smart to wait until maybe April before scheduling games there.

Can't wait for the junior finals to be scheduled there as well.

The more things change, the more they stay the same!