Teresa Hoy 
Overseas basketball tryouts can be a great alternative for players who have the talent but lack the resume, stats, and background to attract the attention of teams and agents.
The international world of (semi-) professional basketball is a buyer’s market. Teams have more players to choose from than they can ever scout. Therefore, they usually quickly scan through the profiles and select the ones with impressive stats from a D1 college or respectable overseas league. Players who never played at that level (for example, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO, or only High School) have no chance to get over this first hurdle in the recruiting/scouting process.
RESUMES
For players without an extensive resume, the path to success may seem challenging, but it’s not insurmountable. There are opportunities for them to shine. One such avenue is to participate in overseas basketball tryouts. These camps can serve as a platform to display skills and potentially attract the attention of scouts or agents. Many of these showcases now have camera crews. They record and broadcast the games online for teams, coaches, agents, and scouts.
SKIP THE LINE
Participating in one of these (semi-) Pro Basketball tryouts doesn’t guarantee a contract with a professional team or agent, but it significantly improves the odds. It also helps players bypass the initial stages of the recruiting process. Overseas basketball tryouts are like a live tryout for a team, which is the final stage of the recruiting/scouting process.
This means that players, regardless of their background, have a fair chance to showcase their skills and potentially secure a spot in a professional team.
SELECT THE RIGHT OVERSEAS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
So, how do you select the most suitable semi-pro basketball tryouts? It’s crucial to consider the following criteria:
1.LOCATION—The location of the basketball tryouts plays a significant role in your chances of getting noticed. The most attractive location is Las Vegas during July. That’s when the NBA summer league is in town, attracting visitors worldwide, some of whom may swing by to see you play. This can significantly increase your exposure and the likelihood of getting noticed by scouts or agents.
2.WHO SPONSORS THE OVERSEAS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS? Basketball combines should be organized and run by professional basketball agents. They represent a player’s best bet for getting evaluated by an international audience and finding a job. If they have a global network, they are also best at the crucial follow-up and promotion of players before, during, and after camp.
3.EXTRAS—The overseas basketball tryouts must have good refs and a professional statistics crew. Another essential aspect is having a video crew to record and broadcast all the games online.
CONCLUSION
Overseas basketball tryouts can be a great opportunity to improve the odds of landing a job as a (semi-) professional basketball player. However, players must do their homework and choose the right basketball combine. They also need to be both physically and mentally ready. There are many diamonds in the rough out there.
However, some players never played college basketball, or maybe have gaps in their resume or were plagued by injuries. That could be an obstacle to getting in front of the right people and basketball decision-makers, but overseas basketball tryouts could help you skip the line and get noticed.
