How to tryout for basketball

11 Tips for Basketball Tryouts (How to Stand Out and Get Selected)

The first day of basketball tryouts can be a nerve-wracking experience for players.

No matter how long you've been playing or how many tryouts you've attended, everyone gets those little butterflies in their stomach before walking into the gym.

Today, I'll try to calm your nerves a bit...

Below I've listed several things you can do to prepare for basketball tryouts.

Whether you’re a freshman trying to make your high school team, a youth player attempting to earn a spot on a travel team, or an athlete hoping to make an impression on an AAU coach...

The 11 tryout tips below can help you.

Possibly the single best thing you can do to improve your odds of getting selected is making sure your body is in good condition BEFORE tryouts begin.

Basketball tryouts always involve A LOT of running or transition play.

Some coaches even seek to find out which players can fight through fatigue.

You want to be able to focus on playing your best, not simply surviving the tryout.

If you arrive in peak shape, you'll have a big advantage over many of your peers.

It’s easy to feel nervous due to the stress of the tryout.

Try to fight off these nerves by trusting yourself and the work you have already done!

Preparation equals confidence.

Think about it…

If you have spent countless hours developing your shot, improving your ball handling, studying the game, and practicing against good competition, why wouldn’t you feel confident?

You deserve to make the team!

All you have to do is go out and prove it.

In many areas of life, it’s possible to make a good impression by simply showing up early.

(this is one of the many life lessons basketball will teach)

If your tryout is right after school, get ready quickly and get out to the court.

If your tryout is in the evening, ask your parents to can get you there well ahead of the start time.

While this probably won’t be the make or break factor on who makes the team, it gives you a chance to show the coaches you’re serious about making the team.

If you don’t already know the coach, make a point to introduce yourself to him or her.

When you take the court, begin working on your game immediately.

Coaches don’t want to see players messing around and shooting half court shots before practice.

Begin with form shooting or completing a ball-handling routine.

This is an aspect of the game that players often overlook.

Coaches place a huge premium on body language.

Understand that you're communicating your attitude not only with your words, but also with your eyes, reactions, and facial expressions.

Be sure to make eye contact and nod your head to show understanding.

Don’t pout or stop playing if you miss a shot or think you get fouled.

Your coaches WILL constantly be assessing these things.

If they think you're inattentive or easily rattled / frustrated, it will hurt your chances.

Communication is huge!

There are several ways to help your team, as well as your own chances of making the final roster, by focusing on communicating well.

First, the defensive end of the floor is a great place to constantly talk.

Does your coach give you specific verbals to use?

Maybe he or she wants you to communicate “BALL,” “GAP,” “DENY” or some other defensive phrases.

If your coach doesn’t specify, simply call out what you are doing throughout each defensive possession:

• “I got your help!”
• “I’ve got the ball!”
• “Force him left!”

A talking defender is usually an engaged defender.

Just as important, you can elevate the environment of the practice by offering reminders and encouragement to your teammates.

Basketball tryouts do pit players against one another as everyone is fighting to make the team...

But coaches want to keep players who are great teammates!

A player who is constantly encouraging those around her will have an advantage over someone who keeps to herself.

Make sure your coaches and teammates hear you!

Finally, you may be asked to learn some new plays, drills, or concepts during the tryout period.

If you don’t understand something, be sure to ask a coach.

This is important for two reasons:

(1) Asking a question to gain clarification is certainly better than messing up the drill.

(2) Asking questions show that you are engaged and that you want to learn more.

This is another form of communication.

Show support for your teammates by high-fiving and fist bumping as much as possible.

This is a simple way to show leadership and to enhance the practice environment.

Get touches when running to the end of a line or after a teammate makes a good play.

Challenge yourself to get one touch and to make two comments of encouragement each minute of your basketball tryouts (when a coach isn’t talking, of course).

Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens once said:

“When considering the consequences of not doing the little things, you realize there are no little things.”

Coaches understand this, and smart players do as well.

Coaches want players on their team they can trust to do everything possible to help the team win.

Of course you can help yourself in tryouts by knocking down shots…

But everyone has the occasional poor shooting day.

So make sure you aren’t relying on having a good shooting day by finding other ways to make a great impression on the coaches.

• Take a charge
• Communicate loud
• Dive on a loose ball
• Listen with your eyes
• Battle hard for rebounds

This tip is crucial.

As a player, you must realize what you do AND do not do well.

All players will have strengths and weaknesses.

You’ll make the best impression on the coaches by focusing on what you do well.

For example:

If you’re not a great shooter, it doesn’t make sense to throw up a wild shot every time you touch the ball in hopes of draining a three-pointer.

That’s likely not the best way to show the coaching staff how you will help their team.

On the other hand…

If you excel at rebounding, challenge yourself to be the BEST rebounder in the gym.

(Who would possibly cut the best rebounder on the team?)

Or maybe you’re a quick and savvy defensive player...

Make an effort to pressure your opponent full court and disrupt your man every time he or she has the ball.

By the end of basketball tryouts, make sure the coaches know exactly what you do well.

You’ll have time to improve your areas of weakness throughout the season.

Transition is a tremendously important part of the game.

Players who sprint in offensive transition can accumulate easy baskets. And players who run hard in defensive transition can wipe out easy opportunities for the opponent.

Both are crucial to winning games, and both can make an impression on your coaches.

Doing this well comes down to a few factors.

The first goes back to tip number one…

Be in shape!

Next, try to develop a mindset of running hard.

You don’t have to be the quickest player in the gym to run hard.

Players who can read the play and take off immediately in transition have a huge advantage over those who “ball watch”.

Coaches often talk about the importance of the first three steps in the transition game.

When your team gets a defensive rebound, take off!

If your opponent rebounds the ball, sprint back and be ready to make a play!

Your coaches will notice.

Basketball coaches are inherently detail-oriented.

If a play calls for a player in the corner, they want him all the way in the corner.

If a screen is supposed to be set on the elbow, that’s where it needs to be.

Be sure to listen and do your best to execute the nuances of the game.

You can also show your attention to detail in how you execute the fundamentals.

For example:

Many coaches include a brief form shooting segment in their practice plans.

Don’t simply flip up the ball...

Get your feet set, snap your wrist, and hold your follow through!

Executing these details show that you are focused and trying to do your best.

Your team’s basketball tryout is a competition.

While it’s not productive to get caught up in comparing yourself to other potential players, you do need to be ready to compete hard.

The best way to compete is by simply doing YOUR best in every part of the tryout.

That’s all anyone can expect you to do!

If you play as hard as you can in every drill and scrimmage, you will put yourself in great position to not only make the team, but to excel and have a great season.

Coaches understand that the basketball tryouts process can be stressful for players.

Trust me, it can be stressful for us as well!

Coaches want to see players excel and show how they can help the team.

So relax!

Prepare yourself to the best of your ability, be confident, be a great teammate, focus, and do your best. If you do those things, you are bound to have a successful tryout.

Good luck!

8 Tryout Tips Guaranteed to Get You Noticed (And What To Avoid So You Don't Get Cut)

Do you know exactly what the coach is looking for in tryouts? Do you know everything you need to do?

You may think that you do, but its highly unlikely.

Actually, what you think would help with tryouts may be the exact reason you get cut from the team. Sad thing is that Ive seen players like you make these critical mistakes over and over and over again.

Ive been fortunate to conduct tryouts for youth clubs with over 400 kids. Ive also been part of high school varsity tryouts with 100 kids for a state championship caliber team at the high school level.

Im able to give you the critical tips that can help you make the team and avoid those mistakes that get you cut.

Like this article? Download it as a free PDF! (Download Now!)

1. Do what you do well.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to impress the coach by doing things that are outside your skill set. This often results in a disaster for you.

If you are a good rebounder, grab every rebound.

If you are a good shooter, shoot when you are open.

If you are a good finisher, attack the basket when a lane is open.

If you are a good ball handler, make the simple passes, the simple moves.

If you are not a good 3-point shooter, dont step out and shoot one during tryouts. Ive seen kids literally hit the side of the backboard trying to do this.

The coach will instantly think, Wow. This kid does not know a thing about shot selection. Maybe hes a low IQ kid.

Trust me... with the limited time that a coach can see you... this is not the impression you want to make. Even if you play great the rest of the time, the coach already has impression about you and thats hard to change.

Here is a good measure... can you make 7 out of 10 shots unguarded from a spot. Maybe 6 out of 10 for youth players. If not, dont take the shot at tryouts.

2. Hustle! Hustle! Hustle!

There is no excuse for any player on this one. You just have to commit and develop that mentality.

When the ball is on the floor, dive on the floor. Box out on every shot. Sprint on the fast break. Sprint to spots on the floor on defense.

Communicate on defense and offense. Be loud and do it often.

These are things that every player can do and every player should do.

This is why you see players who arent skilled make the team. Theyre willing to do the little things that make teams good or great.

3. Dont be just one of the guys in the crowd - Make a great first impression.

Here is a great way to make a first impression.

When the coach calls everybody in at the beginning of the first tryout...

Instead of walking out there or jogging out there like every other kid.

Sprint! Sprint directly to the coach and stand right in front of him. Stand tall and keep eye contact on the coach during the entire talk.

I guarantee youll have the coachs attention. Ive conducted tryouts. Ive been in rooms with coaches discussing who to cut. This makes a difference.

Your buddies may give you some crap, but youll be the one laughing when you make the team or get more playing time than them.

4. Avoid the amazing play mentality. Do something that makes you stand out in a positive way.

This is not what you think. This is not making an amazing play. Remember... do what you do well.

Flashy doesnt impress coaches. It may look cool on the playground, but thats why you dont see NBA guys doing streetball moves during games. Its flash. Its hype. Its not effective against good players.

You should do something with substance that coaches will notice in a positive way.

Earlier, I mentioned communicate on defense.

One time when I was conducting a tryout for 3rd to 8th graders, we were with the 4th grader session.

All of the sudden, across the gym, I hear a blaring yell Screen! Screen! Screen! It was from this little guy named Tommy.

Ten seconds later, I hear Tommy yell again, I got ball!

This continued the whole day. He communicated early. He communicated loud. He communicated often. (ELO Early Loud Often. Kevin Eastman would have been proud.)

There may have been 30 other kids communicating in the gym, but he is the only one I remembered. I didnt know him before the tryouts, but I sure know him now. Guess what... he made the first team.

5. Dont be shy Talk to the coaches before tryouts.

Too many make the big mistake of being too shy to talk to the coach. And this can make a huge difference with making the team.

Sometimes, this simple act will elevate you in the eyes of the coaches because they know that you care and youll do whatever it takes to help the team.

Be specific. Tell the coach that you really want to make the team. Ask them what they need on their team.

6. Be a great teammate Great attitude and sportsmanship

Every coach wants a player who is a great teammate and makes the players better around them.

You can do this by...

• Being a great practice player and challenging your teammates during practice to make the team better.

• By putting everybody in a better mood with your positive attitude. Lets face it... were all humans and its more enjoyable to have a little fun in life. Nobody wants to be around a person with a poor attitude.

• Display great sportsmanship. When a coach sees you helping players off the floor and playing hard but clean basketball, they know that they can count on you not to lose your cool and hurt your team in a negative way at an important time.

7. Get there early / warm up properly.

Getting there early shows the coach that you care and that he can depend on you to show up on time to practices and games.

Also, make sure to warm up prior to playing, so you are playing your best as soon as the whistle blows. First impressions are very important.

8. Who cares if you screw up Next play!

If you make a mistake... oh well, it happens. Everybody makes mistakes.

Always go on to the next play.

The best players react in a positive way to those mistakes and dont let them snowball into a bunch of mistakes.

There are no guarantees in life. However, if you use the tips mentioned above, you will dramatically increase your chances to make the team and earning more playing time.

If you are serious about becoming a better player, we offer Basketball Camps throughout the country during the spring, summer, and fall.

To check out the different camps, Click Here.

Recommended DVDs & eBook:

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

Go get an education, it's too late for you to become a basketball player - The Jay's - Blogs

NBA players who started playing basketball very late

We all know basketball players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. They played basketball all their lives, they were talked about even during their school years and no one was surprised by the fact that sooner or later they would get into the world's major basketball league.

But what about the players who first picked up an orange ball, not at age three, but in high school, or worse, college? What chances do they have to achieve at least some success in the basketball field, and do they exist at all?

Everyone has a chance. This is the beauty of basketball. Today we will talk about athletes who got acquainted with basketball much later than most players.

Joel Embid

When began: 2011 (15 years)

Statistics for career: 22.8 + 9.9 + 2.8 + 2.0 (Glasses \ Transfer \ Blocks) 9000

Achievements: All-Rookie First Team, All-Star, NCAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Process already looks like the top 3 center in the entire league. In today's NBA, if you're a center and you don't have a good and consistent shot, you're in for the fate of Hassan Whiteside. Old-school centers are no longer interesting to anyone, their actions are predictable, there is no threat from them on the arc, therefore this gives more freedom to the defending team. And that's why players like Anthony Davis, Karl Towns, DeMarcus Cousins ​​and Joel Embiid sat down on the "basketball Olympus".

But if in the case of the first three centers, the ascent took 15-20 years, then Embiid needed only 7.

Initially, "The Process" wanted to become a volleyball player and try his hand at the European Championships. But when the young Embiid was 15 years old, he picked up a basketball for the first time and began to copy Hakim Olajuwon's style of play. Joel liked the game so much that in the same year he went to a basketball camp organized by Luc Mba a Mute in Cameroon.

As a result of this camp, Luke was so impressed with Embiid's game and potential that he invites him to try himself in America.

Joel Embiid moves to the USA at the age of 16 and decides to become a professional basketball player.

In the states, the "Process" continued to progress and ended up in one of the best student organizations - Kansas. In his only college season, Embiid scored something like 11+8, entered the top 30 students and entered the draft with a back injury.

At first, Joel did not work out in the NBA, just because of the unfortunate injury, and for the first two years he almost completely lay in the infirmary. But after the recovery and after the last season, we see a top center, who is undoubtedly far from his peak and will continue to progress.

Dennis Rodman

When began: 1983 (21 years old)

Statistics for career: 7.3 + 13.1 + 1.8 + 0.6

achievements: member of the Glory Hall, 5-fold champion NBA, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 2-time All-Star, 7-time defensive top five.

The best rebounder in basketball history, ready to rip opponents' elbows out with the ball, only got to know basketball in high school. And it is very difficult to call this acquaintance the beginning of his basketball career. Rodman, a model of his school years, did not really know how to dribble, and his shots from under the basket left much to be desired, not to mention the shots from the middle. As a result, throughout his school career, Rodman sat on the bench. Also, young Dennis tried to get into the school football team, but failed there too.

Of course, after such a school "performance", no college offered Rodman an athletic scholarship. As a result, Dennis graduates from high school and goes to work as a janitor at the local airport. And just at that time, the young player has a so-called "growth spurt" and decides to try his hand at basketball again, despite the fact that he did not feel very comfortable in his new two-meter body.

A family friend of the Rodmans, got a position as head coach at a small college in Texas, and offered the young Dennis a scholarship. As a result of his first and only semester (Rodman was expelled for poor progress), the young player scores 17 + 13! Agree, very good numbers for a player who a couple of years ago could not get out from under the ring.

The most interesting thing is that during high school, Dennis was only 170 cm tall. But by the time he went to college at 21, Rodman was already 204 cm tall! It's amazing how he has grown so much in just 4 years.

After his first undergraduate performance failure, Rodman was given a second chance at an Oklahoma college whose team was NAIA. There he spends three fruitful years, gaining 25 + 15, becomes the leader in rebounds and gets into the 19th draft.86, where he was drafted 3rd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the second round.

Everything that happened next is history. Dennis went from a calm and reserved player who did his job in the Pistons, like other "bad guys", into an outrageous, media player.

But it is worth noting that this did not affect his game in any way. Rodman became the best defensive player of the championship 2 times, got into the top five defensively 7 times and became the best rebounder 7 times in a row. Well, it’s not worth talking about his five championships, everyone already knows about it.

Interesting fact: Father Dennis Rodman has 48 children.

Another interesting fact: Dennis Rodman is the oldest of them.

Moving on.

Khakim Potzhavon

When I started: 1979 (16 years old)

Statistics for career: 21.8 + 11.1 + 2.5 + 3.1

Achievements for Career: Member of the Glory Hall, 2- 2- 2- 2- 2- 1x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, one of the top 50 basketball players of all time.

The Dream, until the age of 16 he was exclusively fond of football and handball. And it was a football career that helped Hakim with footwork and body balance in the future.

At the age of 16, the two-meter Olajuwon is invited to take part in a basketball tournament (despite the fact that Hakim has never played it). There, a basketball coach notices him and informs Hakim's parents that their son may have a good career, but in Nigeria he will remain only budding. Hakim begins to train hard with his coach in order to achieve something in professional sports. Here's what he said about basketball:

Basketball is something unique. When I took the ball in my hands, I immediately knew that this is what I want to do all my life, you know? After that moment, any other sports lost their meaning for me.

As a result of all this, the parents of a young basketball player send him to America, where Houston College was waiting for him to watch. Hakim impressed coach Guy Lewis with his game and he accepted the young player into the squad.

Season 1980/1981 Olajuwon missed out because he was still too young to play in the NCAA (17 years old). But over the course of the next three years in college, Hakim screwed up and showed the entire student league who's boss in the paint!

He becomes the Final Four MVP, also earns the NCAA Southwest Conference MVP, and the Rockets begin to fold the 1983/1984 season to take Hakim with the first pick in the upcoming draft.

If you are reading this and think that Hakim was very good, you are right. But do not forget that The Dream achieved all this in 5 years from the moment of his first basketball game!

What happened next - you yourself know everything again. Hakim became one of the best centers in the history of basketball, an innovator and creator of new offensive techniques in the paint. Seriously, show me one player in the history of basketball that has played better than Hakim in the post?

Olajuwon led his hometown of Houston twice to the championship, became the most valuable player in one of the finals, the most valuable player in the league and was twice recognized as the best defensive player. Great career, great player!

Mutombo

When I started: 1984 (17 years old)

Statistics for careers: 9.8 + 10.3 + 2.0 + 2.8

Achievements: member of the glory hall NBA, 8-time All-Star, 4-time Defensive Player of the Year, 2-time rebounding leader, 3-time block shot leader.

Another African who started playing basketball very late.

Until the age of 17, Dikembe "not in my house" Mutombo was fond of football only and did not see himself anywhere except on a wide lawn (or sandy wasteland) with goals along the edges. So his youth passed, if not for his older brother, who invited him to play basketball.

Basketball meets Dikembe in style. In the first game, Mutombo cracks his chin and tells his brother that he will never play this "stupid game" again.

But still, after a couple of weeks, the brother again persuades Dikembe to play. And from that moment began the basketball adventure of one of the best defensive players in the league. Mutombo started playing in the African League and achieved excellent results. A vivid confirmation of this is a sports scholarship from Georgetown.

Mutombo enters the NCAA at the age of 21 and immediately shows great results. In his very first season, Dikembe manages to make 12 blocks in ONE game! And in general, the period 1988-1990 was one of the best in history for Georgetown. Under the ring, along with Dikembe, was another future member of the hall of fame - Alonzo Morning. Their bunch was even nicknamed "Rejection Row".

College career can be called successful. Mutombo was named to the NCAA East Division First Team as well as the All NCAA Third Team, and was selected with the 4th pick in the 19 draft91, aged.. 25 years old.

But even with such a late start, Mutombo had a long and fruitful career, spending as many as 18 seasons in the league!

He achieved everything, almost everything. Dikembe never received the coveted ring, but few would say that his career was not a success.

Throughout his career, the Congolese basketball player has demonstrated high professionalism, quality defense and incredible block shots. Mutombo was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year four times, was elected to the league's All-Stars three times, and took part in the All-Star game eight times.

Tim Dancan

When he started: 1991 (15 years)

Statistics for careers: 19. 0 + 10.8 + 2.2 9000,0002 Career achievement: 5-time NBA, NBA, NBA, 5-fold champion 2-time MVP, 3-time Finals MVP, 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-Star (10 times first), 15-time Defensive Five, Rookie of the Year, 2003 Athlete of the Year, NCAA Player of the Year .

Tim Duncan is the best basketball player of the 2000s and possibly the greatest basketball player of the 21st century. Try to convince me of this as much as you like, but such a stable, unselfish and simply excellent player is very difficult to find. Duncan is a hard worker who does an enormous amount of work from game to game, from season to season, without requiring any attention and encouragement from the basketball community.

But it all started in the Virgin Islands, when young Tim, looking at his sister Trisha, who was a swimmer, wanted to follow in her footsteps. Duncan trained hard every day and dreamed of taking part in the Olympic Games - 1992.

But his dream was not destined to come true. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo swept through the Caribbean and caused damage to many countries, including Tim Duncan's native Virgin Islands. And everything would be fine, but the same hurricane destroyed the only pool on the islands and Duncan now had nowhere to train.

You say - hey, if he lives on an island, then the ocean is around! Why shouldn't he train there? It's very simple - Duncan is terrified of sharks. That is why his swimming career ended so early.

At the age of 15, Duncan picks up a basketball for the first time and starts playing for the school team. And here is what his first coach said about Timmy:

Duncan was huge. He was big and tall, I haven't trained players like that for a long time. But despite all his dimensions - he was just terribly clumsy!

Gradually Tim began to improve, averaging 25 points in his senior year at school. His game has attracted a large number of universities and colleges from all over America. And Wake Forest offered the young player an athletic scholarship.

In college, Duncan begins to develop his usual playing style. Simple but effective. Duncan combined many aspects of the game, such as high-quality post play, open mid-range shots, and tough defense. It was this style that helped not only him, but also his team, to show good results in the NCAA.

Duncan, one of the few superstars (if not the only one) who spent all four years of college! All because he promised his mother, who died the day before Tim's 14th birthday, that he would graduate from college and get an education.

In the end, over 4 years in college, Tim was 97-31, scored over 2,000 points, 1,500 rebounds and 400 blocks and was automatically selected for the 1998 draft, where he was selected with the first pick of the San Antonio Spurs.

With the Spurs, Duncan first became assistant to David Robinson, then became the team leader himself for many years. San Antonio is a 15-year dynasty, just like the New England Patriots (as a fan of all Boston teams, I just had to compare the two franchises). And all this time, the main face of the team was Tim Duncan, the man who achieved everything in the NBA.

9000 All-Star Team Member, 2nd NBA Team.

Giannis was born in Grezzi, in a family of Nigerian immigrants and until the age of 13 he played only football, having absolutely no idea what basketball is and who needs it at all.

Yannis and his family had a hard time, to put it mildly. There was a catastrophic lack of money, so he and his brother sold all sorts of trinkets, watches, bags on the streets, trying to somehow help their parents with finances. Well, after a hard day, Giannis and his brother went to the football field and chased the ball until late.

That was until 2007, when basketball appeared in the life of the young Antetokounmpo.

The young player fell in love with the game and began to devote all his free time to developing his basketball skills. And it paid off! Two years later, in 2009, Giannis starts playing for Fylatlitikos youth team.

In 2012, The Greek Freak made the main roster, spent a middle season in the Greek League Two and entered the 2013 draft, where the Milwaukee Bucks nonetheless were selected.

Giannis' NBA career developed over three seasons. The coaching staff worked very competently here, which, as Antetokounmpo performed in the league, gradually loaded him with new baggage of knowledge and skills. Giannis soaked it all up like a sponge and as time went by, his minutes played and his role in the team increased.

Now Giannis is the future of basketball, the second LeBron, the man who can make the Eurostep from the three-point line. I'm afraid to imagine what will happen to this player in the future, because Giannis is only 23 years old! And he is already a franchise player and will progress in each next season.

Mark Eaton

Started: 1977 (21 years old)

Career stats: 6.0 + 7.9 + 1.02 9.02 + 1.020005

Achievements: 2x Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star, 4x Block Shot Leader, 3x Defensive Five.

Mark Eaton's story is perhaps the most amazing of all the players featured. Despite his rather impressive height (224 cm), Mark preferred to play water polo (???) than basketball.

After Eaton graduated from high school, he went to college to become an auto mechanic. Immediately after graduation, Mark moves to Anaheim, where he begins to work in his new profession.

After three years of carefree life as a car mechanic, he is found by Tom Lubin, who was fixing his car at Mark's. Tom was a chemistry teacher and assistant head coach at a small college in California. It was he who suggested that Mark try his hand at basketball and did not lose.

In two years of college, Eton averaged 14 points and led his college to victory in the California Collegiate Championship. After that, Mark chooses the Phoenix Suns in the 19 draft.79 in the fifth round. Eton had the right to refuse and return to college, which he did.

But this was not a small college somewhere in the middle of California. Eton received an offer from the famous UCLA, which he, of course, accepted.

Career at the main college of Los Angeles did not go up, but flew down with terrible force. In two years, Mark spent only 42 minutes, gaining 1+2 in 11 matches. And of course, no one wanted to take him in the draft. Nobody but Utah. The leadership of "Jazz" was guided by iron logic - everything can be taught to the big, the main thing is that it is big.

Fun fact: Wilt Chamberlain was in attendance at UCLA once Eaton played. The great center saw the frustrated Mark and gave the young player some advice, in particular: to "score" on attacking actions and focus on protecting his own ring, collect rebounds and pass the ball to faster partners, instead of competing with the same fast opponents. The conversation is said to have marked a turning point in Mark's career.

"Utah" did not lose. In his first season, Mark becomes the team's starting center while setting a new league record for blocked shots in a season. In the 1973-1974 season, Mark averaged 5.5 blocks per game and also grabbed 11 rebounds and was named the best defensive player.

Eton's career can hardly be called great. But the fact that he was an excellent defensive player should not be in the slightest doubt. Two titles of the best defender of the league and fixed by “Utah” 53rd number is a vivid confirmation of this!

Players who also started late: Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, Manute Bol, Michael Olowokandi, Steven Adams.

As you can see, everything depends on desire, hard work and daily training. If you are over 20 years old and you are an African seven-footer, then you have a good chance of getting into the world's major league. But if not, you still have a chance. 1 out of 100,000, 1 out of 1,000,000, but it's there. Train, improve, love basketball and you will succeed!

Thank you for your time!

Students in professional clubs.

One step closer to the goal…

League news

October 10, 2019

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For many, school basketball is not just a hobby, it is the beginning of a great professional path for athletes. In the 2014-2015 season For the first time, the best players of the Superfinal of the IES-BASKET SBL Championship received tickets to the training camps of professional basketball clubs. Since then, awarding tickets to the best players of the Superfinal has become a good tradition of the IES-BASKET SBL Championship project. In the 2018-2019 seasongg. Both boys and girls received tickets.

Aleksandra Pilyaeva (ShBK Kometa, Oryol Region), Daria Merzlaya (ShBK Fakel, Arkhangelsk Region) went to the sports club "MBA" (Moscow) and received a ticket to the sports club "Dynamo" (Novosibirsk region), Elizaveta Korshunkova (ShBC "Phoenix", Ivanovo region) trained with the players of BC "Samara" (Samara region), the best center of the Championship Ekaterina Ivanova (SHBC "Olga & K", Samara region) was invited to the BC "Academy" (Perm Territory).

Alexander Kuznetsov from the Oreshki Sports Club (Mari El Republic) was invited to try his hand at the Nizhny Novgorod Sports Club (Nizhny Novgorod), Artyom Starostin (Palestra, Tver Region) visited the PARMA Sports Club (Perm Territory) . Ivan Samoilenko (ShBK "Lyceum 5", Republic of Tatarstan) was chosen by representatives of the BC "Ural" (Yekaterinburg). The participant of the final match Georgy Drozdov (ShBK "Kuznetsk Owls", Kemerovo region) received a ticket to the BC "Tambov" (Tambov region). Saipudin Abdurakhmanov (SBC "Kaspiy", Astrakhan region) gained experience of working with professionals in the sports club "Samara" (Samara region).

After the training camp, the players and their mentors shared their impressions of working together.

Daria Merzlaya (ShBK Fakel):

- I was well received at the club. I was afraid that it would be difficult for me to join the team, but after the first training session, this fear disappeared.

Professional training is of course different from school team training. In the club we did a lot of new exercises for me, and the load there was much greater. In addition, I could not get used to the “working conversation” for a long time. At first I spoke softly, but over time I began to do it confidently and loudly.

Training in a professional club gave me the opportunity to think about many things and draw important conclusions. The most important of them is that there is always something to strive for and something to improve in your game.

Remembering myself at the beginning of my sports career, I would like to note that I didn't even think about basketball. My athletics coach suggested that I give it a try and I accepted. Started training and making progress. As a result, I said goodbye to athletics and went deep into basketball. After the district competition, I was offered to move to another school and play in the IES-BASKET School Basketball League Championship. I hadn't even heard of this at the time. After considering this offer, I made up my mind. She started playing in the Championship from the 7th grade. Since that moment we had both victories and defeats, and a year later we got to the Superfinal for the first time, which was held in Nizhny Novgorod. Unfortunately, we took only 5th place. It was very disappointing, but for my team it was a good incentive. We wanted to climb the step of the podium. The following year, at the Superfinal in Togliatti, we took 3rd place. An embarrassing defeat in the semi-finals and a worthy victory in the match for 3-4 places led us to the desired result. Emotions were indescribable, but you should always strive for more! This year we will try to surpass our last year's result, and for this we need to work hard and hard.
Thanks to the League, basketball became a part of my life, I met my current friends and people from other cities with whom I still keep in touch. Basketball is an integral part of me, thanks to this sport I have become who I am, I have found loyal friends, the support of relatives and, of course, the dream of playing a match in a big arena.

Head coach of the youth team of BC Dynamo (Novosibirsk region) Alexey Gulyaev:

- Dasha has good physical data, especially speed and stability. Unfortunately, it was not possible to see the girl in a game situation, since the pre-season training camp included mainly general physical training. I note the discipline and diligence of the player.

Dasha's height data are typical for the first issue. However, in order to play this position, her left hand is poorly developed. To date, the level of Dasha is the level of DUBL. She needs to practice a lot and get game experience. The girl has another year for this, so everything depends only on her.

I think it's important for players from the school league to try out for a professional club, especially if it's at the Superleague-2 level. Girls and boys will be able to learn a lot for themselves and draw conclusions on what they need to work on. In addition, in a team with stronger players, schoolchildren are drawn to the leaders. This contributes to their development.

Saipudin Abdurakhmanov (ShBK "Kaspiy"):

- Of course, in the training camp of the professional club there were many exercises that I did not do with my team. Also, the loads offered are much more than at school. But the hardest thing for me was to find a common language with partners on the site, since I had not played with these guys before. But gradually I started to get it. I am glad that I was able to try my hand, evaluate the possibilities and understand what I need to work on.

This trip taught me that no matter how good you are, there is always someone better and more experienced than you. Therefore, you need to give all the best to the maximum and not stop training.
I came to basketball after my older brother. For me, basketball is a game that you can enjoy. A game in which you can show your character and yourself. In the 2019-2020 season we will try to become the winners of the regional stage of the IES-BASKET SBL Championship. In addition, I play for Team Astrakhan State University (“Caspian Wolves”). I hope that this season we will be stronger than other teams of the ASB championship in the Astrakhan division and go to the qualification in the Sergey Belov league.

Ilya Loktionov, head coach of the men's team "Samara-DYuBL":

- Saipudin has a lack of a basketball school in many respects, but his desire, character and physical abilities allowed him to compete with other guys in training. I note that the basketball player has a good throw.

Saipudin came to the training camp for experience, he wanted to get the most out of training. He listened to every word and absorbed what the second coach and I tried to convey to the players in the exercises. For further development, I think he needs to find exercises to improve his gaming and technical skills, now everything is publicly available on the Internet, and, of course, go to the gym and work hard. In addition, Saipudin needs to develop those physical abilities that he already has.

Saipudin is a decent and well-mannered guy who has a great desire to develop in basketball. I hope he will make every effort and try to get into the team of the VTB United Youth League next year.

I would like to note that the activity of the IES-BASKET SBL is very important for Russian basketball. The league is growing, developing in the right direction and giving players from regular schools the opportunity to try their hand at training experience in professional basketball clubs. This is the next stage of player development. Perhaps, thanks to this particular project, someone will have a chance to get into a professional team.

Elizaveta Korshunkova (ShBK "Phoenix"):

- In Samara, I was met and received well. The coaches explained in detail what I should do, and the girls supported and prompted. I am glad for the new experience, the opportunity to visit a professional club and see my strengths and weaknesses. Of course, the camps in the club are more busy and stressful in training. But I think I got the job done.

This year I graduated from school and entered Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation named after V. Ya. Kikot . I would really like to continue to train and play, but, unfortunately, our university does not have a basketball team.
I have been playing basketball for 10 years. In the second grade, my coach Alexander Anatolyevich Mishurov came to my class and asked who wants to play basketball. I decided to give it a try and started going to workouts with my sister. Basketball and the team mean a lot to me because we've been through a lot together. I really fell in love with this sport, and now it’s very hard for me without it at the university, but I’m sure that I didn’t say goodbye to basketball forever.

Head coach of the women's team "Samara-Junior" Olga Ovcharenko:

- First of all, I want to say that the participation of children from the IES-BASKET League in the training process of professional clubs is a good idea. I support this project, as it gives children a chance to try their hand outside of school basketball. Moreover, I know cases when children from school and student sports got into professional teams.

Liza Korshunkova from the Ivanovo region came to our club. I note that the basic skills of the girl are very good. She is well prepared physically and technically - she knows how to drive and throw the ball. If she got into professional sports a year or two earlier, I would not doubt her sporting future. But now I’ll say that the competition in teams is very high, and if Lisa wants to connect her life with professional sports, she needs to find a team, train with girls stronger than herself and, of course, work extra individually. I wish Liza to strive for her goal and achieve high results!

Artem Starostin ( Palestra ):

– I would like to note the professional approach of the club's coaches. After getting to know me, , the coaches specified what I was doing now, what injuries I had and what period had passed since the recovery.
Club training is different, of course. First of all, the amount of load. This is professional basketball and the players face completely different tasks. After training at BC PARMA, I concluded that I need to devote much more time to working in the gym in order to become stronger and more resilient.
I love basketball and would like to try my hand at professional sports. Season 2019-2020 – this is my last season in the IES-BASKET SBL Championship. After graduation, I will try to break into a professional club.

Roman Dvinyaninov, head coach of the youth team of BC "PARMA":

- Unfortunately, Artyom got injured during training, after which he trained in an easy mode, so he could not show himself to the fullest.

In general, I want to note that Artyom's data is good. He may well join the ranks of some youth team or CYBL team, and then the main team of a professional club. To do this, he needs to work hard individually, improve his physical qualities and technical skills.

I would like to wish Artyom further development in the chosen direction and, of course, good luck not only on the basketball court, but also in life!

Alexandra Pilyaeva (ShBK "Kometa"):

– The main difference between training with professionals, of course, is the number of training hours and their intensity. But since I had a good coach at school, and we worked hard, I did not encounter any special difficulties.

I started playing basketball in the 4th grade. Thanks for this to my coach Mikhail Mikhailovich Altukhov, who invited me to the first training session. From the very first training, this sport interested me, and I realized that it was forever. This year I graduated from high school and entered the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sports, Youth and Tourism, which is located in Moscow. I devote a lot of time and energy to training, so I really want to become a professional player and connect my future with basketball.

My goal for the 2019-2020 season – get into a professional club and achieve the highest results with it.

Igor Kocharyan, General Director of PBC "MBA" :

– Even at the Superfinal of the IES-BASKET SBL Championship, it was noticeable that Sasha stood out from her peers. Of course, in a professional club, she had to get used to the high intensity and competition. Here, the team almost always prevails over the individual, the defense is tougher, and any mistake is punished by the opponent's points scored.
I note that Sasha almost immediately joined the team, became part of our team and went almost all the way to prepare for the season. The fact that she withstood it speaks, at least, of the excellent physical preparation of the basketball player.
We wish Sasha to develop and progress. This is what every player needs, especially the young ones. She only touched professional basketball. We are convinced that the athlete understood that nothing is impossible.

The practice of sending young players from the high school league to professional teams deserves special attention. Firstly, becoming a "pro" is the dream of every schoolboy playing basketball. And secondly, it is the motivation for further work. Young athletes have the opportunity to learn what is hidden from the eyes of ordinary fans. We have been cooperating with the IES-BASKET SBL Championship project for several years, it is a pleasure to be a friend of the League. We always have great respect for the path taken by the organizing team. Good luck in your chosen direction!

Alexander Kuznetsov ( Oreshki ShBK):

– A professional club creates excellent conditions for progress. Professionals are provided with a hall, meals, accommodation, a doctor and several coaches work with the players, who are responsible for various aspects of player development. While training at the Nizhny Novgorod sports club, I made a very important conclusion for myself - you need to devote time to working on concentration and spend even more time in the gym.

I started playing basketball in the 6th grade. At first I did not pay much attention to it, and then I realized that I would definitely connect my life with this sport, and began to work on myself. In the 2019-2020 season I will continue my performance for the Oreshki team in the IES-BASKET SBL Championship. I am sure that we will be able to show a result higher than last season. Roman Gorelovsky:

– Sasha came to us with great desire and good physical training, but he lacks technical and tactical training. The basketball player got a ticket due to his physical qualities and perseverance. But when you meet players who are equal in training, then technique and tactics come first.

In general, I think that it is a good practice to send students to the training camps of professional basketball clubs. For the second year in a row, the player of the IES-BASKET SBL, Egor Chepik, has been playing in our team.

Sasha's future, I think, depends on his goals, on which path he chooses.

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