anon
07-22-2004, 05:19 PM
After talking with my good friend Not So Fast about the state of minor league basketball, it has become clear to us that something has to be done about all of these basketball camps. Now, this topic has been tossed around once before on this board, and nothing truly came from all that was discussed. With this thread I hope that something will be done to help protect the aspiring athletes of this nation.
Todays basketball players, post-college, are being preyed upon in ways that are now beginning to equal the way in which the elderly were preyed upon in the 80'sand 90's. A lot of individuals are causing aspirants to pay large fees for the purposes of being evaluated by professional scouts. For example, some players have attended 3-4 camps this year from coast to coast (and some are really talented players). On average these players have spent $125 dollars per camp. That equates to $375-500 in camp fees. In addition, they had to pay for travel to the locations as well as meals, and housing. In all, they have spent over $1,000 just to attend some camps. This is terrible.
NSF and I agree that enough is enough. There has to be a limit placed upon these camps, such as who can conduct them and when they can take place. Too many people are just robbing these poor unsuspecting players without threat of violence or a dangerous weapon. In addition, with all of this ABA expansion, there are more team run camps these days. No player can foot the bill that will be incurred while attempting to get maximum exposure. Most players want to be seen by CBA teams, ABA teams, and NBDL teams, as well as overseas teams. In order to do this you have to (1) be in the right place at the right time, or (2) hit the road and force yourself upon the coaches and scouts. Route 1 is the one that is rarely done, because it is rarely possible. Route 2 is the road most often traveled these days, because it is the only one available.
I propose that each individual state step up and enact legislation to protect the aspiring basketball player. The states should place a limit on who can run a camp, for example, teams should be allowed to run camps, but the time in which such a camp can occur shall be limited. Meaning, if the season starts in November, and the teams' mini-camps start in October, then there should be no individual camps ran by teams until Late August early September. (2) Leagues can run up to two scouting combines at any time prior to August. These scouting combines shall be used to allow all member teams to gather and evaluate talent (sort of like the NFL Combine and NBA Moody Bible camp). (3) Agents cannot hold camps to place players overseas, unless they get clearance from the Secretary of State for that particular state. Clearance shall be granted upon a showing by the person conducting the camp that (a) they are certified by the NBPA, (b) that there will be more than 1 actuall overseas coach is in attendance at the camp, and (c) the putting up of a $5,000 bond to ensure that if no scouts are there, the participants shall be reimbursed their fee.
In addition, the law can make teams that covertly attempt to bypass the rules and utilize an agent to run a camp in an attempt to scout players liable for civil damages, and make them pay for 1/2 of the amount reimbursed to the players by way of the bond. (therefore, american coaches will be seized of the chance to attend these agent run camps. That's why the leagues will run combines).
This may seem extreme to some, but it has to be done. The actions of some have spoiled it for those that actually help players and utilize camps for their intended purpose. Some coaches conduct camps and actually sign players for their team through the use of this method. I wish more people could be like that, but unfortunately that is not the case these days. As NSF mentioned, baseball camps are generally free. Why aren't basketball camps like this. I mean, in order to see talent, why place a barrier to their entry? You are shooting yourself in the foot. You charge a fee to keep those that are not serious out of the gym, but in essence, you are keeping those that are not economically well-off out of the gym as well. And I am here to tell you, a lot of good players are in the latter class.......
Todays basketball players, post-college, are being preyed upon in ways that are now beginning to equal the way in which the elderly were preyed upon in the 80'sand 90's. A lot of individuals are causing aspirants to pay large fees for the purposes of being evaluated by professional scouts. For example, some players have attended 3-4 camps this year from coast to coast (and some are really talented players). On average these players have spent $125 dollars per camp. That equates to $375-500 in camp fees. In addition, they had to pay for travel to the locations as well as meals, and housing. In all, they have spent over $1,000 just to attend some camps. This is terrible.
NSF and I agree that enough is enough. There has to be a limit placed upon these camps, such as who can conduct them and when they can take place. Too many people are just robbing these poor unsuspecting players without threat of violence or a dangerous weapon. In addition, with all of this ABA expansion, there are more team run camps these days. No player can foot the bill that will be incurred while attempting to get maximum exposure. Most players want to be seen by CBA teams, ABA teams, and NBDL teams, as well as overseas teams. In order to do this you have to (1) be in the right place at the right time, or (2) hit the road and force yourself upon the coaches and scouts. Route 1 is the one that is rarely done, because it is rarely possible. Route 2 is the road most often traveled these days, because it is the only one available.
I propose that each individual state step up and enact legislation to protect the aspiring basketball player. The states should place a limit on who can run a camp, for example, teams should be allowed to run camps, but the time in which such a camp can occur shall be limited. Meaning, if the season starts in November, and the teams' mini-camps start in October, then there should be no individual camps ran by teams until Late August early September. (2) Leagues can run up to two scouting combines at any time prior to August. These scouting combines shall be used to allow all member teams to gather and evaluate talent (sort of like the NFL Combine and NBA Moody Bible camp). (3) Agents cannot hold camps to place players overseas, unless they get clearance from the Secretary of State for that particular state. Clearance shall be granted upon a showing by the person conducting the camp that (a) they are certified by the NBPA, (b) that there will be more than 1 actuall overseas coach is in attendance at the camp, and (c) the putting up of a $5,000 bond to ensure that if no scouts are there, the participants shall be reimbursed their fee.
In addition, the law can make teams that covertly attempt to bypass the rules and utilize an agent to run a camp in an attempt to scout players liable for civil damages, and make them pay for 1/2 of the amount reimbursed to the players by way of the bond. (therefore, american coaches will be seized of the chance to attend these agent run camps. That's why the leagues will run combines).
This may seem extreme to some, but it has to be done. The actions of some have spoiled it for those that actually help players and utilize camps for their intended purpose. Some coaches conduct camps and actually sign players for their team through the use of this method. I wish more people could be like that, but unfortunately that is not the case these days. As NSF mentioned, baseball camps are generally free. Why aren't basketball camps like this. I mean, in order to see talent, why place a barrier to their entry? You are shooting yourself in the foot. You charge a fee to keep those that are not serious out of the gym, but in essence, you are keeping those that are not economically well-off out of the gym as well. And I am here to tell you, a lot of good players are in the latter class.......