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April 25, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Question from TW (a player): "Why is the ABA having tryout camps already? The season just ended.

Answer: TW. Thanks for the question. I receive calls everyday from players from throughout the world asking when the teams will be having tryout camps. So, the interest in tryouts is very high. There are several reasons for having them early with one of the most important being that teams want to get the best players possible as quickly as they can before they sign with another team.

The ABA will have over 60 teams next season, over 700 players. Another reason is that many teams are scheduling spring and summer exhibition games and want to put together squads to compete. Game conditions are a great way to evaluate players. We've just announced that West Palm Beach Imperials have a game coming up with a local team and the Indiana Alley Cats will be playing the Street Ball Invasion with Randy Gill.

I would assume that there will be many games all spring and summer. It is a good way for players to stay in shape also. I received another question about whether it was "for the money" because there is a tryout fee. There are costs to running a tryout camp, including facility, meals, coaches and evaluators, referees, marketing, shirts, etc. And, with a fee attached, usually only serious players tryout out, making evaluation easier. The good thing about ABA tryouts is that so many players do get jobs. And many who don't make the squads end up with the teams in other capacities including PR and community relations, marketing, TV/radio, game day operations, etc. We recommend that teams have tryouts to make sure that every player who wants to play and can play gets a good chance. Hope this answers your question. If you have a question, email joenewman@abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.



American Basketball Association Stories from April 25, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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