NBDL Players Prepare For Future
March 12, 2004 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C., March 12 â Players in the National Basketball Development League endure countless hours of preparation toward putting their basketball skills on display over a 46-game regular season. Forty-six windows of opportunity to catch the eye of an NBA scout that could provide the opportunity to live the dream.
However, the reality for NBDL players, as well as minor league basketball players nation-wide, is that most don't get to trade the bus rides for chartered jets, or the Comfort Inn for the comfort of The Four Seasons. With that in mind, the NBDL is committed to making sure its players, the ones who will never play in the NBA, as well as the ones who will, are equipped to handle life away from the basketball court.
Kevin Carr, the director of NBDL Player Programs, works in concert with the NBA's Player Programs Department to ensure "D-League" players are afforded the same opportunities to learn life skills as players in the NBA.
"For example, all 60 NBDL players participated in Health Education and Money Management workshops in December," Carr said. "Life Skills Workshops promote the development of personal skills deemed necessary for life success during and beyond basketball."
The Money Management Workshop was facilitated by league-sponsor Merrill Lynch of Charleston, S.C., and the Health Education Workshop was delivered by an expert from the University of North Carolina. In addition, NBDL players are afforded the opportunity to participate in a Mentor Program, Career Education Workshops and a Continuing Education Program.
The NBDL Mentor Program assists players in acquiring career information and networking by forging relationships with former NBA players or local business mentors from the community. Charlie Criss and Chucky Brown are former NBA players who serve as mentors to NBDL players.
"We appreciate the role our mentors take with the team they serve," NBDL president Phil Evans said. "Being able to pass along life lessons in a personal way, either through one-on-one sessions or over a shared meal is invaluable to NBDL players."
Players in the NBDL are also exposed to career counseling resources and skill development opportunities in areas such as interviewing skills and resume building. All NBDL teams were privy to a Career Education Workshop as recent as February. The workshop was conducted by Competitive Resource Group, a company that specializes in career development training and job training for current and former athletes.
NBDL players are also able to continue their studies through programs that emphasize academic progress, as well as practical business skills. Carr said that 23 current NBDL players have signed up for the NBDL Continuing Education Program and eight players just completed the Michigan State Online Business Communication Skills Program.
"The Michigan State program is an individualized, self-paced program to help players develop critical business skills," Carr said. "The players take courses in areas like negotiation, conflict management, communication skills, business writing and presentations, as well as how to conduct business meetings. Through our Continuing Education Program we also assist players with entry into or returning to school through distance learning and online programs."
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