Who Runs Grassroots Basketball? The Power of the Pen

This is an article from U1 Hoop Source:
POWER. Big time players in the world of basketball are in a constant game of tug-of-war over who controls the power. Shoe companies are after their next star. AAU Coaches are after shoe contracts and the ability to promote their own kids. Neighborhood hustlers are after a return investment from a kid they think will make it. But scouts possess the most power.
And here’s the catch, most scouts have never played the game.
Journalism is the foundation of recruiting. It is the exposure side to grassroots basketball. And when the foundation of basketball is flooded with non basketball guys it can disrupt the entire system.
Here is some the problems it causes:

• It is causing college coaches to lose their jobs. Believe it or not, college coaches are listening to these guys. College coaches are held to a standard by alumni to recruit a certain star player but what does this mean? What does it mean to be a five star player? Does a number next to a name without an explanation really constitute as a reason to take a player?

• Scouts are struggling to define lower level players. Do you know who is going to find the next LeBron James? Everyone. Star players are easily seen. It is easy for most scouts to find the top 150 players in the country. What really makes and breaks a scout is defining lower level players. There is a fine line between a low Division I player and Division II player. A scouts reliability should be tested upon said line.

• Scouts are copying each other. If one scout says a player is good, they all say the same thing. The reality is that some of these players aren’t what they are said to be. If one scout makes a mistake no one is correcting it. Many scouts are either afraid to be wrong or do not know enough about the game to stand on their own.

• Scouts are acting primarily as spectators. The most athletic players are often the most promoted. It is a popularity contest, and in the world of social media it has become easy to get a scholarship. 1. Be athletic. 2. Make a highlight tape with a couple of good moves. 3. Lie about a couple stats on twitter. Scouts are all flocking to the same players. When do the other kids get a chance to be scouted?

Aquille Carr – He needs a second shot. If he had real basketball people around him he would be in a better situation. A product of hype.

Many players have a glass ceiling held over their head before they enter their junior year of high school. And how can they improve their exposure when:

1. They are not on a shoe circuit team.

2. They do not go to an elite high school.

3. At camp, it is a survival of the fittest where the best pick up basketball players make an all-star game.

Basketball Finders is the change.

Basketball Finders is attempting to change to outlook of basketball. And here’s how we did it: