Combine or not to combine... That is the question

Before you go to your next Camp/combine/ exposure event - You want to ask the right questions.

Players listen up!

before you pay hard-earned money on a ”Free Agent Camp“- ask some questions in order to make sure you are going to the right place and paying for what you are looking for...

Now when the summer is upon us and “Free Agency” season is knocking on our doors, let‘s take a quick look at the expression that is being used a bit too lightly lately - “Exposure camp”. 

These camps are being opened right and left all over the country (and sometimes as a try-out for a paid traveling team…) and there is no real standard to determine a good one from a total waste of time.

So in order to help you determine if this camp/combine fits your needs, will do any good to your next career move, or just make you $125 less rich, we put together this little questioner that will help you evaluate your next camp choice.

Before we dive into it, let's establish what you always want to do - define your outcome. What is that you want to gain out of this camp? Looking at this questioner via this point of view will help you to get some clarity. If your outcome is “a deal, a contract”. You might be setting yourself up for a disappointment. Most camps, even the ones that fit your level perfectly and have an enormous amount of agents and coaches, designed only to advance you to the next step. It is designed to get you to know the guy who can introduce you to your next coach. In addition, it might get you a solid recent video which will show your post-college strength and evaluate your readiness to the pro world. And that would be a bonus, but keep in mind that a camp in the USA for a weekend, chances are - not getting you a deal at the end of the weekend. A good camp should and will get you closer, though. We will detail below how to figure that out, but to gain that you need to be focus understanding what you are looking for. 

And one more thing before we start, one word about declaring “Scam” on someone. I see people use it too lightly lately. I saw the post in the “Pro-jobs” on facebook a couple of weeks ago about those guys who were taken to Mexico and left behind at the airport. And that (to be fair - without hearing the dude that have done that) sounds like a pre-planned “not too honest” action to say the least. But in many other cases, people get frustrated with buying lists and getting on placement programs of all different kinds and running to cry wolf. You need to ask questions. Be curious what will you get for your buck? Is it worth it? You need to tell if this is the right value for you. When I came to the US and was interviewed by schools, I asked questions. What am I expected to do? Obligated to do? What are you as an organization obligating yourself to me? And so I did in the pro-level teams I work with/ for. Vague answers? I got a red flag up. After 2 or 3 red flags one should be able to know if to walk away, run for your life or just sit down and figure things out with your AD / GM / Owner…

Ok, let's look into those aspects that will make your next combine worth your while:

1. Who in the attendance. Who are those teams, leagues or agents which will be attending and represented in the combine? You need to ask this question in order to understand the play level you are “applying to”. Most likely the top guys will fit this competition level. The rest will be a good pretty decoration for them. I will not sugar coat it for you. I saw it time and again. And yet - this is not a reason not to go as we mentioned above (experience, video, connections and so on). That will also help you to predict (to some extent) the outcome. Here are a few things you want to learn before going: 

The leagues these pro’s are coming from - How much does a player make if he gets signed? How long and how many games a week? Exact number (dates and games) and a range of salary, and you are in the clear. Vague answers? Might be a red flag right there. If the answer is “Semi pro and you will get paid only if you sell tickets”, you should ask yourself “Why am I paying money for a camp/combine with the hopes of being signed by a team that does not pay its players?” Now, do you want to play for this kind of team? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on many other aspects. But in order to be picked up for this kind of team, they can run a straight-up tryout and you can decide if a $75 tryout fee is ok for this opportunity for you at this point and time. If you have no other team, and that is the only local team in the area, that might be a better choice than sitting home. But you HAVE TO KNOW what you are paying for and what will you get in return. If they ask for $300 for a 2 day, 3 hours workouts, unless it is hosted in some fancy arena, with “heavyweight” coaches that might be an excessive charge. How excessive? Could worth a red flag. As well.

2. How much exposure? A camp having 3 guys from El Salvador, does not equal to 2 Germans or Italians. Do some research on these leagues and you will have a solid idea which will suit you better. As for the number of professionals at attendance (exposure camp it is called, right?) Having 2 agents on a 100 ballers camp is not a good ratio. If you put in the mix 2 additional GMs and 4 coaches, you got yourself a better chance to be in a conversation. Notice it is NOT a deal, nor an offer I am talking about. We are looking at a good chance to have a real direct conversation with someone. Which might lead to something, or not. Might lead to an introduction later on to the right person, who is close to an influential guy that will make the connection you need. One little exception to this note. The owner of the camp could be the exposure you need. And that you will learn at the point. But in short - if this guy placed last year alone 15 guys in the league you are looking to play in - the IS the exposure you need. You want to play in his camp regardless of the amount of pros-GM- Coaches attending the camp. 

3. Who are the alums who scored a job? If that is the first year of the camp they might not be able to answer that. And that does not mean an immediate red flag. We all started at some point. In that case - the owners’ history and connections can make up for lacking in this area (see #2 above). Use common sense and give them some credit. But also don’t ignore the red flags, just be polite and give them credit. So what would you ask? - Who previously played in this camp and where did they go as a result? You want to hear some names who were signed and were successfully promoted as a result of attending this camp. Now, remember, same as the next guy coming next year, most likely never heard of you before (as the next success story from this camp) you might have to go to Google and Eurobasket and the league’s website to find out who this alumnus is and how far he got. You need to be willing to do this research in order to be knowledgable. Find them and see if you can talk to them. On a different post, we are talking about how to ask for help. But for now, I will say just start with a compliment (which is true - you got them as the success story of the camp) and tell them “I would appreciate hearing your opinion”’ I would really appreciate your advice” or something along these lines.

4. Will it be filmed? Let’s say all the answers are ok. Not great or promising but ok. League level that might fit your needs and wants and a reasonable amount of pros will watch you. Here is a bonus that might push you towards going with the right mindset. If there are not many agents coming. But the competition level (players that paid already for the camp) is solid, you want to check if the camp will be filmed. You want as much footage as you can get. And don’t confuse yourself with stats. These camps’ stats have no meaning. Nothing. Usually, the defense is not as strong and there is no indication what it says, so most coaches don’t give much weight to it (if any). But footage? That, my friend, is worth gold. Especially if you have some holes in your resume. That will show your commitment, ability, and current shape. As I said - worth gold. 

To some it up:

Ask questions. And if one red flag is up, it still might be Kosher, but could be totally bogus. Second or third red-flag? well you are in good shape, right? So - RUN!!!!

Hope and trust this would help you gain some clarity looking for the camp that will push your career forward.

Good luck with your journey.

And as always, please let us know if we can be of any service to you, your career and fulfilling your dreams.

We will see you around the rim.

 Truly yours,

Coach Rangi.