On Saturday, May 21, 2011, The Basketball Connection held its second Recruiting Combine at The Forge in Houston, TX. This event featured 25 talented players from the 9th grade through junior college. Most players were from the Greater Houston area. Louisiana, South Texas, and Dallas/Fort Worth were also represented by at least one player from each area.
Skills, 3v3, 5 on 5, All-Star Competition, Video and Photos
Players competed from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the events mentioned above. Skill competition scores and game stats were recorded. Obstacle course, Catch and shoot, 3v3 play and all games were video taped. LA Media was on hand and provided a photo session for all players. Skills competition winners were acknowledged at center court and photographed.
A six-man team of coaches selected the BBC Spring Combine All-Star Team. This was a difficult task because some quality players would not make the team. These passionate coaches could be heard down the hall as they deliberated. The selections were based on skills performance, stats, and character measures such as coachability, work ethic and teamwork. A power-packed and competitive All-Star game was the final event of the day.
Colleges in Attendance
The BBC would like to thank the coaches in attendance from the colleges below. We sincerely appreciate your support of the BBC and the players in this event. NCAA DI (Spring rule) and NCAA DII (Quiet Period) were prevented from attending due to NCAA rules. However, hundreds of these coaches will receive combime reports and will have access to combine videos as they are published.
Concordia University
Howard Payne University
Kingwood College
LeTourneau University
Our Lady of the Lake
ensured that the event was a great success! “The Dad’s” daughter, (our data entry team leader) got sick and will have surgery next week, Many thanks to desha Nelsom for stepping in and taking control! Our gym activity coordinator had an emergency call to work. Despite these and a few other challenges”the BBC team pressed forward.
The Dad’s” Recruiting Workshop – Flipping the Script
These issues lead to a change in the opening of “The Dad’s Recruiting Workshop”. No slides show. No video. No computer.“ The Dad opened up with a talk about dealing with adversity. Every player and parent was advised that adversity will come; it is inevitable. Attendees were also encouraged to take control of their recruitment, market themselves aggressively and press through bad news. As “J. Jizzy” from the movie, “The Perfect Holiday” says, “Can’t stop, won’t stop”!
Recruiting questions from players and parents were addressed during this session. Everyone was encouraged to carefilly consider these aged but relevant blogs:
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Overcoming Adversity
Adversity seemed to be the order of the day as a couple of players threw up and/or cramped up early in the day. Both players showed good determination by returning and continuing to work hard for the rest of the day. One of the players, Matt Brown, (Tatum HS-2009), went back to work and made the All-Star team.
Our guest speaker for the day was Louis Ray. Louis is a highly regarded trainer of professional athletes and a trainer, mentor and rehabilitation specialist for troubled collegiate athletes. Right on queue, Mr. Ray discussed overcoming adversity having no knowledge of events prior to his arrival.
Within minutes, players were hearing success stories about clients like Amar'e Stoudemire. The combine theme was being repeated; you can win despite adversity IF you refuse to quit and continue doing the right things! Lewis also dealt with not creating your own adversity. He emphasized the necessity of staying away from alcohol, drugs, excessive partying, intimate relationships and inappropriate associations. There were numerous illustrations of well known athletes whose careers and wealth were destroyed unnecessarily.
A Surprise Guest
Players, parents, coaches and fans received a treat when a surprise guest was handed a microphone. Jim Hicks of RCS Sports’, who is considered as one of the top recruiting specialists in the USA, briefly, addressed the combine. The All-Star team players who were warming up on the court quickly took seats on the court surrounding Jim. Mr. Hicks encouraged players to take advantage of and not waste the opportunities that are given them. Players listened intently; you would have thought that Michael Jordan was giving that address.
Thank You, Again!
The BBC extends many thanks to the speakers, parents, college coaches in attendance and the tireless workers who all determined to make this event a tremendous success! We cannot say “thank you” enough for encouraging and suportting these members of the BBC family of basketball players!
Post-Combine Reports
More Combine Info, Facts, Player Profiles and Videos can be found using the Links in he right column of this page. We will be adding to this links daily, so check for new data regularly.
The BBC Fall Recruiting Combine 2011 is coming for HS players! Watch the Combines page for announcementsl
The Dad