USBA to host Chinese tryouts
More than 60 players from North America and around the world are expected to come to the McKenzie Valley next month. They'll compete for 28 roster spots during the third annual Chinese Men's Professional Basketball
From: McKenzie River Reflections / STPNS
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MCKENZIE BRIDGE, Oregon (STPNS) -- RAINBOW: More than 60 players from North America and around the world are expected to come to the McKenzie Valley next month. They'll compete for 28 roster spots during the third annual Chinese Men's Professional Basketball League (CBA) player tryout camp and draft at the United States Basketball Academy's (USBA) training facility, from July 28 through August 3.
Players will play in daily games and workouts to show their talent and teamwork to the coaches and general managers of the 15 CBA teams. At the end of the camp, each CBA team will draft four players. Two will negotiate and sign contracts on draft day and be placed immediately on the team's active roster, while the other two players will be on the team's reserve list, ready for call-up in case of injury to one of the other foreign players. (CBA teams are allowed two foreign players each on a 12-man roster.)
"It's a highly competitive camp for these professional players," said Bruce O'Neil, CEO and founder of the USBA. "In the CBA, being a good team player is almost as important as talent, so each invited athlete will need to show the Chinese coaches more than flashy dunks, fancy ball handling, and sweet jump shots."
Players will face pressure not only on the court, but if they are chosen on draft day, they will have to commit to their new team and sign a contract before they leave the USBA.
"The CBA only wants players who want to play in China, so there are no drawn-out negotiations with players and agents," O'Neil said. "When the general managers and players sit down in our Great Hall, it's like watching 28 individual reality shows because players will sign contracts with their teams on draft day or not play in the CBA next season."
Since 2003, the CBA has contracted with USBA to create the player draft and a replacement player personnel system. Members of the CBA management team will attend this session and work with USBA staff to administer all aspects of the player draft and player personnel system. O'Neil said the draft is one of several initiatives the USBA and the CBA are creating to improve the quality of basketball for the 300 million basketball players and fans in China.
With its state of the art training facilities, the USBA annually hosts many national and professional teams from throughout the world, particularly China, and offers a focused training program using the latest technology, innovative coaching techniques and premier accommodations.
The USBA's advisory board and faculty include many of the world's most respected coaches and former players. Legendary coach John Wooden, Pete Newell, Bob Hill, Arvydas Sabonis, Bill Cartwright, Rick Barry, Dale Brown, Jim Harrick, George Karl, and Yeoh Choo Hock (secretary general of FIBA-Asia) top the list of more than 40 eminent basketball experts associated with the USBA.
The USBA has become one of the world's leaders in basketball education and coach-player services since it was founded in 1990. The academy serves as a training facility for national and professional basketball teams in China, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Venezuela as well as other teams from throughout the world.
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