Silver also discussed the state of the entire American youth basketball system, something he has previously cited as a concern, and said that could be an area the league moves to focus on in the future.
“If you’re seeing now what we’re seeing in terms of that close to 30 percent of the league, players born outside the United States, it’s clear that the development is very different in many of those programs outside the United States,” Silver said. “[There’s] more of a focus on practice, less of a focus on games, which seems to be the opposite of many of the youth programs in the United States.
“[Players are] coming into the league incredibly skilled,” Silver continued. “But that doesn’t necessarily translate to being team basketball players. And then what I’m hearing from some of those same coaches that may be complaining about inability to play defense is that these players are not as prepared as I’d like them to be, particularly as very high draft picks.”
The NBA is experiencing a significant shift with a record-breaking 125 players born outside the United States on opening-night 2023-24 season rosters, representing 40 countries and territories across six continents (ESPN). Former Notre Dame head coach and current Atlanta Hawks assistant coach, Mike Brey has predicted that over 50% of the NBA will be internationally born by 2029.
This should serve as a wake-up call for grassroots, high school, college, and USA Basketball!
The influx of international talent underscores the global nature of basketball and the need for the US to upgrade to a player development approach that more closely aligns with the success seen in European basketball.
Luckily, Pro Skills Basketball recognizes this imperative and is aligning our approach with the evolving needs of the sport. Listen to our Youth Hoops Pod here about the differences between the European and US development models.
Founded in 2009 by Brendan Winters and Logan Kosmalski while playing professional basketball in Europe (hence the name), Pro Skills Basketball has embarked on a transformative journey to redefine youth basketball development by building a Club Team program (rather than a typical “AAU team” program) that emphasizes a truly comprehensive player development model similar to international and European basketball academies.
WHY build a “European-style basketball academy”?
Not only because Pro Skills Basketball’s roots and culture come from Europe with the founders, as well as many of our City Directors and coaches (Rasheed Wright, JJ Miller, Pete Campbell, and more), having seen and experienced the European basketball system, but also because of what the data and experts are telling us!
In this in-depth exploration, we’ll delve into the reasons behind this strategic decision, drawing insights from NBA trends (as already mentioned), basketball experts, and the unique advantages of the European basketball system.
#1 The European Advantage: One Club All Year Round
A blog post on Point3 Gear outlines three key advantages that Europe has over the U.S. in youth basketball.
One significant factor is the concept of belonging to one club all year round, fostering continuity, clear expectations, and structured play. This stands in contrast to the prevalent AAU model in the U.S., where players often jump between teams, hindering their overall development.
With PSB teams, players take part in a year-round, flexible membership so that players have more time and access to organized development, while also retaining flexibility to play other sports.
#2 The Problem with US Youth Basketball: Tied to Scholastics
Mick Cronin, a respected figure in basketball coaching, sheds light on a critical issue within youth basketball in the U.S. According to Cronin, the biggest problem lies in the connection between basketball and scholastics, limiting players’ time and access to organized play.
In contrast, international players are accustomed to structured and coached gameplay for one club all year round, contributing significantly to their overall skill development.
Mick Cronin on the problem with youth basketball in America
“The biggest problem with basketball in this country is it’s tied with scholastics where everywhere else it’s not…it’s playing for your club.”
(Via @James_Escarcega 🎥)
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) October 23, 2023
#3 Kobe Bryant’s Critique of AAU Basketball: A Call for Fundamental Skill Development
Kobe Bryant, an icon in the basketball world, expressed concern about the American AAU basketball system, emphasizing its failure to instill fundamental skills in players.
According to Bryant, European players are more skillful because they are taught the game correctly from an early age.
Pro Skills Basketball aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive player development program that focuses on fundamentals and skill mastery through practices, workouts, clinics, camps, organized scrimmages and games (like 3v3), and more!
#4 Geno Auriemma on the Problem of Too Many Games
Geno Auriemma, the legendary UCONN women’s coach, points out a common issue in U.S. youth basketball – an excessive focus on games rather than practice.
Auriemma expresses difficulty watching young, talented players who, despite their athletic prowess, lack the fundamental skills due to a game-centric approach.
Pro Skills Basketball recognizes the importance of a balanced approach, prioritizing practice and player development over the sheer quantity of games played. PSB even takes it a step further and often replaces 5v5 games with 3v3 where players can reap more benefits than the typical 5v5 games. Read more about the benefits of 3v3 here.
HOW does this apply to PSB?
It’s not that PSB has some grand vision to turn kids into pro players. While it is true that many PSB players have gone on to play in college (270+ players) and some have then made it to the professional level (including Hunter Tyson on the Denver Nuggets), we believe the European model is simply a better one for the development of young players in the US.
Specifically, PSB has borrowed 3 characteristics of a typical international or European basketball academy and applied them to our club team model, which sort of flips the typical US “AAU team” model on its head.
#1 Offering a longer-term “one-club” program to maximize development: We call our teams CLUB Teams for a reason: we aren’t the typical AAU team model. Our PSB Club Team membership runs for 8-11 months, depending on the city, and includes a variety of development opportunities during that time frame. Although the PSB membership is a longer commitment than the typical AAU teams, we encourage our players and offer the flexibility to play other sports as well as basketball during the main winter season for their local school or rec program.
#2 A focus on fundamentals, skill development, and practice over simply playing games: PSB teams practice twice per week and are also offered other skill development opportunities from clinics to camps to workouts to open gyms to 3v3 and more.
#3 Hiring trained, certified, and positive coaches: From day one, we have gone against the typical parent-coached AAU team approach. Instead, Pro Skills searches for, vets, and then hires the highest quality experienced and positive coaches available in PSB cities, while also making sure they pass a background check and are CPR and child-safety certified and trained.
Conclusion
We could go on and on with more data and resources, but in conclusion, Pro Skills Basketball’s initiative to build a European-style basketball academy is rooted in a deep understanding of global basketball trends, expert opinions, and the evolving needs of the sport.
By adopting the best practices from successful European basketball systems, including one club year-round that pairs a prioritization of skill development and great coaches, Pro Skills Basketball aims to shape the future of youth basketball in the U.S., producing well-rounded and skillful players.
The commitment to comprehensive player development is at the core of Pro Skills Basketball’s vision, ensuring that young athletes are not only proficient in their game but also equipped for success on a global scale.
And in doing so, Pro Skills Basketball is truly living into its mission: to change the culture of youth basketball in the US!
More About Pro Skills Basketball Club Teams
At Pro Skills Basketball, we’re proud to offer Club/AAU Teams across the nation for serious boys and girls players in grades 2-11.
Our Club Teams offer comprehensive player development, certified and positive coaches, and organized parent communication.
Learn more or tryout to become a PSB Club Team member today!
