The grassroots landscape has become increasingly bloodthirsty and competitive over the last few years. Between the formation of new teams, 'circuits,' and event operators, there's more action than ever before. However, this competitive nature can be misleading and misunderstood by the general masses. While this may seem like a ploy to promote Phenom Hoops' events, it's really more of an overview to see what product you'll be receiving elsewhere. There are a ton of different factors and variables worth examining when deciding how to approach the upcoming travel-ball season. Let's look…
New 'Circuits'
Folks, surely we are not so blissfully ignorant as a society that we allow these shoe companies to push secondary events and disguise them as valuable or important. It's clear what they are doing, but it's more surprising at how quickly individuals are willing to risk their basketball future over a few pairs of shoes. Let's be blunt, those circuits have been formed to serve as the backup teams for those on the actual circuit. Don't fall victim to a transparent money-maker. It's commonly joked about, but playing on court 47 is a real thing that regularly happens. If the team is a proper fit and the events align with what you value, then go for it. Just don't be disappointed if expectations aren't met. Remember: perception is not reality, reality is reality.
Regional Identifiability
What is regional identifiability and how does it relate specifically to grassroots basketball' Obviously, this is not applicable to all prospects, as plenty of players have committed to schools outside of the Southeast. That being said, the vast majority of Division II and Division III prospects (in addition to numerous Division I guys) end up within the region. This is where the confusion sets in from outsiders, as most kids or parents are solely focused on hunting Division I offers while not realizing how talented or challenging every level of college basketball has become. Free college is what should still be the priority. Simply based on evidence and sample size, it serves no benefit for most players to play for a team outside of their state or region. Folks should remember this when their team is planning to take a trip across the country, questioning if this really helps them in any real way.
Coverage
As the idea of coverage has gradually dwindled throughout the industry over recent years, it remains one of the things that Phenom Hoops consistently prioritizes. Whether through video or written content, arguably no entity in the landscape provides as much all-encompassing coverage. Being seen by college coaches is extremely important but programs are not able to freely recruit outside of their designated periods, which is where additional viewings and writings can benefit both parties. At a certain point, there's been a level of trust built between Phenom Hoops and the college coaches who attend our events and subscribe to our service'and that's evidenced in what they read (and sometimes whom they offer). This is especially clear come high school season, when those who hosted your summer events legitimately couldn't care less about you, your recruitment, or your team. This is not said out of malice, just raw honesty. Content is still highly significant to spreading knowledge or meaningful information about these prospects, and no one does it better than us.
Knowing Your Worth
Some event operators can offer additional monetary advantages to teams, but what purpose does it serve' Does it provide anything extra' Who does it benefit' There's no bitterness, only confusion, as to why a local grassroots team would travel somewhere only to receive no offers or coverage in order to receive no real assistance. It seems impossible for those hosting these events to actually gather information on every college prospect when there's such an overabundance of teams in the same building or event, but to each their own.
At a certain point, these things have to be said. Focus on the factual content rather than the tone and this article will hopefully resonate with the right audience. Again, this is not meant to angle players or programs towards our events'simply asking others to be informed before making decisions about their plan for the summer season.
