USA Select Basketball was formed to assist American basketball players find professional opportunities internationally. The origins of USA Select Basketball trace back to the 1980′s where Appalachian State University teammates; Sean Kilmartin and David Lawrence played professionally in Europe. Acknowledging then, the fantastic opportunity afforded them, they decided to create this type of opportunity for other athletes.

Sean Kilmartin (General Manager and Head Coach) has personally scheduled each and every camp, he directly scheduled every one of our in excess of 500+ games with professional teams all over Europe. He has scheduled every hotel, flight, train,bus ride for hundreds of players on tour. He has personally spoken to each and every one of our players and help negotiate each and every single contract for every player signed professionally. WE HAVE NEVER CHARGED OR ACCEPTED ANY AGENCY FEE, EVER! We are a hands on organization.

USA Select Basketball is composed of athletes that have completed their college / NCAA eligibility and are looking for professional contracts internationally. Through a series of “tryout” camps, we carefully evaluate players from all backgrounds. We take them on tour to play some of the top teams in Europe in a series of exhibition games in hopes to create contract opportunities. In the past, these tours have proven to be highly successful and have allowed may players to get their first professional basketball contracts!

Over the years, we have enjoyed the input from many experienced former professional players, Ricky Pitts, Delaney Rudd, Blue Edwards, Noah Brown, Norwood Fennell, Nicholas Melissaris and Mike Palladino, retired international basketball players, the team creates unique opportunities for elite basketball players.

These players have come from varied programs such as perennial power Duke University, U Conn and Wake Forest, top programs like Georgia, NC State, Xavier, Clemson, University of Tennessee and Temple University to Mid majors like Appalachian State University, Davidson College, James Madison University, Winston-Salem State University and NC Central University. Smaller programs such as Belmont Abbey College, Virginia Union, NC Wesleyan to Junior Colleges and basketball players that have not had the opportunity to play college at the level. To see all that we have done see our All Time Roster.

Players are evaluated solely on our ability to market them and help them secure professional contracts. Players attend one of our mini camps in various locations around the country. The players that are selected from our camps are immediately invited to our final selection camp, usually held in June of each year. The evaluation camp is a 2 day event, although frequented by scouts,GM’s and coaches from International Teams/Leagues, the camp is primarily for our evaluation. Players may have the opportunity to be selected and offered contracts during the camp, however, that is not the primary focus and we do not emphasize that. The remaining players that were not selected for contracts are eligible for the most unique aspect of what we do…

The Tour – Taking You To The Action: USA Select Basketball then creates our International travel team from the remaining players. We take the players to Europe and play a series of preseason games, scrimmages, tournaments and auditions. In the past, we have played top European Teams from France, Finland,Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium , Scotland and England. We have played in the prestigious ” Tournoi International Moise Millois” in Gravelines, France; the”International Basketball Challenge” in London, England; and the “ReMax International Classic” in Cardiff, Wales. Our average International Exposure annual tour usually comprises around 20+ games /scrimmages in Europe. The 2008 European Tour took place in September! A large part of our tour is sponsored. Players will be responsible for their own flights and rail passes (purchased at very large discounts). If offered a contact, it usually includes a reimbursement of their travel expenses by the club they sign with. Along the our, we regularly arrange tryouts with teams in Europe for the players on tour, often a team will sign a player after an exhibition game on the spot!

Representation – Our Promise To You: All athletes will have professional representation to negotiate their contract. Delaney Rudd, a retired NBA player and French basketball star will assist for our athletes. If you already have representation, Mr. Rudd will work with your agent. Mr. Rudd has extensive contacts and tremendous success in placing athletes on European teams. There are no up front fees. USA Select Basketball never accepts any fees for placing players!

Players from Team USA Select offered Opportunities: USA Select Basketball has had the fortunate opportunity to see its players get great looks by European Basketball teams. Here are some of the players and their schools, that were selected for tryouts and positions over the years: Visit our signings page . A more detailed list of players and their opportunities can be found on the players drop down tab.

USA Select Basketball players have come from a large variety of schools ( full list on our roster page ) schools such as, perennial powers Duke University, University of Michigan, Wake Forest University,.Top mid majors like Appalachian State University, James Madison University, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Youngstown University, Temple University, Austin Peay University, North Carolina Central University, Loyola of Chicago, as well as a variety of other schools such as: Virginia Union, North Carolina Wesleyan, Belmont Abbey College and Rhode Island University.

The players from the inaugural tour were by name are, Steve LePore, Tony Moore, Alex Wesby, Tarvis Williams, Cedrick Holmes, Ron Grady, Greg Copeny, Ryan Blankson, Nate Carson, Al Perkins, Ian Caskill, Ryan Patton, Larry Graves, Michael Hadley, Josh Lewis and Keith Suddler.

We look forward to helping more players reach for their goals, and helping obtain them.

Bios:

Sean Kilmartin: Appalachian State University, NCAA Div.1 Men’s Basketball Team – Played for top coach Coach Bobby Cremmins, Team Captain / Business Degree in Finance / Played in the British Basketball League ” BBL/EBL ” Career average 28 points and 16 rebounds. Owner of Financial planning and investment business in Charlotte NC.

David Lawrence: Appalachian State University, NCAA Div.1 Men’s Basketball Team – Coach Bobby Cremmins / Played in the British Basketball League ” BBL ” 6 years / Holds most points in a single game in BBL ” 70″ / Federal Express Corp.

Mike Palladino: Fredonia State University, NCAA Div. 3 Men’s Basketball Team / Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing / Pro-Am Basketball Buffalo, NY and Charlotte, NC / Owner of Pride Painting Company – Charlotte, NC

Nicholas Melissaris: Catawba College, NAIA Div. 1 Men’s Basketball Team – Coach Sam Moir / Accounting Major / Played For AHEPA Basketball Travel Squad – 2 years Greek League / Vice President – Owner Melissaris Family Partnership.

This group formed the Team Select concept to help players get a fair opportunity to be seen, and let players have the same chance that they were afforded of playing basketball, their love, over seas. With the help of the Board of Advisors, Team Select has opened the gateway for future players from the United States, and other areas of the world to get their chance and prove that they have the ” Stuff to Make It “…

USA Select Board Of Advisors