News 14 – 24 Hour Local News – TOP STORIES – Players vie for European glory during Triad showcase
Click here to see the original story and video by News 14 Carolina’s Caroline Blair
GREENSBORO – They made a name for themselves on the hardwood in high school and college, but now a group of dedicated ball players are trying to break into the highly competitive world of professional basketball.
The actual chance of getting to play after college is very slim. But now, thanks to Charlotte native Sean Kilmartin and his program USA Select Basketball, players from across the country are getting that chance.
Over the weekend, athletes traveled to the Gate City to showcase their basketball skills. By the end of the review, the players that stand out could walk away with a European contract.
“The goal of all these players growing up is, of course, to play in the NBA. But the reality is there’s probably more plumbers in Greensboro, N.C., than American players playing in the NBA,” said USA Select Basketball General Manager, Sean Kilmartin.
Kilmartin said he’s had people playing everywhere from New Zealand to Scotland.
That opportunity is what attracted Copin State graduate Brian Chesnut.
“It’s an opportunity to do something that I love, I have passion for and to be able to see the world at the same time. It’s just a great opportunity. Why not?” said Chesnut.
Athlete Terell Smith, who played for England last year, said the experience can be life-changing.
“Playing overseas, it’s like a vacation, and I play basketball and I get paid. I can’t think of nothing better,” Smith said. “I get to see the world. What’s better than seeing the world?”
And Kilmartin said the benefits go beyond the basketball court.
“The opportunity for these young men to see all of these different places and languages and cultures and learn from that, that’s an education that’s going to make them more marketable when they finish their basketball career and are interviewing for another job,” said Kilmartin.
Around 15 players will be chosen from this weekend’s showcase to play in a month-long European tour this September. Organizers say those players are often picked up by those European teams to join their league for the season.
