Drug abuse and addiction in the NBA some times goes without notice. Many teams in fact may not mention anything about a player to the public because it would ruin their image. In professional sports and in basketball specifically there is a lot of drug abuse just as in Hollywood. The most recent big tragic death of drug use was Michael Jackson (my favorite Musician) and earlier during the year DJ AM’s and Heath Ledger. Money can buy pretty much anything physical and that could include for basketball players, recreational drugs, enhancement drugs and other prescription drugs. While living in Europe there is always talk about doping in sports. However, there is not much mention of Doping and test in the NBA. The most recent news of an NBA player that was fined due to taking a stimulate drug was Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic.

Also, most recent player, Michael Beasley of the Miami Heat was admitted into a drug rehab program just recently. It is pretty sad but players especially after finishing their professional career, many have depression issues which lead to drug abuse and dependence on prescription drugs for control. Pill Addiction is alive in all sports, not excluding basketball worldwide. The sad fact and numbers are true on all levels.

Before I headed to play basketball overseas in 1999, I had some college teammates and friends from outside the US playing at the same school. They were always faced with the same issue as most foreigners that come to live, work or study in the states for a temporary amount of time: Green Card & Visas. Well, it is an issue that each individual depending on their country’s relation to the USA;  if they were entitled or rewarded enough time to complete their time in the university.

Even after of some talk with players who actually expressed their excitement to possibly live permanently in the states, they also found it very difficult. This was in college, so you can imagine in the professional atmosphere such as the NBA or WNBA for that matter. There are so many foreign players in the NBA and WNBA that it cannot be unnoticed.  An American Visa is not easy to  obtain and those who do have one, either:  have good country ties with the USA; very good luck in the lottery; or use a very good immigration service system..

Foreigners basketball players from all over the world such as Australia, Europe, Asia, South America all have the same problems. Professional basketball players may at times have it easy if they are well paid, known and have a company to represent their circumstances to the USA government in hope of approval. If that does not work, most people do marry to bypass the waits of proper long process.

When it comes to pursuing a remarkable coaching career there are many things that can be helpful in a coaching career.  Many coaches have participated in many activities in communities around the country and have gained exposure for the community service they provided.  Not only can potential professional basketball coaches participate in community service activities such as blood drives but many offer one day coaching clinics for underprivileged youth that are interested in sports and sponsoring camps across the country.

By participating in these activities and volunteering in communities it gains exposure for those interested in pursuing a coaching career.  By gaining exposure a coach can land his dream job that he/she enjoys.  There have been many success stories in the past on coaches that were active in communities across the nation and are among the top basketball coaches in sports history.  When a coach has his/her community involved they are not only helping the community but, also their career.  Also when participating in community activities coaches have the opportunity to network with other coaches that may be involved with a similar community service activity.  By building a network with other coaches or individuals that are in the sports field, this gives a coach the chance to exchange contact information and can be the beginning of a healthy relationship.  Many coaches have landed key jobs by building a network with individuals involved in the sports world.  The same thing applies to coaches participating at local camps.  At camps there are many coaches that are also participating and athletes from around the world that may be a recruit for you in the future.  Although majority of the coaches that volunteer for these camps and community service activities aren’t getting paid they get privilege of helping a community and building a network that can help in the future.

In the game of basketball at any level that the sport is being played the necessary equipment is needed for organized play.  The game of basketball requires all the necessary equipment, such as complete basketball goal systems, score tables, basketball, whistles and all accessories.  There is one company that specializes in the complete source of basketball products through its extensive catalog that is available online.  Basketball Products International (BPI) is the company that offers basketball products that are recommended and are the also approved by different levels of basketball play, such as the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools), NCAA, NBA, FIBA and the recreational level of basketball around the world.  Interested individuals can download BPI’s extensive catalog from their website and also request the catalog by mail.

BPI has a huge customer ratio not only because of their supply of basketball products, but BPI’s complete inventory is priced at least 10% of the MSRP that’s unbeatable.  Many of the basketball equipment outlets and sporting good stores cannot compare to BPI’s inventory or prices.  Organizations such officials of different levels of organized basketball can get low pricing on whistles.  BPI offers the top brands of basketball equipment that’s approved by different levels of basketball play.  So for the necessary equipment for the game of basketball at prices that are unbeatable anywhere and guaranteed customer satisfaction BPI is the place to go.

I get this question all of the time and honestly its a difficult question. Personally I think and know that anything is possible these days depending on talent and who you know. In the case of Brandon Jennings a player that I recently discovered is doing what many high school seniors would love to do after graduating from high school and that is straight pro. The NBA in recent years has made it difficult for high school players to come out directly to the NBA, however there is no restriction for the overseas market.

Brandon Jennings may be only 19 years old, but he has the mindset and playing skills of a potential Hall of Famer. Jennings a 6-2, 165 pound All American point guard that played his junior and senior years at Oak Hill Academy, located in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Oak Hill Academy has produced many of the NBA’s greatest players such as Carmelo Anthony, Rod Strickland, Jerry Stackhouse and many more players that made a name for themselves on the pro level. Jennings a native of Los Angeles, California is one of the greatest point guards in the game since Allen Iverson made his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jennings is known for his flashy style of play that includes excellent passing skills and the ability to score on many defenses. In high school Jennings averaged 38.7 points, 11.5 assists, 8.1 rebounds and 13.0 steals per game in his senior year at Oak Hill Academy. Jennings has many awards under his belt such as the Naismith National High School Player of the Year, EA Sports Player of the Year and the Gatorade Player of the Year. Jennings had narrowed his college choices down to two schools, The University of Southern California and Arizona. However Jennings opted out of going to college he decided to become the first player out of high school to jump to play professional basketball overseas.

The 2008 #1 high school player in the United States transition from high school to professional international play

He is currently playing in Italy for Lottomatica Roma in the Italian Basketball League. Jennings decided that he will play international basketball for a year and then enter the NBA Draft the follwing year. Jennings has received endorsement deals from major companies such as Under Armour Jenning is noted to be in the top 10 players to be selected at the 2009 NBA Draft being held June 25, 2009 at New York’s world reknown area, Madison Square Garden.  So for videos and more on Brandon Jennings look below

Recently I wrote an article about how the recession and it is effecting the most prestigious universities and colleges. However, I accidentally deleted it so hopefully this will turn out OK. So last week there was an article in the USA Today how the recession and the economy is causing universities to cut budgets. Many universities are looking at athletic departments to start cutting big budgets. During the last 6 months many programs have been feeling the pressure. Facing questions like, will scholarships get cut, travel get cut and other salaries.  Many universities during the past have had the luxury of flying out across the country for a non conference game, luxury tournaments in such places as Hawaii and recruiting outside of the USA. All of this is included in the budget and each penny counts however now athletic departments will have to cut some place. Many don’t want to cut scholarships which is a big percentage of the budget. Possibly jobs will be cut and salaries lowered a bit to allow more athletes to join programs with scholar ships.

I honestly believe that travel will limited and possibly reverting back to busing to many places. Many teams will rethink which tournaments to take part in and which to host. During the next recruiting season I’m sure many universities will stress and look for more athletes who may qualify for a partial scholarship and academic aid. What does this mean for you? Well I think the recruiting will remain the same however the rewards may not be as lavishing as before. 2009-2010 you will see a change in recruiters and possible offers. I wonder if this will affect players from abroad and overseas?

Well we shall see. What do you think?

You know something interesting? I have been flying since 1993 when I took my first flight to New Mexico. It was great but of course very nervous. Everything about flying was different including the chance to earn a free flight by being a frequent flier. When I went to college I really became a frequent flier with my college basketball team and I used my US Air mileage account which was fairly new. There were no rules at the time that governed the NCAA and earning free miles for flights. Now there is a penalty if collegiate players do use miles for personal flights. Earning mileage points and frequent flyer bonuses is easy only if you remember. Not only can you earn miles on flights that you’ve taken but as of today 2008, if you have a bank account or visa credit card that allows flyer bonuses on every dollar spent it could had up to great free flights worldwide. Not only that, car rental, hotel night stays, purchases at particular online shops.

Also, if you have a business or company it is best to get a credit card like American Express or Visa to accumulate miles on your large purchases. I have some friends that sell on Ebay.com and purchase equipment up to $15,000 and over. You can imagine the amount of points that they gain using this method. There is nothing illegal about it, just smart ways to earn free flights or award gifts. The best thing about earning gifts is that you can donate the miles if you feel fit or transfer miles to family and friends. However, the worst thing that you could do is go without using the miles and any miles unused, normally cannot be carried over. Some frequent flyer programs only allow miles for a year and some many more years.

Here are my top 5 frequent flier programs

1. Delta Airlines (SkyMiles)
2. Miles and More – Star Alliance Partners
3. Flying Blue
4. Discover Miles
5. One World (British Airways and partners)

To conclude, keep track of your airline miles and if you have some expiring without usage don’t think about only flights there are other awards like rental car (to escape the weekend) , gifts and donating to charities and of course family or friends.