The last basketball workout post was really popular and many people seemed to have liked it. I know in the past I received emails from basketball players who wanted not only basketball workouts, but weight lifting and strengthening programs for basketball players. Travis Sawyer from StrongBaller has informed me of his free basketball workout.

Download the Free 4 week basketball program

I was able to download it and check out the workouts and they are good. It is a pdf with descriptions of basketball strength exercises with photos and he has Youtube channel with videos of workouts as well..

I recommend anyone interested in strengthening exercises for basketball players to visit the Strong Baller website. Name does offer a more detailed workout when you purchase the full workouts, but it is not required! However, I’m sure you’ll like the paid version as well!

Make comments if you’ve checked out the workouts!

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.

Recently I created a basketball workout and yesterday I received a comment by Dee Sharma which included a workout that I will present below. If you want to contact Dee Sharma please leave a comment or send her an email.

try doing this workout:

Basketball Workout

0:00 – 0:05 stretching, 40 push-ups, lunges full-court back, jog
full-court back with and without ball

0:05 – 0:20 elephant , elephant dribble, behind the back, jump stop
behind the back, spin move, crossover, threw legs, spin move 2 dribbles back
then go, in and out, in and out cross, in and out behind the back, threw legs
cross, double threw legs, and in and out threw legs, do each 2-3 times up and back

0:20 – 0:25 water break

0:25 – 0:35 Steve Nash warm up jumpers, banks, floaters, lay-ups, step
backs, turnarounds, hook shots, and 3ptrs

0:35 – 0:40 slide dribble

0:40 – 0:55 ball slaps, Finger tip touches, Ball wraps, Corkscrew,
wraps around each leg(both ways), figure 8 wraps(both ways), one hand dribbles
around each leg(both hands),figure eight dribbles around both legs(both ways),
Ball drops(one hand front one hand back), Ball drops(both hands front and back)

0:55 – 1:00 water break

1:00 – 1:10 catch and shoot(spin ball out), shot fake one dribble
pull-ups left and right, and shot fake two dribble pull-ups left and right (5 times)

1:10 – 1:15 jump rope 3/30

1:15 – 1:20 dribble right hand crossover half court and left hand back (twice)

The elphant drill or crab walk is when you are going threw your legs but not dribbling going in a straight line up and down the court.

If u have any questions or need another workout contact Dee Sharma at teamplayaz06@yahoo.com

When you cross the ocean and play in different parts of the world you are normally introduced to different cultures, sports and other activities. If you are a person who likes to see new things living and playing basketball overseas is your cup of tea. Playing in Europe has allowed me to see many different sports and how they are played different in each country. Many sport competitions in the world that I didn’t pay attention to when I played college basketball are interesting to me now because I’ve been introduced it them.

For example, the ICC World Twenty20 is an international cricket tournament where 12 top teams in the world compete for the title. In countries like India, England, Australia, New Zealand cricket is huge and it can be compared to the fans and followers of American NFL football. But on a bigger level and internationally seen and known. Even trying to get ICC World Twenty20 Tickets is difficult and should be booked a year or several months in advance.

Speaking about NFL football another international sport which is big across the water is Rugby which is quite similiar to American football but I consider it a lot more brutal. These guys don’t wear much of equipment like American Football. Many have missing teeth..A big rugby competition in Europe called the Six Nations Championship consist of six teams that fight (literally writing) in a five week rugby championship. Again buying RBS Six Nation Tickets is just as hard as getting an NBA Finals Ticket!

One thing that I like playing basketball overseas is seeing new things and taking lots of pictures. Yes the memory is great but traveling and seeing sports that are uncommon from your homeland is interesting and educational. Some of my favorite sports that I’ve seen and purchased Tickets for in Europe are the following:

• Finnish Womens Baseball (Very different than any baseball I’ve seen)
• Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer (Battle of the Surfaces)
• Padal (similar to squash in Spain)
• Rugby
• Ski Jumping
• Formula 1 Car Racing
• European Soccer/Football
• Surfing Tournaments

I suggest that you take the time to see other sports and find something new. As we saw at the Olympics the NBA players support other Summer Olympic Sports with an appreciation of the work of athletes such as Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt take their relative sport. It is not easy being great but everyone has the chance!

After both USA Men and Women Basketball Teams brought back home the GOLD Medal for the United States I’ve been on a bit of a break. But now its time for full swing of the new 2008-2009 basketball season overseas. Signings for most countries are almost complete and the seasons will began September-October. I will be updating the Pro Team Contacts for the 2008-2009 season and should be completed by October.

This summer there weren’t too many exposure camps out there due to the Olympics so hopefully next year I’ll have something more to bring to you in the Spring.

I’m really excited to watch the Olympic basketball games in a few weeks. After watching the US Mens Basketball Team play against Team Canada, I could see that they are strong. However, I’m doubting their inside play against the more bigger international teams like, Argentina, Spain, China and Germany. There is no question the guards are ready and the hot shooters. I recommend everyone tuning in and watching the Olympics basketball on television just to get an idea of the international game and players. The rules are different in a way and a lot of calls like “traveling” violations and carrying the ball. The FIBA rules and officiating take close measures and in the USA we can get away with a quick first step, especially in fast breaks.

On another note, I’ve noticed some former NBA players are now considering more the option to play basketball overseas because of the difference in salaries, especially in regard to the Dollar (USD)  being much weaker than the Euro. In the next couple of months, I’m sure you notice and read about it. I mean low end NBA players, not the stars!

Anyway, I encourage you to watch the Olympics basketball tournament starting August 9th! Here is the Olympic mens basketball schedule and womens olympic basketball schedule.

Next Q & A for basketball players!

I have no college playing experience but am a good player. Are there any avenues i can take to get a tryout. Even at the lowest levels?

Everything is possible, but contacting a good basketball agent would be your best bet to market your skills and getting a video of you playing in some type of good competition and organized ball.

How long does it usually take for a coach or agent to get back with you as a client, or player.

Well normally if a coach or agent is interested they would contact you back pretty fast. In most cases, coaches and teams get requests from many players daily. So, I can imagine they would look up your name online to see if you’ve played in college and find stats to see if you’re worth contacting. It is a business and its easier to market players who have experience and proof of game.

I am a player looking for where to start playing my pro career anywhere arounnd the world and i have a vidoe incase you a interested in it my question is how should i start playing pro basketball below is my video for you.

To answer your question, from your video and information that I see, you’re doing exactly right. You are exposing yourself online with video and stats from your career. Now like most players unless they sign multiple year contracts, is wait for an opportunity to arise and decide upon it.

Were do you find agents best? Do you go online or is there like offices were u can go like travel agents?

If you know of a player who plays overseas and they have an agent, you should ask them. Perhaps their agent can work with you. Mostly, word of mouth and experience from other players is a great way to find a good agent. Also, top websites such as Basketball Connect and Basketball Agencies Directory is a source where you can find agencies as well. Once you find an agency you like, try asking for a players information to find out more about the agency.

How can i start my process into going overseas to play basketball when i come out of high school?

I can say its relatively hard because you only have references of playing against youger and smaller players. Unlike as a professional who have most likely played in college and play up against top players who have the same skills. I recommend finding an agency who has experience with marketing high school players.

Well thats it for the first round of Basketball Overseas Q & A for players. Please post questions or comments for the next round at:

Basketball Overseas Questions