My friend Sean McCaw, a former professional basketball player and coach in Germany and now a professional basketball Scout for the Science City Jena Basketball Club in Germany wants to give away a BRAND NEW shiny pair of Hops sneakers. You’ve probably never heard of this brand yet, so here is a little background info.

Hops Sportswear Ltd is a family owned Business based in Melbourne Australia. 2 years in the making this original brand was dreamt up in New Zealand, developed in Australia, designed in Italy and built in China. Hops was launched in November 2007. They have their own patented ‘Medial Wing’ technology that provides optimum stability throughout the light weight HOPS product, without taking away from the strength and durability of Hops footwear. Hops is now available in all of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada in the USA.

“We are passionate about providing great product at the right price point. Whilst continuing to develop bigger and better lines of footwear tailored to the basketball marketplace. With ongoing original designs and functionality to our product we look forward with much anticipation the challenge ahead of  becoming an established maker of basketball specific footwear.”

View the Hops Collection below

I have not tried them yet, but they look so comfortable. I wish I could enter the contest! So do you want in?

March Madness Hops Sneaker Contest Rules

Contest Start: March 26th, 2009

Contest End: April 8th, 2009

The winner will be drawn on April 8th, 2009.

How to Enter:

1. You earn one entry by simply making a comment to this post/contest. (write a comment of which HOP shoe you like the most)

The winner will be selected on April 8th 2009. The winner will be announced on Basketball Overseas and in the newsletter. So please subscribe to our newsletter to enter the contest and find out if you’ve won!

The winner has 3 days to confirm by contacting me. Please have ready your address and shoe size.  If the first winner does not confirm or contact me, another contestant will be chosen.

This is a worldwide contest and the shoes can be sent to anywhere in the world!

Good luck!!

“Hey sneaker heads. Just want to tell you a little bit about Hops. I love my Hops and I had a few pairs before I started working with the company. They are VERY stable and I especially like how they look. I am not the tech wiz, as a player, its just important for me that they fit well and they look good haha. Hops fills all those criteria for me. If you have any questions please feel free to visit our homepage on www.hopsportswear.de or find us on Facebook and Myspace and write me. Thanks for taking interest in Hops and I know the lucky winner will be satisfied! - Sean“

With many school rivalries going on and the nations top players being awarded prestigious awards makes March Madness more interesting. NCAA D-I rival teams may range from UNC vs. Duke to Georgetown vs. UConn which has been some of the most exciting games in history. The NCAA Basketball Tournament is the most watched college event other than the BCS Championships. With teams throughout the NCAA D-I playing their best for a chance to earn a spot in the 64 team tournament bracket makes the conference tournaments very interesting. In past NCAA tournaments there have been many underdogs that have made it far in tournament play if not winning the NCAA Tournament.

March Madness has been one of the most anticipated sporting events other than the NBA Playoffs, Superbowl and FIFA Championship. Mens Final Four will be held in Detroit this year while the Womens Final Four 2009 will be held in St. Louis where the most competitive games will be played. Many #1 teams in the past have been upset in the early rounds of the NCAA tournament mens and womens. When teams win their conference’s championship they automatically earn a spot in the NCAA tournament. While many teams earn a spot in the tournament by their team’s ranking in the Associated Press (AP) Rankings. So stay tuned for more information on the NCAA tournament for both mens and womens games and tournament births.

My picks:

NCAA MEN: PITT

NCAA WOMEN:  UCONN

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?

Every year I make a special post for those who wish to play professional basketball overseas. This year I’m gonna do more predictions of what to expect and what to stay away from during your quest to play basketball abroad.

2009 Basketball Overseas Predictions

1. More teams folding in Europe due to the economy
2. Rise of basketball agent scams via internet and email
3. More players lowering salaries abroad
4. More teams and clubs scouting for out of college players for cheaper prices
5. More teams looking for European Players

Things to remember!!

• If you’re a senior focus on your teams results so that you’ll be noticed as a team player
• Never send money to an agent. At that point, it is a scam
• Never give out your passport information unless you’re in a contract with a legit agent
• Be cautious of offers that are super great (especially if you’re right out of college).
• Always go with your gut feeling, because it never fails to tell you whats right or wrong!

Good luck!

Another edition of Q & A!

I really want to play overseas, but I don’t know where to start? Is it a good idea to contact people on the internet?

You can start by contacting players who have played overseas and use their contacts to find agents and teams. Close recommendations are always 99% safer than with people from the internet. I’ve seen many basketball scams to rise the past couple of years. Some players have lost money by sending to scam artist who promise a basketball dream. Remember never pay for an agent. With most contracts the team pays the agent if they are legit.

well if i had an agent i would like to know if he or she can get me a scholarship and well i want a agent that can help me really

A agent can help you get overseas. I’m not sure of the NCAA rules if agents can help you get a scholarship. I recommend you reading or getting free reports of the Recruit Me website

What is the best way for me to get into playing overseas if I didn’t play basketball in high school or college, but have the skill and knowledge for the game?

The best way is to participate if you could in combines because with demonstration of your game you’re nobody. You have to travel and play in leagues so teams and agents can see you.

Does China allow americans to play for their team? if so, how do i make contact? i am moving to china from the united states, and i just graduated from fresno state, where i played division one basketball. Thanks!

Yes, China does allow American players. There are specific agents who work with top basketball players who want to play in China. Most teams in China are looking for names and big players so its not an easy task!

Hi,   I want to know about local tryouts in Texas  for either professional teams or semi-professional teams.  I have college experience, but due to injuries never completed my basketball career. I am healthy and working out to get back in shape.  Please let me know.  Thanks, Art

Yes, this is a team the Dallas Diesel which has helped many players get overseas with their contacts and leagues. They are serious in helping players and get your name out there. I can’t say enough more good things about them!

English, Scotish, Irish basketball league and Slovenian one. Can u compare them??

The English, Scotish and Irish basketball leagues are considerably the same and because the countries are mainly focused on European Football (Soccer) you can see it in the quality of basketball leagues. They aren’t the best leagues in Europe. In Slovenia, the league is well known in Europe and have 4 different divisions, which says a lot about the quality.

i’m still playing college basketball and i wanted to knew if it’s aginst ncaa rules to go to a an overseas basketball clinic

I don’t have a 100% answer but if you are working out its like any camp/clinic to improve your skills, I guess its ok. However, if teams and agents approach you to play in the league that would go against NCAA rules.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!! If you’re away from home, try to celebrate as much as you can with close friends! Enjoy!!