Jersey G-Force ready to become a Force in the IBL - Feb 2, 2012 (by Kip Leonetti)
With almost a year of preparation, the Jersey G-Force is readying for its debut as a branding team in the International Basketball League for the 2012 season.
The G-Force, based in Jersey City, N.J., is being launched by sports agent Timmy Butts.
Butts, a graduate of William Penn University and a reinsurance industry executive, has started the G-Force to give budding basketball players a chance to play professionally and find jobs overseas [read more]
With almost a year of preparation, the Jersey G-Force is readying for its debut as a branding team in the International Basketball League for the 2012 season.
The G-Force, based in Jersey City, N.J., is being launched by sports agent Timmy Butts.
Butts, a graduate of William Penn University and a reinsurance industry executive, has started the G-Force to give budding basketball players a chance to play professionally and find jobs overseas. The IBL has placed over 200 players overseas and into the D-League which fits into the agents vision. Six years ago, he entered the world of sports management and now represents a wide range of athletes, from professional snowboarders to former NCAA Division-I football and basketball players.
''There are great basketball players in the New York-New Jersey area who have the ability to play at the next level, if not in the United States, in the emerging markets overseas,'' stated Butts. ''Bringing the IBL to the New Jersey area will have a two-fold benefit as it gives basketball players a chance for exposure and development, while providing high quality family entertainment in our community thats affordable.''
As a branding team, the G-Force will play quarter of the full IBL schedule, approximately five games this season, with at least two home contests held at Bergen Community College in Paramus.
''The IBL is committed to the development of bringing basketball to communities in the east, servicing our teams and fans. We are exhilarated to have Tim on board, much research and dedication has gone into putting together the G-Force, from the athletes to the court they play on. Expect a positive impact in the community, strong competition and for the Jersey-based team to transition to full season status with the support of the league,'' IBL Commissioner Graf stated.
Butts has already assembled a coaching staff whose skill may rival even veteran IBL teams, announcing Wes Matthews as the team's head coach and Andre Ricketts and James Ryan as assistants. Matthews played professionally in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakes under Pat Riley and helped guide his son, Wes Matthews Jr., to his own career as a professional athlete with the Portland Trailblazers.
The G-Force will hold a tryout camp for prospective players on March 25 and 26. This two-day event will be conducted by Barry Mestel, owner of the IBL's Orlando Venom and Winning Ways Pro, a respected basketball training and scouting company. Mestel is an NBA certified scout and will be an invaluable asset for the G-Force as they evaluate players for their inaugural season roster. The tryout is scheduled to take place at the Monroe Sports Center in Monroe, New Jersey. Interested IBL hopefuls can sign up on the G-Forces webpage http://www.ibl.com/jersey_g-force/.
''To see two leaders on the east coast working together already as Tim and Barry are to find the best athletes raises the bar and reflects on the collaborative environment of the IBL,'' the Commissioner shared.
The G-Force will tip off their first IBL game this spring, with a schedule to be released early this month.
Jersey G-Force ready to become a force in the IBL - Feb 2, 2012 (by Eurobasket News )
With almost a year of preparation, the Jersey G-Force is readying for its debut as a branding team in the International Basketball League for the 2012 season.
The G-Force, based in Jersey City, N.J., is being launched by sports agent Timmy Butts.
Butts, a graduate of William Penn University and a reinsurance industry executive, has started the G-Force to give budding basketball players a chance to play professionally and find jobs overseas [read more]
With almost a year of preparation, the Jersey G-Force is readying for its debut as a branding team in the International Basketball League for the 2012 season. The G-Force, based in Jersey City, N.J., is being launched by sports agent Timmy Butts.
Butts, a graduate of William Penn University and a reinsurance industry executive, has started the G-Force to give budding basketball players a chance to play professionally and find jobs overseas. The IBL has placed over 200 players overseas and into the D-League which fits into the agent's vision. Six years ago, he entered the world of sports management and now represents a wide range of athletes, from professional snowboarders to former NCAA Division-I football and basketball players.
'There are great basketball players in the New York-New Jersey area who have the ability to play at the next level, if not in the United States, in the emerging markets overseas,' stated Butts. 'Bringing the IBL to the New Jersey area will have a two-fold benefit as it gives basketball players a chance for exposure and development, while providing high quality family entertainment in our community that's affordable.'
As a branding team, the G-Force will play quarter of the full IBL schedule, approximately five games this season, with at least two home contests held at Bergen Community College in Paramus.
'The IBL is committed to the development of bringing basketball to communities in the east, servicing our teams and fans. We are exhilarated to have Tim on board, much research and dedication has gone into putting together the G-Force, from the athletes to the court they play on. Expect a positive impact in the community, strong competition and for the Jersey-based team to transition to full season status with the support of the league,' IBL Commissioner Graf stated.
Butts has already assembled a coaching staff whose skill may rival even veteran IBL teams, announcing Wes Matthews as the team's head coach and Andre Ricketts and James Ryan as assistants. Matthews played professionally in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakes under Pat Riley and helped guide his son, Wes Matthews Jr., to his own career as a professional athlete with the Portland Trailblazers.
The G-Force will hold a tryout camp for prospective players on March 25 and 26. This two-day event will be conducted by Barry Mestel, owner of the IBL's Orlando Venom and Winning Ways Pro, a respected basketball training and scouting company. Mestel is an NBA certified scout and will be an invaluable asset for the G-Force as they evaluate players for their inaugural season roster. The tryout is scheduled to take place at the Monroe Sports Center in Monroe, New Jersey. Interested IBL hopefuls can sign up on the G-Force's webpage 065ddcf&eae4d131ef4.
'To see two leaders on the east coast working together already as Tim and Barry are to find the best athletes raises the bar and reflects on the collaborative environment of the IBL,' the Commissioner shared.
The G-Force will tip off their first IBL game this spring, with a schedule to be released early this month.
Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com
IBL Tryouts Coming to Orlando February 18-19 - Jan 26, 2012 (by Kip Leonetti)
The International Basketball League will hold player tryouts in the Orlando area for athletes interested in playing for any of the leagues teams during the 2012 season on February 18 and 19 [read more]
The International Basketball League will hold player tryouts in the Orlando area for athletes interested in playing for any of the leagues teams during the 2012 season on February 18 and 19.
The tryouts will be hosted by the Orlando Venom, playing their first full season in the IBL this spring, and coordinated by Barry Mestel, Venom head coach and CEO of Winning Ways Pro, a premier basketball training and scouting company which assists basketball players and coaches in reaching their full potential.
Tryouts will be held at the teams home court, the Winter Park Community Center in Winter Park, Florida.
''Barry Mestel has trained, coached and scouted internationally and is working closely with us and our partners to ensure a first class tryout for all IBL hopefuls,'' IBL Commissioner Graf shared.
''We will have video and statistics from scrimmages and scouting reports for our teams, also benefiting players with a 360 evaluation to improve their game. It is important for the league to host tryouts from coast to coast in conjunction with our teams to find the best athletes, keeping a high level of talent and competition on the floor,'' Graf added.
''I am delighted to host the IBL tryout. The IBL is the premier league as a spring board to assist players in earning a contract to play overseas,'' Mestel boasted.
With the season fast approaching in April, this is the first of more tryouts from individual teams and the league.
Dates and Times: February 18 and 19, 2012; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day Location: Winter Park Community Center, 721 W. New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
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