Basketball Opportunities

Question
Hi Bob,
I came across your site and quickly realised that you would be the right man to answer my question. I am 22yrs of age, I have played basketball since I was 14. I am 6ft7" and I live in Australia. I plan to travel to the US in April 2007 concentrating on areas such as Oregon, California and then up to Chicago and New York.
I plan to stay in the US from May onwards. I wish to play basketball at a competitive level- something that will really challenge me. Its hard to describe to you what standard I'm at because Aus and US probably vary greatly in standard. But basically, I would like you to be able to tell me whom I should contact about getting a position in a team and where are the best places to go to tryout. Im not sure on the set-up of basketball over there other than NBA, College and ABA. Thankyou  

Answer
Hey thanks for your question.

Some first info about ABA.
Look.. In ABA league, the situation is kind of weird. The revived American Basketball Association was formed in late 1999 by Joe Newman and Richard Tinkham. During the league's first two seasons, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, it was known as ABA 2000. The league suspended operations following the second season, but resumed play in 2003-2004 without the 2000 moniker.
The league undertook a new business model upon its return, resulting in an ambitious expansion program beginning with the 2004-2005 season. Virtually anyone willing to pay the league's expansion fee ($10,000 or $20,000 depending on when they applied) was awarded an ABA franchise.
The expansion has had chaotic results since that time, with many teams failing to meet their financial obligations and folding during the course of the season, or folding without having ever played any actual games. Others have been forced to cancel games and curtail their schedules, with the playoff format being revised several times because of qualified teams failing to appear for games.
Despite these problems, a new round of expansion for 2005-2006 occurred. Forty-seven teams were scheduled to begin play for the 2005-2006 season. However, one of these teams never started the season, and seven of the others had either folded or left the league within six weeks. Another six teams were gone by January 2006. Several struggling teams fulfilled their road dates by organizing pickup teams of former players who lived near the host site, while other teams refused to travel at all. Three teams that qualified for the 2005-2006 ABA Playoffs did not participate.
Another wave of expansion has been announced for the 2006-2007 season, including multinational partnerships in Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, D.C.. The introduction of both clubs is based on the success of Beijing Aoshen Olympians' first ABA season in Maywood, California. One notable 2006-2007 expansion franchise is the Vermont Frost Heaves, owned by Sports Illustrated writer Alexander Wolff. Beginning with the upcoming season, the cost for a new expansion franchise was raised to $50,000.

These are the good working teams of 2007-2008 season.
Bellevue Blackhawks
Birmingham Magicians
Boston, Massachusetts
California Eagles
El Paso S'ol
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lincoln Thunder
McAllen, Texas
Minneapolis/St. Paul Slamma Jammas
Mississauga Red Wolves
Nashville, Tennessee
New Orleans Blues
Ohio Aviators
Providence, Rhode Island
Salt Lake Dream
Tacoma Navigators
Tallahassee Tigers
Wilmington, Delaware

As far as the tryouts in general are concerned, you should know there is an announcement about tryouts from these teams. This link announces the tryouts. http://www.abalive.com/news/camps.html
Some advice about your future tryouts.

Don't be nervous. The day before your tryouts drink a lot of water (at least 12 cups-3 lt) and sleep well. Eat a big meal with carbohydrates and protein (like boiled rice with chicken) 4 to 5 hours before your tryout. Remember to drink a lot of water to be hydrated, cause you will not be able to drink during the tryout unless your coach tells so. Do not sit or ask for resting and water. You should be fit enough to enter the tryout. Make sure you show respect to coach and you don't show off with a non-team spirit. If you have a bad moment, do not react badly or get mad with yourself. Look on to the next moment.

When you land in USA the very first thing to do is meet people. Local people knowing more about the minor leagues and with more experience in US basketball in general. NO OPPORTUNITY WASTED. Remember that you will reach your goal step by step. The first step might be a team with goals in a minor league.

You have made a great decision and i hope you will manage to reach your goals with hard practice and "links".
Yours, Bob