ABOUT NBA GLOBAL SCOUT
What is NBA Global Scout?
In partnership with the NBA, HomeCourt, the mobile AI-powered basketball app, are delivering a mobile experience that allows basketball players of all ages to measure their athletic potential as well as their skill development over time. Players can take part in anthropometric and athletic activities as well as different positional skill development exercises inspired by the NBA Draft Combine that helps players showcase their potential just by using their HomeCourt app on an iPhone or iPad.
Why is the NBA and HomeCourt partnering on this?
Both the NBA and HomeCourt believe that while talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not. By enabling any basketball player, anywhere, to use their mobile device to capture their skills and abilities in a digital format and share that with the NBA—NBA Global Scout has the potential to discover new talent and bring new opportunities to them through NBA programs. The next generation of players could be discovered through this initiative in a way that is far more representative of the basketball talent that is distributed around the world
What are the opportunities for players?
Participants who opt-in will be eligible to receive invites to select Jr. NBA, NBA Academy, Basketball Without Borders, Basketball Africa League, G League, WNBA and NBA tryouts, camps, tournaments, and showcases.
What role does the HomeCourt app play?
New technology developed by HomeCourt allows anyone with the app to capture their relevant measurements such as their hand span, wing span, vertical leap and core skills such as agility, dribbling and shooting—all enabled by advanced mobile artificial intelligence technology.
HomeCourt also provides comprehensive training and player development tools that are accessible to anyone using just their iPhone or iPad. This enables players to constantly improve their skills over time and build an intelligent profile of their abilities. Any player can showcase their skills and growth through NBA Global Scout on HomeCourt.
What activities are included in the talent evaluation?
The NBA Global Scout experience on HomeCourt will include a guided digital workout that is inspired by many of the same drills showcased at the NBA Draft Combine. This includes core measurements such as height, hand span, wingspan, and standing reach—which are captured using the camera and analyzed using advanced computer vision developed by HomeCourt. In addition to body measurements, the guided workout with then capture the players agility, dribbling, and shooting proficiency.
Agility analysis includes an all-new vertical jump evaluation, a new shuttle run drill to measure lateral movement and a new lane agility drill to measure quickness of players in a diverse movement routine.
Dribbling is captured in a short drill that has the player perform a range of dribbling techniques, with both hands (150 dribbles each).
3 point shooting is analyzed by an “around the arc” shooting analysis that has the player attempt 5 shots from 5 spots on the floor. Guided audio feedback is used throughout the experience to provide a highly interactive experience for the player—much like having a virtual coach or trainer guide the user.
There are also four additional new shooting drills included in the program: Mid-Side-Mid, Star Drill, Corner-Lift-Center-Flare and 5 Minutes Endurance Shooting.
At the end of the guided workout, the player will receive a score for each of the activities that is generated by calculating speed, accuracy, and other key metrics and shared with the NBA.
How was this rating/score established?
NBA Global Scout takes into account all existing HomeCourt drills and workouts, plus 8 new NBA Combine Drills developed in collaboration with the NBA. HomeCourt provides a well rounded assessment of core basketball skills including agility, ball handling, finishing, mid-range, free throw and 3 point shooting.
A skill rating system is set up for each drill to assign a score according to a player’s speed, accuracy and consistency (when such criteria is applicable) in practicing the skill.
What are the benchmarks used for this rating?
We establish benchmark performance with that of pro players’ (from NBA Draft Combine, etc.) and tune each score formula such that pro players performance will get a score of 90+. The Skill Rating system in HomeCourt is based on 4 critiera that reflects performing well in an actual game: accuracy, speed, consistency, and difficulty.
Put simply, the more accurate you are at executing challenging exercises at game speed over time, the higher your score will be.
Skill rating scores are benchmarked by answering a simple question: how would a skilled player at this position perform on this exercise across those 4 criteria?
For example, we believe JJ Reddick or Joe Harris, two of the best 3 point shooters in the NBA, would be able to score a 90+ in the 3 point shooting category. Meaning they would be able to complete difficult 3 point shooting drills with high accuracy, at a game speed, on a consistent basis.
A similar logic applies across other core skills on HomeCourt where we can give you a Skill Rating.
How was the NBA involved in the development of the system?
The NBA worked closely with HomeCourt to design the NBA Global Scout program and HomeCourt ratings system. NBA provided the drill details of 3 new agility drills and 5 new shooting drills from NBA Academy and NBA Draft Combine; provided feedback on the interface and scoring formula. The benchmark performances reference results of the NBA Draft Combine. The NBA also conducted tests at its NBA Academies to validate the approach and accuracy.
Were team scouts involved in the development of the system?
The NBA League Office’s Basketball Operations Department, which is responsible for scouting players for opportunities in all levels of the youth basketball development period, works closely with HomeCourt on this program. Additionally, former and current NBA Basketball Operations Executives are involved in building out the NBA Global Scout strategy and will continue to advise the initiative going forward.
How accurate are the measurements? Particularly the body measurements like hand size, wingspan, vertical jump.
When used properly and under good lighting conditions, the error rate is under 5%. The experience was designed not to be a one-time measurement or assessment. We encourage players to participate in these measurements periodically so they can see if they are growing and making progress as they work on their core skills. The more you use it, the more data points, the more accurate range you will get.
Is this a pilot program? Is this available today?
A new version of HomeCourt that includes the NBA Global Scout guided workout is available in the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad starting today. Additionally, the NBA and HomeCourt are working together to launch this experience at permanent and pop-up locations around the world at events and programs across the Jr. NBA, NBA Basketball Schools, NBA Academies, Basketball Without Borders, Basketball Africa League, G League, WNBA, and the NBA.
How can local basketball teams, clubs, camps, and clinics get involved?
HomeCourt and the NBA have a microsite available at homecourt.ai/nbaglobalscout that basketball organizations can go to learn more. There is a sign up form available there that will notify organizations of forthcoming opportunities to participate in NBA Global Scout. The NBA and HomeCourt are in the early stages of planning an ambassador program that would enable trainers, camps and clinics to affiliate with this program and onboard players into the NBA Global Scout program.
How do I participate in the program if I do not have access to an Apple device?
At launch, you can only create a profile on a friend/coach's iOS device. However, we are actively considering extending the capability to create basic profiles and upload game videos to the web.
Can I add my game videos or highlights to my profile in the “NBA Global Scout” program?
We are hoping to add this functionality in the near future.
Are the opportunities that players might be invited to (or eligible for) available worldwide? Only certain regions?
The NBA will be actively searching the NBA Global Scout database to evaluate prospects for both regional and global opportunities. Additionally, there are opportunities for elite players >18 within the G League and Basketball Africa League. A list of potential events can be found here.
How is it determined who will be eligible for these opportunities?
NBA’s global talent discovery tryouts and selection camps all have their own gender, region and age requirements. HomeCourt users who meet those eligibility criteria may be selected to join the camps to showcase their skills in person.
Who will be reviewing the data/entries for this program?
In addition to HomeCourt’s AI technology analyzing every entry into the “NBA Global Scout'' program, the NBA also has a dedicated scouting department that will review the HomeCourt database to find prospects for regional and global opportunities.
How will players be notified if they are selected to participate in further scouting opportunities?
Players will be notified through the contact information they provide in the consent form as they go through the process on HomeCourt.
Will NBA teams or other organizations be accessing this data for their own recruiting and scouting efforts?
Performance data is owned by the player and it’s up to the player to control who has access to that data. Players who wanted to be discovered will be recommended to share their data broadly for interested scouts and teams. We at HomeCourt will do our best to create a profile that fully represents the players’ effort and skills.