Kularoos Plymouth Raiders have announced that there will be a friendly game with Team USA Select at Plymouth Pavilions on Friday 14^th September, 2007.  The game will tip off at 7.30pm.

Team USA Select have been regular visitors to the Pavilions over the past few years, bringing a team of American players looking for professional contracts in Europe. In recent years, players from Team USA Select have been awarded contracts in the BBL (Steve LePore with the old Brighton Bears, Shawan Robinson with Newcastle Eagles last summer), France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and even Australia.

The organisation is run by Sean Kilmartin and David Lawrence, both former professional basketball players here in the UK.  It’s designed to help players  straight out of college in the USA to find professional contracts throughout Europe. 

Initially, players are evaluated and selected at trials throughout America. They then attend the famous “Delaney Rudd International Review" which attracts coaches, scouts and general managers from all over the world. The players who are unsuccessful at the Review, are then invited to join the International Travel Team, who play an average of 17 games in cities throughout Europe, giving the players international exposure and an opportunity to meet coaches who are still putting a team together.

Team USA Select’s visit to Plymouth in the pre season has become an annual fixture. This year, the game will be played on Friday 14^th September, the day before the second leg of the BBL Cup Winners Cup competition in Guildford.

The two Guildford games and the Team USA Select game will provide Raiders with some challenging pre season competition, helping get the team ready for the BBL season proper which starts at home on Friday 21^st September against Cheshire Jets. Coach Gary Stronach is trying to get everyone to Plymouth in mid to late August to ensure they have at least 3 weeks hard practice together.

Link: Fixture List