Former NBA champion, Kenny Smith joins the National Basketball League in Australia. First, the accomplice of Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal on TNT will head the “Next Stars” detection program in North America. Additionally, he will be among the investors to lead a team in the next expansion of the NBL.
“Given my passion for the development of basketball on a global scale, I am incredibly excited to be an ambassador of the NBL “Next Stars” program and to fully invest in the growth of the NBL as a future owner of a new team » likes the former Rockets point guard.
In the past, Kenny Smith had expressed his desire to be a manager, and in 2020, he explained that it was “inevitable” that he would one day join the offices of a franchise. While waiting for the NBA, Kenny Smith will be able to get his hands on a team in Australia, while playing recruiter for this “Next Stars” program.
“Legitimate pathways to the NBA are evolving and the NBL has a proven track record in recruiting players. The NBL identified me for a key role, to mentor and support young talents and provide them with the necessary tools to become professional with, in view, the objective of making the big leap to the NBA. »
A path to the NBA
Since its creation in 2018, the “Next Stars” program has attracted some future NBA players. Thus, LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, RJ Hampton and Ousmane Dieng were drafted after joining this program. This season, Alexandre Sarr is also following this program, and he is announced in the Top 3 of the next Draft.
Via this program, French people can follow various training courses, whether on the financial level, communication, or even for the development of their own brand.
At a time when Team Ignite is doomed to disappear, the NBL training program could prove to be the best alternative for players who wish to confront the professional world. Especially since the NBL attracts more and more NBA players from yesterday and today. This season, the Australian league is counting on Scottie Pippen as an ambassador. Furthermore, several players have invested in teams like Thaddeus Young and Khris Middleton with the Brisbane Bullets, or even John Wall and Victor Oladipo.
