ACG-NBA jump tryouts: How to prepare?

ACG-NBA jump tryouts are the selection mechanism to join NBA Academy India

The 2023 ACG-NBA jump tryouts are still to be announced. But here’s a guide on how best to prepare for the same.

Factor 1: What kind of players is NBA Academy looking for?

There are multiple facets to the tryouts. NBA Academy gives equal opportunity to all prospects.

Firstly, it comes down to NBA Academy India team’s current composition.

Scouts from NBA Academy take into account the type of players already in the Academy. Based on the available spots in the roster, position-based selections are made. But this fact alone should not dissuade you. If your talent is exceptional, you will have a shot.

Factor 2: Centers/tall players have an advantage

It’s an old adage that “height can’t be taught”. In the modern NBA, there are no ‘true centers’ anymore. A prime example is Nikola Jokic - who can dribble, pass, shoot and rebound with ease. So tall players who have the potential to ‘do it all’, always have an advantage. NBA Academy India also recruits along these lines.

If you are a tall player who is versatile, you still have a relatively better chance at being recruited, even if NBA Academy India already has many other tall players in the roster. But just be prepared and open to learn guard/forward skills once you are selected to the Academy!

But again, we reiterate - a shorter player with heart & hustle > a player with just height but no hunger.

Factor 3: Showcase individual skills in ‘game-like’ situations

In recent years, NBA Academy India tryouts have evolved from ‘drill based’ to ‘game-based’. Tryouts now focus on 1v1, 3x3 and 5x5 scrimmages. All NBA Academy India tryouts are overseen by experienced coaches, with a keen eye at spotting talent.

A 1v1 format ensures that there is no ‘hiding’ - you have to be able to handle the ball, score off the dribble, shoot from long range, be adept at creating moves off the ‘triple-threat’ position, while also playing high-intensity one-on-one defence.

The second stage is 3x3 - where your communication skills are watched closely. How good are you at playing in a team? How effective is your helpside defence? How well do you rotate over, set screens, pick and roll, or pick and pop? Team compositions are also changed so that scouts are able to assess how quickly you are able to adapt and gel with new teammates.

The third stage is 5v5 - where your conditioning and attitude gets highlighted. Are you running back on defense or slacking off? How quick is your decision-making? What’s your reaction time and how explosive are you in terms of your ‘fast twitch’ muscle fibers?

Remember: NBA Academy India tryouts are meant to be ‘dynamic’ tryouts that ‘expose’ players in every aspect imaginable.

Factor 4: Younger the better

NBA Academy India is not expecting ‘perfect’ players. Rather they are scouting for players with ‘potential’. When faced with the option of choosing a 16-17 year old with higher skill sets or a 12 year old with ‘potential’, they sometimes opt for the younger player too, since there is more time for such a player to get moulded the right way.

So make sure to attend the tryouts as early as possible, and don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ opportunity.

Factor 5: Luck plays a part

NBA Academy tryouts are not ‘perfect’. Each regional city tryout on average receives around 500 players, all of whom have to be evaluated in a single day. So opportunities to showcase your talent and catch a selector’s eye are limited. So make sure to start strong, and don’t wait for the ‘fourth quarter’ to show up. For all you know, there may not even be a fourth quarter!

Factor 6: Tryouts mandatory for every candidate

Sifaarish is a Hindi word that means ‘influence’ or more colloquially ‘using jack’. Don’t try to manipulate your way into getting selected. Tryouts are mandatory for every candidate. Don’t try to cheat the process.

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Please remember that as of now NBA Academy India is restricted only for boys (under the age of 18) and not girls.

See below to learn more about the NBA Academy India admission process:

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