The Foot Locker Elite Classic - Overseas Player Draft

Just announced at the Adelaide Dome:

‘Foot Locker Elite Classic – High Stakes Hoops’ Set To Attract Overseas Stars

Revolutionary ‘Overseas Player Draft’ Unveiled

Elite Classic Basketball (ECB) today unveiled a revolutionary ‘Overseas Player Draft’ which will see up to twenty-four high-calibre international players join the ranks of the ‘Foot Locker Elite Classic – High Stakes Hoops’.

‘The Foot Locker Elite Classic – High Stakes Hoops’, airing on ONE and running from April 6th to 11th at the Adelaide Dome, has already secured a star-studded cast of Team Rights Owners, Coaches, and committed players.

The Overseas Player Draft (OPD), though, is ECB’s most unique announcement yet.

The three-round OPD will see each of the 8 ECB Teams eligible to choose three players – one selection per round. Players will be flown in from international destinations, with most expected to come from the game’s spiritual home, the United States.

The first eight picks in the OPD will be determined by random chance, while the two following rounds will be determined based on the first round, giving each ECB team roughly the same quality of choice over the three rounds. Team Rights Owners will watch a simulated ‘ball drop’ program on March 3rd and make their selections once the order is decided.

Players will nominate by contacting ECB officials at info@eliteclassicbasketball.com. Any interested professional international player is eligible to nominate, and the nominated players will be listed on the highstakeshoops.com website as their nominations are approved. Players must be at least 18 years of age, must have a valid passport, and have no pre-existing injuries or immigration complications in order to nominate. Players can nominate from today until midnight March 2nd.

Nominating players must be able to travel from the United States on April 2nd arriving in Adelaide on April 4th. They will return on April 12th. Players from non-US destinations will be consulted regarding alternative plans if drafted.

“This Overseas Player Draft announcement is amazingly unique. Over the last month we have been approached by a large number of overseas players looking to be involved in the Foot Locker Elite Classic event. The OPD will ensure that the spread of this international playing talent is systematic” ECB Managing Director Jeff Van Groningen said today. “With each team able to claim up to three players in the Draft, rosters will start to take on a very international, exciting feel”, Van Groningen added.

NBL Hall-of-Famer Cal Bruton, involved in the ‘Foot Locker Elite Classic – High Stakes Hoops’, has spent recent weeks ascertaining potential interest from international players. “There are players who have played here in Australia before who would love to be a part of this. Then there are players who have heard so much about Australia who will nominate. There are recently graduated college players at that time of year, some of whom will be very, very good. And of course there will be seasoned professionals that just want to be a part of this event. Players know that this is a great concept – it’s only a week of their lives, its great television exposure on ONE, and they come and join one of the eight teams, stay at the Stamford Plaza, and have a chance to help their team win the money. What’s not to like?” Bruton stated.

‘The Foot Locker Elite Classic – High Stakes Hoops’ continues to innovate, and has gained the support of major names in the sport.

Australian coaching legend Brian Goorjian, currently coaching in China, is one who has offered his support of the event and is impressed by today’s announcement. “The depth of talent is out there, there are just so many good players looking for an involvement at that time of the year, particularly out of the U.S. This event has captured players’ imaginations, both here and overseas, and the crowds are going to benefit. They’ll see stars they‘re familiar with, players they’ve never seen, big names, new names. I’ve said before, I really like this format”, Goorjian said today. “I’m sure Australian players want to be a part of this. International guys do too, and the Draft is a nice way to ensure a good spread of those overseas guys across the teams”, Goorjian added.