How Do You Become an NBA Scout? Michael Jordan may have never made it to the six-NBA championships had the NBA scouts not shown their faith and trust in him. The world may never have seen Chicago Bulls emerge as an unbeatable force in the 1990s had the duo of Pippin and MJ not existed. The two players who became the face of arguably the most significant NBA side owed it all to the scouts who worked tirelessly to observe, analyze, and judge them before drafting them into the NBA circuit. Similarly, the world may not even have heard the name of Kobe Bryant had Jerry West not scouted the young fragile yet highly athletic and competent Kobe Bryant. 

The players mentioned above went on to record marvelous achievements in the history of basketball and gave countless memories to their supporters who cheered for them throughout their careers. Many people took up the sports because of these big names who left quite an impression on the history of the game and league. This shows how massive an impact these basketball stars have had. And, these are not the only few names; there are numerous other examples of players who changed the entire history of basketball with their skill and determination. 

However, what often goes unnoticed or is ignored is the fact that none of it would have been achieved had these players not been scouted by expert scouts.

How Do You Become an NBA Scout?

Scouting is a very thankless job where a person travels hundreds of miles to watch different games, observe different players, analyze their gameplay, study analytics, and then come up with a list of potential players who deserve a chance at the higher level.

These scouts form an integral part of the NBA building. Or, it would be fair to say that these scouts serve as the very foundation of the NBA structure.

Scouts mainly “look for players who have the talent or the potential to serve their teams at the NBA level.” They keep track of the performances of these prospective NBA players, and a few of them are drafted into the NBA based on their skill level, performances, and talent. Once selected, these players enter the NBA circuit and go directly under the umbrella of expert Coaches and trainers, who further prepare them for the big stage. These coaches then go back to the local level and look for more players to pick. This scouting process provides a pipeline for the new talent to be added to the NBA.

What does it take to become an NBA Scout?

Scouting is a job that involves a great deal of responsibility since these scouts can prove decisive in the lives of many. A good call can create a new star, while a wrong call may demolish a magnificent career even before it is made. A great scouting pick may earn the team and NBA millions of dollars, if not billions, while an inaccurate or imprecise selection would cost the franchise millions of dollars.

It is not as easy as it seems. There are multiple skills that a scout must possess if he really wants to taste success and glory as a scout.

Excellent understanding of the Game

A scout must possess a sound understanding of the game if he really wants to be successful at the highest level. If you’re going to be an NBA scout, you must know about the various phases of play, the game plan, the tactical play, and the game that goes on within the game. Only then, a scout can be successful at this level.

You need to be able to understand how the two teams are playing at that very moment, what is the game plan of the teams, what are the requirements of the game, and how a particular player is reacting to the situation and using his strengths to accomplish something for his team. Actually, the scouts are only looking for one or two players, but to achieve that goal, they have to read the game from both sides.

It may sound simple, but it indeed is a very draining process that requires keen observations, swift analysis, and smart decisions.

Having an EYE

The idea of having an eye that is able to identify the pearls is very true and applicable to the scouting process. At times, scouts are able to pick their players with the very first impression. Following that, they look for particular signs and traits in a player. At times these first impressions can be misleading as well, but in the case of experienced Coaches, often their guesses are precise, accurate, and pinpoint.

Experience

Experience is what enables different scouts to make wise calls and vast sums of money. There is no relevant or suitable substitute to experience, which allows you to find the finest of players. Experience enables you to pick your teenagers whose raw talent can be polished to develop them into world-beaters. 

Educational Side of Scouting

With the advent of the latest technology and all the advancements, Scouting is no longer about simply picking up players on the basis of their performances and impressions. The field has been transformed with all the analytics, calculations, and evaluations. Therefore, a more studious approach to Scouting is required if a scout wants to establish himself or herself in the field.

The field now requires a specific level of education that may include any particular certifications or degrees to ensure that a person has pursued formal education in the field of Scouting. Different universities and institutes offer degree programs in scouting with specializations to allow common people to learn about the scouting process’s necessary details.

In these degrees, statistical analysis and its applications to basketball are taught. Scouts are also trained to look for the behavioral patterns of players and also develop an ability to study the mindsets of different players. This offers an invaluable chance for people to start from scratch and excel in the field of Scouting while also staying connected with their favorite sport, basketball.

Attending Basketball Matches

To spot players, you need to stay in touch with the matches and events so that you may watch as many players as you can and then pick the finest of them as part of your scouting process. Once completed, these players can be trained to develop their fitness, techniques, and athleticism. However, the essential condition is that you have the resources and time to attend as many matches as possible.

There have been reported incidents of scouts sleeping on the subways stations as they would miss their trains because of late finishes to matches.

This level of commitment, dedication, and routine to regularly attend matches differentiates great scouts from ordinary ones. That is the making of a scout.

Networking

For successful Scouting, a scout must-visit events, matches, and games to interact with as many sporting personalities as possible. This way, they tend to find out about the future players and get a chance to take a closer look at all those players.

Moreover, networking also helps you remain closely in touch with different NBA teams, which can help you establish yourself as a professional NBA scout. These contacts not only add to your profile and allow you a chance to remain in touch with the latest happenings around the basketball circuit but also empower you to enhance your profile as a professional NBA scout.

At times, the access to certain games is limited, or the scouts have limited resources and thus cannot attend the game. With the necessary contacts and links, these scouts can arrange passes for these games and can even make arrangements for their accommodation and other needs.

Thus, networking is an aid to the success of the scouting process.

What are the qualities to look for in a player as an NBA scout?

It is equally important to know what qualities are sought as an NBA scout and what your assignment actually is. These are the skills and qualities that you should look for in a player as an NBA scout. These are the features that generally catch the eye of an NBA scout.

Athleticism

The importance, significance, and impact of athleticism on the success of a basketball player or team are evident and well-understood. Generally, athleticism is a huge plus and often is the factor that is given its due share of importance. A highly athletic player is easy to spot and can be trained into a highly impactful man on the court. Athleticism includes the ability of a player to perform vertical glides, possess swift lateral movements, and have an eye-catching dribbling speed to bamboozle the opponents.

Since scouts are looking for players at the age-group level, athleticism is a necessary trait to look for since players are young and agile enough to showcase their athletic ability on the court. Being a scout, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are judging the athleticism and agility of the players to perfection.

Character

You cannot take the character out of the equation regardless of where you are and what you consider or discuss. Character always matters the most, and it often stands out among other qualities.

To look for a player’s character, you should try to study and understand a player’s work ethic. This tells you about his philosophy regarding the game and also enables you to understand his strengths and weaknesses in a better manner. Moreover, his interaction with his teammates and behavior with the coaches should also be considered and accordingly studied. Leadership is another factor that must be considered and can offer greater rewards in the long run. You must look for the leadership potential of a player if you genuinely want to do justice to your scouting job.

Versatility

A versatile player is the one to look out for since he can contribute to a team’s success like none other. The ability to play at multiple positions such as point guard, shooting guard or small forward makes a player a great asset for a team.

Being a scout, you always know what balance you want for your team and, therefore, choose the most versatile players to strengthen your talent pool.

Shooting Potential

An ultra-consistent Shooting potential can almost guarantee you a place on any team sheet. The first thing that you learn as a scout is the ability to identify the potential of a player. And if a player does seem to possess the much-needed shooting potential, a scout must verify the player’s potential and report his findings to his team.

Instincts and Game Awareness

While instincts are purely natural, Game awareness is something that is developed over an extended period of time. If you want to be successful as a scout, you must shortlist players on the basis of this skill because such players often go on to be the leaders and match winners.

Prospects of Being an NBA Scout

Generally, NBA scouts make somewhere between 35,000 USDs to 100000 USD. Experienced scouts may make more significant sums of money depending on the players they identify and their networks, but the average value lies between 35000-10000 USDs.

By following these basic guidelines, one can certainly start with his or her journey of becoming an NBA scout. Sticking to the detail and process is all one needs if glory is to be attained as an NBA scout.