USA Basketball
The Matt Babcock Show
Over the past couple weeks, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to attend two mini-camps held by USA basketball. I got to see young stars from the U16 and U19 teams that have some serious talent. For a lot of these young players, it is their first opportunity to represent their country. For myself, it is a great chance to see some of the country’s top prospects in a competitive setting. Listen in to hear about some of the players that caught my eye from both of these squads. I wouldn’t be surprised if a handful of these guys ended up in the NBA.
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Draft Decisions
The Matt Babcock Show
The draft combine just wrapped up and the NCAA early entry withdrawal deadline is just around the corner so there are some big decisions that need to be made by these young NBA hopefuls. Should you stay in school or go pro? With the way contracts are broken down, if you are projected in the first round then it is a reasonable decision to stay in the draft. There is definitely a greater financial risk if you are drafted in the second round as contracts are fully negotiable and you are missing out on potential NIL compensation that you could receive if you return to college.
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NBA Draft Combine
The Matt Babcock Show
I'm currently in Chicago at the NBA Draft Combine. This is a familiar setting and I remember being back in high school when I worked here as a volunteer. The combine has definitely changed since then but I still remember some of the great relationships I forged through this event. The 2003 combine stands out for me as I remember watching players like Luke Walton, James Jones and Kendrick Perkins. Also, listen in to hear my 2015 Draft Combine experience when I represented Jordan Mickey as his agent. I'm thankful that I can reflect on all these experiences and still be able to work in the...
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Get in the Trenches
The Matt Babcock Show
In 2009, I saw my first success by recruiting a star player from the University of Kentucky named Jodie Meeks. That summer our agency also represented Ron Artest! Listen in to hear everything that happened behind the scenes and how I became more involved working with Ron. My role evolved and I began looking for new clients for the agency. The second player I brought to the agency was Samardo Samuels and I was very hands on with him through the pre-draft process and leading up to draft night. What a crazy learning experience!
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Pre Draft Process
The Matt Babcock Show
Many kids dream to play in the NBA and in a couple months this will become a reality. Let’s talk about what happens behind the scenes in the months leading up to the draft. Prospects look to boost their stock through the draft combine, team interviews and on-court workouts. This is when analysts and scouts really try to gain as much intel as possible. The more information you have the better!
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Coming Into My Own
The Matt Babcock Show
The world of a sports agent isn't for everyone. The year was 2009 when I started to come into my own. Bouncing from one big agency to another can be exhausting. I finally caught my first break when I brought Jodie Meeks to DB hoops. After that signing, I gained both the confidence and skill to take my career to the next level.
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Still a Buck
The Matt Babcock Show
My family first moved to Milwaukee in 1997 when my father, Dave Babcock started working in the front office for the Bucks. My dad has taken on different roles during his time in Milwaukee and has played a pivotal role in the drafting of key players. He's not a big self promoter but I'll take this episode to give him his flowers. Also, I remember when I started getting more involved with the organization at a young age. I did all that I could to maximize my resources and learn as much as possible. Listen in to hear some of the different jobs I took on early in my career.
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The 2001 Bucks
The Matt Babcock Show
In 2001 I had a firsthand experience watching the Bucks go on a run in the playoffs. This Bucks team was stacked with players like Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson. This is when I got my first taste of how emotional the playoffs can be. Every series was a war and I remember the questionable officiating. I also remember how disappointed I was when the Bucks lost in the conference finals. So many "what-ifs" with this team.
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Embrace the Grind
The Matt Babcock Show
The NBA draft is the most important day of the year for me. I need to travel, review analytics and watch film year-round to get a sense of what these prospects are all about. This year I started off in Las Vegas to see Victor Wembanyama play against Scoot Henderson. It's important to keep a pulse on all prospects and learn everything you can from their play style to their character. Preparation and efficiency are everything when it comes to this job.
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Almost Famous
The Matt Babcock Show
The Milwaukee Bucks hired George Karl in 1998 and I subsequently became more involved with the team and built a friendship with his son Coby. That spring I went on the trip of a lifetime with the Bucks.
info_outlineLet’s turn the clock back to 2006. Fresh out of school and right into the coaching scene. 22 years old and I got my first coaching gig. What an experience it was. When I first landed, I thought I made a mistake. What was I doing here? Listen in to hear how I dealt with this challenge and how it helped my personal development. Don’t ever be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.
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