Who is here to help advance my career?
Key Learnings
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Take the decision to work with an agent very seriously because you are deciding to let someone act on your behalf.
Ensure your agent has certification from FIBA to work within International basketball as an agent.
Use different representatives (agent, financial advisor, and lawyer) for different parts of your personal and professional affairs.
Remember that the reputation you build at the early stages of your career will impact how marketable you are when you are playing at higher levels.
Build good relationships with your sponsors to increase the chances of renewing your contract.
A Player's mentor looks after the player’s best interests and personal development only.
A Players’ Mentor will help you develop your career and help you planning and identifying transitions.
Family plays a paramount role in the development of a player; however, they do not understand the specificities of the game, and, most of the time, they will not understand what is happening in your head.
Parents are primarily responsible for the overall evolution of the athlete as a person.

Large vs. small agencies

Additional points to consider include whether you want your agent to be part of a large agency, or if you prefer a more personal, one-on-one approach from a small agency. There are pros and cons for each option.

Large agency

Pros

  • Extensive network of contacts that can promote potential opportunities with various teams, leagues, and potential sponsors
  • Additional in-house services, including legal representation, financial management, travel assistance, and estate planning

Cons

  • Large agencies may charge larger representation fees
  • Agents may have other high-profile clients competing for their time

Smaller agency

Pros

  • Your agent will be able to offer more personalised representation and devote more time to you
  • Your agent will get to know you more closely, thereby creating more trust in the player-agent relationship

Cons

  • Lesser-known agents may lack the experience and proven performance needed to navigate the basketball world at the highest levels
  • Depending on the number of clients, he/she might still be limited in his/her time for you