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September 6, 2020Premier Basketball is proud to announce that we will be the espnW Top 100 content, ranking, and recruitment information provider starting with the release of the espnW 2021 Top 100 and correlating article on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
We are very proud of our Premier Basketball TEAM:
Joey Simmons
Founder - Premier Basketball
Shane Laflin (right)
Director - Premier Basketball Report
Brittany Graham
Premier Basketball
Content Creator – Photography
Katie Hensle
Premier Basketball National Scout
Head Coach - Austin Westlake HS
Jason Key (right)
Premier Basketball National Scout
Jineen Williams
Premier Basketball
Creative Visionary - Digital Storytelling
Mark Williams (right)
Premier Basketball Global Scout
We take this honor very seriously and intend to work diligently to serve the game of women’s basketball. We look forward to continuing to foster relationships, meet and form new ones, and attending and observing the numerous basketball events throughout the year. We will see you in a gym soon!
Our Philosophy
At Premier Basketball we aim to run organized events and create a competitive environment of which players can be proud – where they care about TEAM basketball and winning as well as having a stage to perform for coaches in a situation that simulates next level competition. We have some fun things planned for the future.
Our mission as the Premier Basketball Report: give an honest and agenda free assessment of players to college coaches to connect the right players to the right programs. We want to do what we can to aide with information, maximize time, and be a conduit for this process. And, we like to have a little fun with it too while we chop it up in the gyms with players, coaches, and families. Serving these players is our passion. We want to set the table for these players with opportunities and we want coaches to be successful with these players.
We shared this article last summer to give some transparency to our evaluation methods:
August 7, 2019
by Jason Key and Shane Laflin
JASON KEY:
I’m often asked what it is I’m looking for in a particular player when watching games. This is such an interesting question that I never know just quite how to answer. First and foremost, I’m a lifelong basketball head. I hear the word “evaluator” as the definition of what I do and sometimes chuckle because I’m more of a fan than anything else. I LOVE the game, l LOVE the lifelong opportunities the game represents & presents to so many young kids, and I LOVE the people that are as passionate about the growth of women’s basketball from the grassroots to professional levels as I am. When “evaluating”, the truth is I am watching to find out a player’s measurables (they DO matter), their athleticism (it DOES matter), their skillset (OF COURSE it matters), their IQ (the most underrated aspect of any player), and lastly their competitive feel for the game – which I probably value more than most. I’m watching to get a real feel for who a particular player truly is at their basketball “core”. The truly competitive players who value winning/competing with their team over individual stats and accolades invariably become the most productive collegiate and professional players. I also greatly value context – meaning whom a player is playing with and against, what (if anything) is on the line - it all matters to me. Please don’t take that as meaning I only value “high level” club games. I value a true leader attempting to overcome the odds while playing with an overmatched team just as much if not more. I certainly value High School basketball production more than most. Something Shane Laflin said to me years ago that always sticks with me and explains my basketball “values” the best in one phrase – “The game is played in fives, not ones”. The players that play the games in “fives” particularly stand out to me.
SHANE LAFLIN:
Echoing a few of Jason’s opening statement sentiments, I get asked quite frequently what I look for in a players as an “evaluator”. I’m not much for “labels” I guess, because my experience is more than one who evaluates, but I understand the responsibility and influence that can come with the label, so I’m not saying I fight it either.
First and foremost I’m a fan of the game and have pretty much been a basketball junkie since I shot my first shot at the age of five at Estrada Park in Tempe, AZ (you’re damn right I remember it..). So, early on, those are the eyes that I watch through. Who here loves the game? As I watch, simply who stands out? Why?
I was fortunate enough to work hard, meet the right people, and spend 10 years coaching at the Division 1 level before working for Premier Basketball, so those are the eyes that I watch through second. I watch thinking about recruitment, different program systems, and potential of winning.
Lastly, I watch through the eyes of an evaluator. We have a private ranking for our subscribers and for ourselves with The Premier Basketball Report, so that is generally in the back of my mind at some point during the experiences at all of these events. Question: Should we make them public? (Topic for another day.) We serve all levels of programs, so I am always thinking about “level” and potential based on class, age, etc. Finally, I evaluate based on the honor and responsibility of being on the McDonald’s All-American Committee and the Naismith Trophy Board of Selectors. (And now as part of the espnW content as well.)
Some Elements of My Evaluation Methods (no particular order):
Context – When, where, against whom? Etc.
Skill – They translate. Period. Tells a lot about projection to the next level. Where are they now? What is best? What lacks? Do they improve over time?
How do they play the game? – In other words: motor, team play, overall game, decisions, awareness, attitude, etc. Can they help a team win?
Defensive Awareness– HUGE for me because they will be expected to play on both ends at the next level and there are a lot of systems to learn out there. With no foundation, the learning is really hard.
Physical Shape, Durability, Athleticism – College basketball can be grueling.. If the first time they are really expected to get in shape is their freshman year – it’s going to be a long year. Toughness is huge – mentally and physically. Athleticism does matter – but it’s not the end all, be all in WBB.
Coachability – Says a lot about your ability to grow and play at higher levels in basketball. Period.
Improvement Over Time – We ultimately see these players several times. This is just huge for me.. Basketball is a game in which you can always improve. Are you?
Scorer? Shooter? Specialty Role? – Scorers are a premium. Shooters are at an all-time premium right now. Contrary to popular belief real basketball people value role players too – lock down defenders, screeners, rebounders … even if those new to the game (and social media) don’t realize it. Teams need more than the starting five and even starting fives need these roles filled. They help TEAMS WIN.
Game in 5’s – This is how the game should be played and ultimately is the way to win (still) in WBB. If a player is out there to only “get theirs”, I recognize the talent, but quickly move on because they don’t help teams win at the highest level when it matters most.
Projection and Translation – This is an inexact science and takes a feel for all of the above. There is a balance between production and potential. Context helps define the likelihood of translation to the next level. Things like that.. Ultimately, I’m big on the question “Will they help you win?” because if they will, then they’ll play. If they play and help you win, you are a happy coach and they are a happy player. If they don’t help you win and are not playing and are not happy … Well, we all know where that goes.
THANK YOU!!
Thank you for being part of this momentous day with us. We will most certainly be in a gym near you sooner rather than later.
-- The Premier Basketball TEAM
