Want to play at the highest level of basketball? Picking the correct grassroots program has never been more important. Over the past 13 years, three global shoe brands have launched national “circuits” alongside the national independent circuit; Nike, adidas, and Under Armour.  Nike started things off with the Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) in 2010, followed by adidas 3 Stripes Select Basketball (3SSB) & the Under Armour Association (UAA).

After running the numbers, our team found that which platform a prospect competes on is one of the most important things they can do to improve their chances of becoming and NBA player. Nearly every American-born player competed for a grassroots club, and the majority of them competed on a modern-day shoe circuit.

% of NBA players that played on a shoe circuit (EYBL, adidas, UAA)
58.1% (304 / 523)

% of NBA players that are Nike EYBL alumni
40.7% (213 / 523)

% of NBA players that are adidas 3SSB alumni
11.6% (61 / 523)

% of NBA players that are UAA alumni
6.7% (35 / 523)

% of NBA Players that are Independent alumni (post 2010)
15.9% (83 / 523)

% of NBA International players (post 2010)
11.7% (61 / 523)

% of NBA that played pre-circuit (played before 2010)
13.4% (70 / 523)

% of NBA that played for a pre-circuit Nike program
2.3% (12 / 523)

% of NBA that played for a pre-circuit adidas program
2.4%  (13 / 523)

% of NBA that played for a pre-circuit UAA program
.07% (4 / 523)

% of NBA that played for a pre-circuit International
2.3% (12 / 523)

% of total alumni from Nike Programs
60.4% (316 / 523)

% of total alumni from adidas Programs
14.1% (74 / 523)

% of total alumni from UAA programs
7.5% (39 / 523)

% of total alumni of Independent programs
22.2% (116 / 523)

% of total International route NBA players
13.8% (72 / 523)

% of NBA players that played on a shoe circuit (EYBL, adidas, UAA)
78.8% (309 / 392)

% of Nike EYBL Circuit era players (played 2010 or later)
54.3% (213 / 392)

% of independent players (played 2010 or later)
21.2% (83 / 392)

% of Adidas Circuit era players (grad 2011 or later)
15.5% (61 / 392)

% of UAA circuit era players (grad 2011 or later)
8.9% (35 / 392)

*5 players competed on two circuits during their final year of grassroots

• Team CP3 (NC): 11
• UPLAY (CAN): 10
• Georgia Stars (GA): 9
• Oakland Soldiers (CA): 9
• Team Final (PA): 9
• Brad Beal Elite (MO): 8
• Houston Hoops (TX): 8
• Indy Heat Gym Rats (IN): 8
• Boo Williams (VA): 7
• City Rocks (NY): 7
• E1T1 United (FL): 7
• MOKAN Elite (MO): 7
• Seattle Rotary Style (WA): 6
• Compton Magic (CA): 6
• Howard Pulley (MN): 6
• Indiana Elite (IN): 6
• MeanStreets (IL): 6
• PSA Cardinals (NY): 6
• Team Takeover (DC): 6
• New Heights (NY): 5
• The Renaissance (NY): 5
• Playaz Club (NJ): 5
• Pump N Run (CA): 5
• Team Loaded (VA/NC): 5
• Texas Titans (TX): 5
• The Family (MI): 5
• Wings Elite (AR): 5