Over the last few weeks, I’ve had some troubling conversations with four different players—all of them reaching out independently with the same uneasy question:
“Sean, does this sound right to you?”
What they shared wasn’t illegal. But it was definitely suspect. And in my eyes—unethical.
Each story centered around an agent based in the U.S. recommending a particular overseas combine or exposure camp. On the surface, it sounded like a way to get scouted. But as I dug deeper into the messages they received, the red flags kept piling up.
Here’s how the playbook looked:
- The agent acknowledges the player’s resume might be “a tough sell” overseas.
- The agent recommends a specific combine where “scouts will be watching, both in-person and online.”
- The agent casually drops a line: “Mention my name for a discounted rate.”
Sound familiar?
Now let me be clear: recommending a combine isn’t automatically wrong. But when you pair a weak resume pitch with what looks like a financial incentive—suddenly you have to wonder:
Is this agent helping me… or selling me?
Playing Devil’s Advocate… But Not Blind
Could these agents be getting a financial kickback from the camp organizers? Maybe. Can I prove it? No. But as someone who’s been in this game for 30 years, I trust my gut—and so did those four players.
Let’s rewind.
Back when I was playing, my agent believed in me enough and sent me to a summer league in Treviso, Italy. It was run by Nike and known as a legit stepping stone to overseas success. My agent didn’t make a dime off that recommendation—in fact, he covered my costs. Why? Because he believed he’d earn his investment back with my next contract. And he did.
That’s what belief looks like.
A legit agent might ask you to invest in a camp. That’s fine—as long as the recommendation is about your growth, not their profit. But handing you a “promo code” like this is some kind of influencer hustle? That’s not mentorship—that’s padding pockets.
And Then There’s the “Online Exposure” Pitch…
Let’s talk about the idea that GMs and coaches overseas are watching U.S.-based combines online in real-time.
Let’s say a camp runs on the East Coast and starts at 3 PM. That’s 9 PM in Germany. Not terrible, but if it’s West Coast? Now we’re talking midnight. You think a GM or coach is waking up to livestream a 6-hour camp of unsigned players during the offseason?
Come on, man. I never once watched a livestream and I do not know of any overseas coaches that have done so.
The honest truth? Most coaches don’t have time for that. And if they do, they’re not relying solely on camp streams—they’re calling their trusted agents and insiders for real scouting reports.
This is why trusting your gut matters.
Those four players who came to me? They knew something didn’t feel right. And guess what? That instinct probably saved them time, money, and frustration.
Hoopers—You Deserve Better
There are black sheep in every business, and unfortunately, overseas basketball isn’t exempt. If this shady trend of commission-based combine recommendations grows, the line between development and exploitation will blur even more.
So here’s my message: Find someone who believes in you. Someone who will make moves based on your talent, not your wallet.
If you’re unsure what to do next—if your gut is throwing red flags but your head is spinning—this is exactly why SJM Consulting exists. I’ve been there. I’ve seen the tricks. I help players like you navigate these grey areas with clarity and confidence.
Part 2 Coming Soon: In the next blog, I’ll break down how some of these same agents are pushing players into leagues that don’t even carry FIBA or NBA recognition—and why that could be a dangerous career move.
Until then…
Let’s Talk…