Hi Billy,
I think BA and the State Associations are well aware of who's out there, but I don't think there are any Exum's, Simmons, Bolden's, Deng Adel's waiting to be uncovered.
If there were then the State Associations would have them in their NITP/NICC programs and, dare I say, in their State teams.
However, I do know some Associations and coaches actively discourage their players from attending NITP. I'm not sure what their motivation for that would be. For some, they are scared their players will be poached.
You only have to look at who goes to the Aus Development & Selection Camps. Who goes to the 3x3 tournaments, who goes to the Nike/NBA Basketball without Borders camps in Asia, Adidas Nations in Italy or USA. It's not always the same players.
Also, the State and/or BA pathway is not the only pathway to get a College Scholarship.
I'll give you some names, no doubt there will be more:
Dexter Kernich-Drew (NCAA Div 1 - Washington State)
Declan Soukup (NCAA Div 1 - Bryant)
Bosko Kostur (NCAA Div 1 - Bryant)
Jock Landale (NCAA Div 1 - St Mary's)
Declan & Bosko never made a State under-age Basketball team. But did make an Aus U19 Development/Selection Camp, go figure!! What does that say about the State Coaches/Selectors of the time?? There's also the Andrew Bogut getting cut from a Sate team and even a Dandenong Rangers junior team story.
I don't think Dexter or Jock made any State U16 or U18 teams. Jock only made the Vic U20 team this year for the first time.
What does this say - to a certain degree it re-inforces that politics in Basketball (& Sport) is alive and well, that you have to play for the right club, know the right people, but also CONFORM to what your State Association & Coaches want. But, equally, it says that some players develop much later than others.
For me this is the clincher, State Associations seem to push kids that are talent ID'd early and seem to stick with them and certainly don't seem to put as much effort into identifying the late bloomer/s. Also, kids get pigeon holed and written off too early. It is a pity, but as the boys above show you can get a Div 1 Scholarship. Put together some you tube clips and send out 300 odd emails to the NCAA Colleges. MARKET YOURSELF!
"If you don't ask, then you won't get"
Having said that, all of the above were certainly very very good VC players. The best in their respective teams. Should they have been in State Teams, probably, but circumstances & personal opinions of coaches/selectors prevented them. That's life. Move on, and they have.
Well done boys, no doubt you've embarrassed some people.