Expert: Bret Temple - 1/2/2010

Question
I'm a junior in highschool with an above avg GPA. I watch basketball constantly and know alot more than anyone i know, and for practice i try to "scout" players on our highschool team. I want to become and NBA or NCAA scout someday but i have no idea how to get there. Colleges call me and ask what i want to be and i tell them a Basketball Scout %26 they have no idea what kind of major that would be. Is this just a business that you need to know people? Thanks!

Answer
Christian,

To be honest, there are probably many ways to become involved in sports as a profession; a scout being one of them. However, there is not a simple or direct way to become one. Knowing someone helps tremendously. Starting out working for a college team or program, and then working your way up. You might want to contact the front office of your local professional basketball team and ask them what you need to do. They might even put you in contact with one of their scouts so you can ask them. As far as what major you would need to be in college, that I'm not sure. Probably something along the lines of Kinesiology. keep in mind that scouting is not necessarily a full time job. Most of the scouts do it part of the year and have some kind of other job. But if you can interview one, that will help you a lot. Good Luck.