College basketball kicked off yesterday, and fans across the country are energized with excitement. From buzzer‑beaters to early‑season surprises, this is the time when anticipation builds toward the ultimate goal: March Madness. But while you’re watching your favorite teams, it’s also the ideal moment to think about how you can be part of the game behind the scenes.

College Athletics Are Evolving Into Professional Front Offices

Today’s college basketball programs operate much like professional organizations, with front offices, analytics teams, player‑development staffs, video‑performance departments, and marketing operations. This evolution has created more career opportunities than ever before—whether in the NBA, internationally, or within collegiate programs. Every stat analyzed, every player developed, and every contract negotiated contributes to a team’s winning culture.

How to Get Involved

As you watch games this season, ask yourself:

• How could I contribute to a winning team?

• Could I help analyze player performance, scout talent, or develop athletes’ skills?

• What steps can I take today to enter the basketball industry?

The key is to show up where opportunity lives—network, gain credentials, and build the experience that will make you stand out.

SMWW Basketball Courses: Learn From the Best in the Industry

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) offers professional, online courses taught by top‑tier industry professionals. Each course features mentors with deep experience, real roles in basketball, and proven credentials:

Basketball Agent Course

• Bret Kanis – Certified NBA and FIBA player agent; represents professional athletes across multiple leagues; skilled in contract negotiation and endorsements.

• Jan Wieland – Certified NBA player agent and seasoned sports executive with global basketball experience; specializes in athlete representation, international contracts, and marketing.

Basketball Analytics Course

• Dean Oliver – NBA pioneer of advanced analytics, former Assistant Coach of the Washington Wizards; authored Basketball on Paper, and served in front‑office analytics roles with the Sacramento Kings and others.

• Ben Alamar – Former Director of Analytics for professional basketball teams; recognized expert in sports analytics and decision‑making for coaches and front‑office executives. 

Basketball GM & Scouting Course

• Rick Sund – Over 40 consecutive years of NBA executive experience; served as General Manager for the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Seattle SuperSonics, and Atlanta Hawks; currently Senior Advisor of Basketball Operations with the Hawks.

• Carl Berman – Veteran NBA scout and front‑office executive; brings real‑world experience in talent evaluation and player acquisition at the highest levels.

Basketball Player Development Course

• Larry Riley

  • Former General Manager of the Golden State Warriors (2009‑2012), where he drafted players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. 

  • Assistant to the General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks, working in senior basketball operations. 

  • Over 30 years of NBA experience including roles in scouting, coaching, and front‑office leadership.

• Irv Roland

  • Former Assistant Coach & Player Development Coach for the Utah Jazz (2021‑2023) and earlier roles with the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets. 

  • Personal trainer and development coach for elite NBA players such as James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.

Basketball Video Performance Analysis with Synergy

• James Kerti – Expert in basketball video performance analysis and Synergy Sports Technology; works with professional and collegiate teams on game preparation, tagging, and video workflows.

These courses are flexible, online, and designed for aspiring professionals—whether your goal is NBA, international leagues, or college basketball. By investing in your education today, you can turn your passion into a career and contribute to the sport you love.

Take Action This Season

As the college basketball season ramps up, remember: there’s more to the game than what happens on the court. The industry is full of career paths for agents, analysts, scouts, coaches, video specialists, and front‑office professionals. SMWW’s courses give you the skills, mentorship, and network to step into that world and help teams win.

Start building your basketball career today and explore all SMWW basketball courses: SMWW Basketball Courses