Category: C. COLLEGE TENNIS and INSTRUCTION

INTERNATIONALS PLAYING COLLEGE BASKETBALL IN AMERICA 

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INTERNATIONALS PLAYING COLLEGE BASKETBALL IN AMERICA 

1998

Mr. Rudy Washington, Editor-in-Chief The BCA Journal

P. O. Box 4040

Culver City, CA 90231-4040

Dear M.r Washington:

I’ve coached college tennis for 30-plus years and I have been dismayed by the preponderance of international players who have usurped many tennis scholarships from American youngsters.

There seems to be a trend toward this in basketball. Has the BCA addressed the danger to American student athletes this poses, in particular college basketball. Should there be a  limit to this?

If your Journal has addressed this issue, please let me know. It seems basketball is a game that this should concern.

ETP:1h

Sincerely,

Tom Parham

Men’s Tennis Coach

****************************

2025– AI REPORT

Estimate of Non-American Starters in 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball

International Player Representation in 2023-24

The 2023-24 season saw a record influx of international (non-U.S.) players in Division I men’s basketball. According to FIBA’s analysis of NCAA data, 826 male international players competed in Division I during 2023-24 (2024 Migration Report highlights ongoing surge in International Transfers | About FIBA). This marked a 5.8% increase from the previous season and a substantial jump from a few years prior (for context, there were about 663 international players in 2018-19 (The Global Game: An Overview of European Players in College Basketball – BasketballNcaa)). The presence of foreign talent is widespread across schools: most Division I programs (78.5%) had at least one foreign-born scholarship player on their roster as of 2018, and nearly 30% of teams had three or more international players that year (The Global Game: An Overview of European Players in College Basketball – BasketballNcaa). With the continued growth in international recruits (Canada and Europe being top sources), it’s likely that an even higher percentage of teams carry multiple non-American players today.

International Players in Starting Lineups

Not all 826 international athletes are starters, but many play significant roles. By 2024, the majority of Division I teams have at least one international player, and in many cases that player is a starter or key rotation member. It’s common for teams to start one foreign player, and some programs even feature two international players in their starting five (given that roughly 30% of teams had 3+ internationals on roster in 2018 (The Global Game: An Overview of European Players in College Basketball – BasketballNcaa), those teams often start more than one). This trend has only grown as coaches actively recruit overseas talent for impact roles.

Estimating the Number of Non-American Starters

With approximately 350–360 Division I teams (each with five starting spots, ~1,750+ total starters), we can estimate how many of those starters are non-American. If we assume around 70–80% of teams start at least one international player, that alone would account for roughly 250–280 foreign starters (0.7–0.8 × ~350). In addition, a number of teams likely start two international players, which could add a few dozen more to the count. Considering these factors, a reasonable estimate is that around 300 (give or take) of the starting players in Division I men’s basketball for the 2024 season were non-Americans. In percentage terms, this is on the order of 15–20% of all starters. This figure aligns with the proportion of international players in the sport (roughly 16% of D1 men’s players in recent years) and reflects the significant global influence on college basketball.

Conclusion: Exact figures for “starters” aren’t officially tracked by nationality, but based on the latest available data and team trends, roughly 250 to 300 Division I starting spots were filled by non-American players in 2024. In other words, around three hundred international players were regular starters in men’s D1 college basketball for the 2023-24 season, highlighting the growing impact of foreign players at the collegiate level (2024 Migration Report highlights ongoing surge in International Transfers | About FIBA) (The Global Game: An Overview of European Players in College Basketball – BasketballNcaa).

Sources: Official FIBA/NCAA reports and analyses of player demographics have been used to inform these estimates (2024 Migration Report highlights ongoing surge in International Transfers | About FIBA) (The Global Game: An Overview of European Players in College Basketball – BasketballNcaa). The increase to 826 international players in 2023-24 and the high percentage of teams featuring foreign talent form the basis for approximating how many of those athletes occupy starting roles. The estimate is well-founded given the data trends, even if an exact count of starters by nationality is not published.

SEVEN MINUTES

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Seven Minutes

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association ( ITA ) has just released a video on the history of American college tennis.  It can be seen on YouTube.   Seven minutes of the production deal with the complex issue of International players ( beginning at minute 53 to minute 60 ).  David Benjamin gives an accurate and fair summary of this conundrum.   

Personally I am grateful for the concern I have expressed starting in 1972 is history.

I have concluded that some amount of tennis scholarship  money should go first to  Americans.  How much ? 50% ?  As the film suggests–”…that is the question”!

In 1982,  having been voted down by the NAIA , I exited the meeting only to hear the NAIA CEO (Dr. Charles Morris )  whisper to me “….you are right, don’t quit “!

Once I questioned  my own persistence to a respected professional.  His adamant response was “… worth the effort? You’re damn right it is worth it.   It’s our children.  Child advocacy !”

The one point I take issue with is the suggestion only parents  were concerned and disappointed.   Young Americans are eliminated .  300 schools have dropped men’s teams for reasons Coach Benjamin cites.  Many  Coaches throughout the nation had nice local programs rendered unacceptable.  Fans and students say who cares?

Still American Parents and citizens write the checks.  

To have Parents and youngsters dismissed to go hunting for a fifth option for their higher education is not acceptable .

As mentioned the video can be accessed on YouTube. Or you can show it from the ITA website below:

The Home of College Tennis

I have included a letter to the ITA on this issue and others related

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CTkVeUfiQ5Ny7QMlYPZH4kBPvqvIMzMO8YpkxDxD1_s/edit?tab=t.0

THE HISTORY OF COLLEGE TENNIS

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The  History Of College Tennis and the ITA

I viewed with pride and appreciation the new video.  Everyone in College tennis in general, and small divisions in particular,  owes gratitude to David Benjamin.  

The NAIA, Division II, and JUCOS were where the influx of international tennis players began.  From 1970 to 1980 was our boom.  

Early on many of us wondered if this was the best thing for our schools and students and their families.  Many of us still do. 

We lost the argument even though a majority of ITCA coaches supported limitations.  Fear of a lawsuit frightened  some.  The diversity issue merited influence. 

I do take issue with the video on several points.  

The suggestion that there are many opportunities for American youngsters at high quality Universities and colleges ( with a sizable scholarship) is flawed.  Division I schools number in the hundreds before most of those have Americans with large grants for tennis.  Division II is almost totally international among its elite institutions.  Ditto for JUCOS.  Women too.  Don’t mention DIII with no grants, just price tags that create family debt for even wealthy families and students.  The ITA website now makes data available  that refutes  earlier USTA numbers.  

Paying the players will attract more and better internationals.   They will bump more good  American kids and lesser internationals.  Will the same happen with basketball with losers being mostly Black kids?  Really all “Global Sports” ( Golf, Soccer, Volleyball, Track. Etc.)?

Don’t we have a right to take care of our own?

Links below are lengthy articles I wrote on scholarships, portal and payments, Artificial Intelligence and college tennis , colleges to pros. 

Please relay my sincere regards to David Benjamin.  Tom Parham.

“WHOA, NELLY!”
NEXT PLEASE

http://www.tompqrham.wordpress.com

A NEW BOOK?

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New Book by Tom Parham?

No but–It is as long as a book.  MILESTONES is an index to writings, projects, collections, since the last revision of THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS (2015 ). 

Along with free access to all  seven previous books and 500 plus blog articles, there are twenty new instruction articles on the changing world of tennis. Plus 10 of the most visited coaching parts of the revised THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS.

A brochure that highlights SHOT DOCTORS.

A new section , THE REST of THE STORY, focuses on three recent developments that have an effect on college tennis in America: 1. The Portal and Likeness issues  2. Article Intelligence (AI) and 3. College tennis is becoming “ the minor leagues of Professional tennis!”

GOOD JOB

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Just read the whole article in New York Times.

This is good analysis, writing , AND COACHING.

Analysis from James Hansen, senior editor for tennis

In this specific matchup, Michelsen’s ability to hit down-the-line and cross-court on his backhand from almost any position prevented Tsitsipas from using his favorite tactic. He knows his one-handed backhand can hamper him, so tends to try and hit an inside-out forehand (a forehand from the ad-court) as early as he can in a rally. To do this, he shuffles to his left, but this leaves him open to being attacked if his opponent can hit a backhand into that space. Michelsen can do that.

Tsitsipas could neutralize that problem with a slice, or a short ball, but he isn’t comfortable playing those kinds of shots. As a result, he found himself caught in a tactical fight he could not win.

(Graham Denholm / Getty Images

PEG WORDS AND ONE-LINERS

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For Coaches

On Critics 

“Bullfight critics row on row,

Pack the vast arena full.

But there’s only one there who knows,

And he’s the one who fights the bull.”

From Michener’s “Mexico” 

******

Next to net play, the service return requires the most quickness. Good players “unweight” or bounce slightly to ready themselves.

You have to get wide, get low, and get ready. The first part of quick is ready!

******

Diversity: Coaches hitched on to the popular gravy train of “diversity”. Diversity in college tennis became an American with a large scholarship.

********

There are four corners on each side of the court. Two are up at the net.  Hint: Drop shots.

********

********

Service Returns

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“OFF SEASON” ?

“There is no off season”

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A NEW SHOT?

Watch this shot emerge as the next  “ old “emerging shot: THE TOPSPIN LOB.

********


I watched one of Coach Leighton’s varsity players use a forehand grip that violated much of Leighton’s fundamental thought. I asked, Are you gonna let him keep playing that way? He simply said, “Watch him hit it!” Boom, boom, boom! Then the Coach said, “if a flaw works don’t change it.”

********

 “Every match is preparation for another match.”
********

 If I taught a 2015 talented youngster I might suggest: 

You must change your western forehand to this universal grip to volley, hit most forehand approach shots, and short, low forehands.

Use a western grip for all deep forehand shots

Use the backhand to continental grip(s) for every other shot. It is the most versatile and functional grip.

********

Your knees are your elevators on low volleys. Right-handers – on your low forehand your right knee almost touches the court. Backhands, left knee.

********

Once Borg, when asked by Bud Collins to cite his most valuable tennis asset, replied simply, “legs!”

********

Golf Advice Only?

It’s the only thing written on his (Harvey Penick’s)  personal brand of golf clubs. “Take dead aim!” ThinkTarget.

********

Good Eye?

We adopted this policy: 1) In practice, if you have any doubt let it go and see if you are right. 2) In a match, with any doubt, go ahead and play it. Soon I could see our players use better and better judgment. We would occasionally let one drop in, but our percentage grew dramatically.

*********

—don’t have your finger in your ear and your mind in neutral
and miss the one-two of doubles.

********

THROWING ?

 If you think women are anatomically limited in throwing,

watch modern women’s tennis, or better still, collegiate women’s softball.

Zing!

********

Charlie Owens perfected a “just high enough” forehand lob down the line to force the net player to hit a lukewarm backhand overhead to his only logical cross-court target. Charlie would be there waiting for it with a  “passer.”

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Volley Tip

This is an area in which American players and teachers could get better. For example, we are “spot specific” on passing shots, but on volleys many of our kids just sort of “bang it over on the other side.”

********

“Balance is the clue to good tennis, and footwork is the clue to good

balance” –Welby Van Horn.

*******

Two rally suggestions: (1. Hit ground strokes off the first bounce only. Second bounce hits are not legal, plus first bounce makes you hustle to the ball and hit some awkward shots. 2. There is no need to hit balls that are out of bounds. Just knock them down, or let
them go, and start a new inbounds rally.)

*********

Compare the “hit spot” for a backhand two-hander to a one-handed backhand slice.

*********

“Doubles is a one-two game”. “Double faults are double trouble in doubles”.

********

“YOU ARE COACHING THE WOMEN’S TEAM! “

Before I said anything, one young lady offered, “we are so glad we now have a man coach.” They all shook their heads in agreement. I didn’t agree and told them so. In my first “coaching” of women. I offered, “You wouldn’t mind a good woman coach. What you don’t want is a poor coach,

man or woman.” 

*********

MEN COACHING WOMEN? Men are from Mars; women are from Venus. How do you identify these
differences as far as coaching goes? The best source for a “crash course”
on the subject would be to consult Anson Dorrance’s book on the subject.

*********

BEGINNING FOOTWORK

  • Tennis starts in your eyes and brain and goes to  your feet and legs immediately.  Here is a beginning footwork drill for newcomers:  It is done without a racket or ball.  ONLY FOOTWORK.  And  mimicking several shots you will have to master.
  •  ALWAYS RETURN TO THE MIDDLE OF THEIR BEST SHOT, USING PROPER FOOTWORK-BEGIN WITH A QUICK WALK-LIKE FOOTWORK TO THE BALL. USUALLY SHUFFLE STEPS BACK TO CENTER.

*********

A “BIGGIE “

Teaching “killer instinct” is key. Ahead a service break? Get a second.

I think that the most vulnerable points are “ahead points,” 40–15 and

30–0. These are the points that 20 year olds lose concentration on, thus

allowing that “old sinking feeling” to reenter.

When ahead, keep the pressure off yourself by staying ahead.

********

THE TOUGH AREA

There are three main “parts” you have to coach: physical, mental, and

emotional. The emotional part is the toughest to deal with. However, there

are really only two villainous emotions: Fear and anger. And they are both

Self-directed.

*********

COLLEGE CHOICES—ANOTHER ANGLE?

Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, DAVID AND GOLIATH has an interesting viewpoint regarding one’s choice of institutions for pursuing higher education. He suggests being a

” big fish in a little pond” yields better results than the other way around. Being in the top third of your class breeds esteem, whereas being in the lower third (albeit a third with fine students) often discourages those who are always looking up at those who out-perform them.

*******
Some one said “… a tennis player is as strong or as weak as their weakest link, and the weakest link in tennis is the second serve.”

********


Open Faced Shots by Jim Haslam

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To follow are some clips from a program developed by Jim Haslam ( See Bio ) .  The topic,  or theme , deals with open faced shots.  There were 55 clips filmed which proved too many to showcase.  In fairness to Coach Haslam the 16 selected are just  part of the  program.

In Jim’s career as a player, he was Australian hardcourt championship quarterfinalist, played #1 at Wake Forest, and was selected for first team ACC multiple times. At GTP Foundation, Jim is our specialist for serves, volleys, slices, and one handed backhand drives. He has 60 years of teaching experience and works with our GTP School students individually on his specialty shots.

Click HERE to view Haslam’s videos. The videos are organized from 1 to 16 with their corresponding titles.

SMARR-ISMS

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Below are shortened comments Ron Smarr offered having read this chapter.

  1. Never serve at your opponent’s strength on big points.
  2. Drop shots and topspin lobs are old shots that modern players are revisiting.
  3. Other than football, basketball and perhaps baseball-other college sports may become “club sports”!
  4. Serves and groundstrokes up the middle can take angle away from your opponent. And you run less.
  5. High school coaches and players and teams often are aided greatly by college coaches and local pros and players.
  6. Coaching is not just about winning.
  7. Many players are returning serve from way back. Enter the drop shot?
  8. The closer you are to the net the more you keep the racket head out in front.
  9. Over- night camps make directors much more exposed to liability.
  10. One Jerk will and can make things bad for the whole program.
  11. Movement can make 2/3 of the court available to a powerful shot. And avoid weak shots !

BORG’S SPEECH

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BORG’S SPEECH

Borg taught a magnificent lesson one day on TV. Having just beaten McEnroe in “the greatest match ever” I watched commentator Bud Collins interview the Wimbledon Champ. Collins asked Borg how he did it? Borg, stoic as ever said simply: “legs.” Nothing more. Collins had several minutes in his hands and rambled on in a commentary I don’t remember. 

Then, Borg, having thought some, took the mike from Bud. His comments were: 

  1. I was very nervous inside 
  2. I thought, surely I will lose. 
  3. I told myself, I must put these thoughts out of my mind. 
  4. I will not quit under any circumstances. 

End of clinic. Pretty good advice for a lot of areas

CHALLENGE MATCHES

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Challenge match policies are also extremely important. My essential

guidelines:

• Challenge matches earn you a spot in the lineup, match play

preserves the spot. These are perhaps the grimmest matches in

college tennis. (One of my players always lost.)

• The two most important challenge matches were between number

six and number seven (determines if you start) and number eight

and number nine (determines if you travel with the team). The coach

should always witness these matches.