Category: E. SPORTS COMMENTARY

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.

LO AND BEHOLD

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Until now the blog offered 500 plus articles , access to my books, and updates and new edits.

Recently I posted MILESTONES. It features new articles since 2015. UNCLE BUNKY features an INDEX of MILESTONES. A major segment within MILESTONES, entitled THE REST of the STORY, concentrates on College athletics changes ( i.e. Portals and amateurism etc ) in general — and college tennis in particular. And, how technology changes the game.

ALSO : In cooperation with Barton College THE BARTON PROJECT is now available through the college website and Facebook/Barton College. This is a personal recounting of the college, the town of Wilson, NC. and eastern North Carolina from 1960-1985.

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!”

“WHOA, NELLY!”

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REDSHIRT (Definition of an athlete staying out of college competition for a year to develop one’s skills and extend one’s period of playing eligibility: He redshirted last season. 

Most humans max out physically at about age 27 or 28, College freshmen start college at 17 or 18.

Aspiring professional tennis players have long been advised to not go to college.

A new scenario has emereged !

The first and main problem listed is described this way:

“… if you don’t start out with a trust fund, you’re stuck, especially for a sport like tennis that requires years of youth investment. This is a major, fatal disadvantage for American tennis. In Europe, South America and lately in Asia, kids from all social classes have a shot at a tennis career. If they show sufficient talent and motivation, there are numerous community organizations, government programs and general social assistance systems to help build up their careers, in part because these other societies strongly support investment in their youth. “

My inclination is to cite #1 as the core flaw to be dealt with.

Best current estimate for annual pro tour ? $100.000. PLUS A COACH! Big dogs now have a TEAM.

This hopefully covers travel , room. meals , coaching. facilities use, equipment. Stringing cost Borg $60K in 1980. Bottom line annual expenses – 200k plus. Average annual prize money ? About 25k.

Very few make the top 200, who about break even, The conditions are often horrible, lonely and dissapointing. One fine college player after trying the pro circuit said ” I got tired of eating mayonaisse sandwiches. You need about 3/4 years to develop physically”.

The galloping aullure of American College Tennis is attracting more and more, better and better potential pro players, who are betting on a different developmental arena.

College tennis is becoming the minor leagues of International tennis. 2024 was ample proof that that day is already here. And why not? Annual expenses? That is up to you. Great facilities and coaching, schedules featuring high quality match play. Fine practice partners (a team full ), not to mention a free college education. That most often is worth more than tennis.

And don’t forget- Pro tennis expenses come after years of very similar amounts of annual costs to be in the hunt.

The KICKER–The portal and likeness monies will make very lucrative possibilities for the best borderline international players. True too of the very top Americans. But only a few. Already the first year rumor mill is adrift with wildly questionable numbers and propositions being floated.

THE BAD NEWS IS A LOT OF FINE AMERICAN ASPIRANTS WILL BE IGNORED, And the same is probably true of many “global ” sports. Basketball, golf, soccer, volleyball, track and field are right behind. Tennis just got there first. See NEXT PLEASE ( https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/6105 ).

Currently college coaches go after the best players . Pretty simple. Earlier the players came from the student body. Then they recruited areas, then statewide, regionally, nationally, and internationaly. Now we are attracting elite players world wide. Is Mars next?

We have created a pathway only possible for the very best and richest, What about the majority of our kids?

THE CURRENT RUBICON

The NCAA holds it’s Convention in January. Changes are inevitable. Now is the time for wise choices that affect our children and our populace. Education, reason, health-physical and mental, sportsmanship , teamwork, on and on.

Do tennis players pay their own travel expenses?

The enormous and uncertain costs. PLAYERS ARE RESPONSIBLE for paying for their own transportation to and from tournaments, as well as the support staff who travel with them, including coaches and physios.Jan 17, 2023

“…as they start their journey toward the higher echelons of the tennis world. If we’re honest, prize money at this level is modest, with tournament funds typically totaling somewhere between %15,000 and $25,000. This is to say that the winner takes home anything from $2000 to $4000.

 ATP Challenger Tour saw players competing for prize money ranging from $36,680 to $156,240 per tournament, with approximately $21 000 going to winners on average. ( 2021 )

to qualify for Grand Slams, a player usually needs to be ranked amongst the 104 best players in the world, which is not an effortless accomplishment.

GOLLY PETE TONEY

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JIM TONEY

* JULY 4, 1985.  AW LED ME DOWN A NARROW PATH WITH DOZENS OF CARS PARKED NEARBY.    OPENING.  TENNIS COURT, POND, HOUSE AND POOL.   EVERY ONE HAD EITHER TENNIS RAQUET OR A BUD DRAFT FROM  RH BARRINGERS IN HAND.  SOFTLY, BETWEEN INTRODUCTIONS,  DR WHITE WHISPERED,  WE NEED YOU TO MANAGE THIS TOURNAMENT.  I ALMOST WENT BACK TO WILSON.

IT WAS A HAPPENING.   AND RAISED A TON OF $ FOR  TENNIS SCHOLARSHIPS AT  ELON.   J.POWELL WAS  THE $,   LACY HALL WAS THE PARTY, JERRY TOLLEY WAS THE  DESIGNER.

OVER MY EARLY YEARS  TWO THINGS THAT EMERGED WERE A DEEP FRIENDSHIP WITH JIM TONEY,  AND A REALIZATION THAT A MAJOR INCARCERATION WOULD LIKELY ACCOMPANY THE TSHF DOUBLES CLASSIC.

HOW CAN WE REDIRECT THE  EFFORTS AND POWER OF THIS GROUP?

THE JIMS,  POWELL AND TONEY AGREED  LETS FOCUS ON KIDS.

THUS BEGAN THE ALAMANCE JUNIOR TENNIS FOUNDATION.   AND A DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE OF JIM TONEY.

HE CALLED ME TOAMY.  WE NEED A PLAN.  YOU GOTTA HAVE A PLAN.  A GOAL.

WE ESTABLISHED THAT OVER DOZENS OF LUNCHES ( A VEGETABLE PLATE AT BAKATIAS), OFFICE MEETINGS, DISCUSSIONS AT MATCHES OR ON THE PHONE. 

OUR GOAL WAS HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS BETTERMENT.   HE BOUGHT MY SUGGESTION TO FOCUS ON TENNIS FACILITIES.    THERE IT WAS:   WE WON’T QUIT UNTIL ALL SIX HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE  GOOD COURTS. 

AS WE DEPARTED I REMEMBER THINKING,  “…IF I STAY HERE TEN YEARS I MAY SEE THIS COMPLETED.   IT TOOK ABOUT A YEAR.”

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THERE “TONEY SIGHTINGS”.    FROM JOE BARBOUR ( THE MAYOR ) , HAROLD OWEN ( RECREATION DIRECTOR ). AND  JOHN BOY WALTON ( DIRECTOR OF TENNIS ).

*COACH,  HE WAS WAITING IN MY OFFICE WHEN  I  GOT TO WORK.”

*HEY PARHAM, CAN YOU BACK YOUR BOY TONEY OFF A LITTLE?”

**TOM—I HEARD HE HAS MADE APPOINTMENTS WITH  THE SUPERINTENDENT,  ALL THE PRINCIPALS.    ADS, COACHES.   COMMUNITY LEADERS AND TENNIS PEOPLE.  GRANTS, MATCHING GIFTS.”

I SOON GOT A CALL FROM HAROLD AND JOE.    ESSENTIALLY THEY SAID  PARHAM YOU GOT THIS GOING.   WE MAY BUILD A CITY FACILITY AND WE WANT YOUR HELP.   SURE.   MORE  FUNDRAISING! 

ODDLY—NO MORE CALLS.    THEN I HEARD SOMEONE SAY IT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING  WAS HAPPENING DOWNTOWN.  OK—THE CALLS WILL COME SOON.  NOTHING.  3 WKS LATER I’LL RIDE DOWN THERE AND SEE IF THE GROUND IS READY.   BURLINGTON TENNIS CENTER.   NEARLY DONE. 

 I LOOKED OVER AND THERE WAS TONEY.  HE SMILED.

THAT LASTED A  DAY.   I WANT TO DO CUMMINGS HIGH SCHOOL NEXT.  I WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE KIDS HAVE TENNIS.

SO, WE WANDER AROUND THERE, WALKING OFF THE AREA, WHAT NEEDED MAJOR REPAIR.   NEXT, THE WALKERS LED  WESTERN ALAMANCE. TO SIX  BEAUTIFUL COURTS AND GREAT TEAMS.   

“NOTHING LIKE THAT GONNA HAPPEN AT SOUTHERN!”   OH  YEAH?  TELL THAT TO ELANOR JOHNSON AND A MRS BONNIE MARROW WHO WRITES A 50K CHECK FOR  THE PATRIOTS TENNIS COURTS.

JOHN WALTON AND I SHOOK OUR HEADS IN AMAZEMENT.   IT WAS FRIDAY –WE WERE THROUGH. 

MONDAY AM —JOHN BOY.  Coach—you ain’t gonna believe this.    WE NEED MIDDLE SCHOOLS TEAMS.   ALL COME TO BTC  4 MATCHES AT A TIME.  INSTRUCTION.    COACH THERE IS NO MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

THEY MADE  A GREAT PICTURE OF 85 KIDS AT MIDDLE SCHOOL TENNIS DAY.

 HOLD THAT THOUGHT AND BACK UP SOME 30 YEARS.   ROBERT AND TOM REGISTER HAVE BURST ON THE  JUNIOR TENNIS SCENE  IN A FLURY OF RACKET THROWS AND SALTY LANGUAGE.    AN ACKNOWLEDGED FINE  ADULT  PLAYER OFFERS TO PLAY WITH THEM.   ONE BROTHER SUGGESTS “…HAVE YOU NOTICED HE NEVERS SAYS ANYTHING BUT GOLLY PETE , TONEY,  WHEN HE MAKES AN ERROR?

“WISELY THEY AGREE TO ADAPT HIS POLICY.   ONLY “GOLLY PETE TONEY” FROM THE REGISTERS.   NOT ONLY THAT IT BECAME FAMILY VENACULAR USED IN BOTH ADULT HOMES.   SECOND NATURE.

FLASH BACK TO THAT OPENING MIDDLE SCHOOL DAY AS FATHER ROBERT TAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL DAUGHTER TO HER FIRST TENNIS DAY.    ROBERT WALKS ALEX UP TO THE COMMISIONER AND PROUDLY INTRODUCES ALEX TO MR. JIM TONEY.

AS THEY WALK AWAY ALEX ASKS HER DAD,  “…DADDY, IS THAT GOLLY PETE TONEY? 

THEY NAMED THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTSMANSHIP  AWARD THE “GOLLY PETE TONEY “ AWARD”.  ALEX REGISTER WON THE FIRST ONE.

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

********

“OFF SEASON” ?

“There is no off season”

********

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.”

********

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.”

********


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