The players are not the only ones who are being scouted at this week’s NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament in Danville. JB Caldwell of New York is in town scouting referees. He is a Referee Scouting Advisor for the National Basketball Association.
‘’We’re just here trying to find talent,’’ Caldwell told VermilionCountyFirst.com News. He added ‘’there are four or five prospects’’ working the games at Danville Area Community College.
This is the fourth year that Caldwell has worked with the NBA after an earlier career of 25 years in higher education. ‘’We try to have a presence at the national tournaments,’’ says Caldwell.
If a prospect is selected to possibly someday become an NBA ref, Caldwell says they are invited to a training and development camp. ‘’It’s very challenging and the expectations are high,’’ added Caldwell. But he says the prospects do not pay to attend the camp.
And Caldwell says watching the games in Danville is very productive when it comes to scouting the refs because the ‘’teams are all playing for high stakes.’’
Caldwell says he was very impressed the first year he came to the NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament in 2014.
He has been here every year since – except one – closely watching those who wear the black and white striped shirts. And Caldwell says every year he has found someone in Danville who is worthy of entering the NBA’s training and development program.
In addition to Caldwell scouting referees, there are expected to be more than 100 coaches and scouts from four year colleges and universities at the games in Danville this week watching the players.
