• Physical– height, wingspan, positional strength
• Athletic– Quickness, agility, jump, endurance (fitness)
• 6 Point Skill Package – Dribble, Pass, Defend, Rebound and Shooting under pressure and when it matters most. & Basketball IQ – “Feel” for the game
• Understands National Style of Play – adaption/versatility
• Parents – Has parents who are supportive of the Mainland Eagles Academy
• Culture –Professional Behaviour on & off the court; Great Ambassador
• Resilience – ability to handle adversity; embraces unfairness
• Work Ethic– Committed to getting better

Selection considerations:

1. Physical qualities: Height and size, the international athlete must have good size to compete at international tournaments. Speed is paramount. Foot-speed and quickness can cause opponents to play conservatively and forces them to adjust strategies. It also allows players to take greater risks. The other essential physical quality is strength. Strength underpins explosive power and is translated into a ‘physical presence’ providing acceleration, agility, and balance.
2. Sport Specific Skill: Highly refined fundamental skills are sought after. Particularly specific skills that will enable the team to be better-rounded and more able to cope with conditions at the International level. Shooting, passing dribbling, rebounding and defensive skills of a superior level are a vital ingredient in the development of confidence and assertiveness of the athlete and therefore the team.
3. Mental strength: Mental strength encompasses a range of attributes which go into a player’s ability to reproduce their skills in the cauldron of competition, this is an ‘elite mentality’. Having composure, dealing with adversity and organising and disciplining yourself to be properly prepared are the qualities which I define as an elite mentality. We want athletes who can overcome adversity, be it in defeat, injury or illness, non-selection, poor form, personal problems.
4. Flexibility and versatility: Players should look at versatility as an asset that can make them indispensable to the team. ‘bigs’ who can play and defend on the perimeter, ‘smalls’ who can take their man inside can value add to the team. The ability of all players to run the floor is essential. Without flexibility, teams are too predictable and cannot cope with new and different problems or replace absent, out of form or injured players. However we must never overlook the athlete that has position-specific skills, this is a valued commodity.
5. Team orientation: Complex integrated teams require co-operative, co-ordinated actions both continually and spontaneously. For the athlete their primary goal must be the success of the team, they must have a commitment to the co-operative endeavour of their team. Mutual respect, absence of blame and affection are the characteristics of a ‘we’ team. These are skills that can be developed. However, we want players who will fit within the group because the influence is beneficial and positive. That they are able to contribute to the team dynamic that augments performance is critical.