COMBINE HISTORY
In June of 2021, the first international basketball combine was held in the U.S. and headlined by former NBA Coaches, NBA Star Mike Bibby and ESPN National Recruiting Director, Paul Biancardi.
Receiving worldwide attention with nearly 400,000 views on twitch, the combine showcased future NBA Draft picks including 40 U.S. collegiate seniors and international prospects from eight countries.
Put on by Combine Founders Pete Mickeal, Euroleague legend and former NBA scout, and Ernie Cambo, Founder of Miami East Side Sports non-profit organization and Head Coach of Humacao in Puerto Rico, the NBA pre-draft event included NCAA Collegiate standouts Sterling Manley (University of North Carolina), Admon Gilder (Gonzaga), Devonte Green (University of
Indiana), and Canadian player Jordy Tshimangra amongst others.
With ESPN National Recruiting Director, Paul Biancardi, doing the play-by-play, former NBA star Mike Bibby attended the combine both as a mentor and coach to the players in Myrtle Beach. In addition, top former NBA coaches who worked with the players over the three days of the combine included Jim Boylen (former Head Coach for the Chicago Bulls), Bill Bayno (former Assistant Coach for the Indiana Pacers), and Ty Ellis (former Head Coach for the Stockton Kings G League) who were also a part of the selection
committee for the combine. During the three-day event, the combine held games between the groups, individual skill sets, dunk contests, three-point contests, and more.
In addition to the on-court action, the combine brought in mentors and financial advisors such as Morgan Stanley’s Kyle Boos to talk to the players about how to make the transition from a collegiate to professional career when they are drafted into the NBA. Aiming to bring all areas of life together, the combine provided a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the players.
MARQUEE NAMES:
PETE MICKEAL:
Pete Mickeal is an American former professional basketball player, that served as an NBA scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards. He was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round, with the 58th pick of the 2000 NBA draft. He currently serves as the president of Mickeal Sports Group (MSG) which specializes in marketing and placing professional basketball players worldwide. Mickeal, is considered one of the greatest American player’s to ever play in Europe. With 12 cup championships in the (ACB) Spain which is widely considered the second best league in the world. Along with a 2010 Euroleague Championship with Barcelona, he is a Junior college Hall of Famer with 2 national championships at Indian Hills.
Since his retirement, he has established and runs MVPete which brings NBA, G-League, and international scouts to combines to evaluate and sign undervalued professional basketball players. These combines are live streamed in over 100 countries and create an opportunity for players to be signed as a result of MVPete. His professional experience as a scout for the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves have contributed to him founding and presiding over the Tampa Bay Pro Invitational which beneficially serves the United States’ top sixty college seniors and a select few international. prospects. The Invitational is open to all international clubs to scout and sign talent while simultaneously. allowing these players to be seen by all thirty NBA teams prior to the NBA draft.
ERNIE CAMBO:
Ernie Cambo is the Founder of Miami East Side Sports (MESS) a Non-Profit Organization located in Miami, Florida, that built a regulation NBA Basketball Court along with a personal training facility to help youth athletes advance to college on scholarships. He is a host of pre-draft events to help collegiate athletes prepare and audition for the NBA, hosts and funds professional development leagues that uses Livestream HD games to help place athletes in overseas leagues, LEB and BBL. Ernie is also the owner of Humacao in Puerto Rico and has coached over 400 Amateur Games. In addition, Ernie is the Principal of CPF Investment Group, Inc., and the founder of a boutique Miami, Florida, investment group with interests in real estate and aviation. His responsibilities include finance, legal, oversee construction and marketing of various projects with over $1.5BB in transaction experience.