(UPDATE: Story was picked up Nationally by NBC, FOX, and CBS)
Today we’d like to introduce you to The Pro Basketball Association Commissioner Chris Terrell.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Almost 20 years ago I was a Men’s College Basketball Coach and a local Semi-Pro team called the Dallas Diesel. They asked if I would be interested in working with their team. I became the Head Coach and we played against a team in the USBL called the Brevard Blue Ducks in Florida. I used the full game video and box scores from two games to create a website showing the players and the games along with their profiles or where they had played collegiately to help secure a position to become a Head Coach in the Mexican Pro League of CIBACOPA where three of the players from that team came with me to play professionally.
Over the next 16 years, I’ve been blessed to be able to coach at the highest levels including the top pro league in China (CBA) as well as 2 years in FIBA Europe, 7 years in Latin American Pro leagues, NBL Canada, and many of the US based domestic minor leagues such as NBA D-League (now the G-League) ABA finalist, deputy commissioner of the World Basketball Association, MBL, TBL, and been a writer for the Eurobasket network for 16 years.
I credit the incredible men that have played for me and the managers and coaching staffs that helped us to many league awards, all-star games, team accomplishments and recognition throughout the years. To God be all the glory.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Working my way up one season at a time and one team at a time over many years took a lot of work and a lot of support from my family. There were years of development and financially growing in the sport at the professional level abroad that took sacrifice and commitment.
There are other careers that could of been more financially rewarding, but I stuck with it and had my wife’s support, raising two children when I was in another Country for some seasons that can extend to nine months of a year. Hundreds of phone calls and messages and husband and Father Time on Skype. It wasn’t always fun and games. The packed arenas, game results, and media notoriety pales in compassion to the solitude of being on the road for months at a time, year after year, for as long as I did it. But it was a blessing and something I’ll never forget the people I met and know and experiences I had along the way.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I’m now the Commissioner of the Pro Basketball Association. It’s a Spring-Summer US Domestic Minor League. I’m surrounded by people that understand the business of basketball and we’ve modeled ourselves after the A-AA levels of minor league baseball in that there are professional standards, practices, and requirements to be a part of the association for teams that ensure every step is taken to highlight the playing and coaching abilities of those in our league.
We keep complete box scores from every game attached to a full game video where the players on each roster are displayed and linked to their individual player profiles. We’re working with Sportspress Pro and the Eurobasket network to display that data and video to over 76 Countries around the World so that the players and coaches in the league have an opportunity to use their experience in the PBA to move up to some of the higher levels of professional basketball Globally. This along with professionalism, being organized in our business practices, and working to make a difference in the communities we serve is what makes the PBA different.
The time of year we play is key as well. By April most Pro Basketball players are returning from Overseas and looking for an opportunity that will highlight their abilities leading up to the NBA Summer Leagues, G-League workouts, and then the signing period to go back overseas in the Fall.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Have a plan and work the plan. If you have an end goal of where you want to get to professionally then think about that goal and then plan out the hundreds of steps that it takes to get there. Map each one of those steps back to where you are today. Write it down. Be willing to be held accountable to your road map to success and challenge yourself on a regular basis to see that you’re checking off each step of the ladder along the way.
It takes hard work. Sacrifice. A strong family unit behind you and a strong faith that you will accomplish your goals if you are relentless and persistent and don’t give up!
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success is being secure in your faith, stable in your home, and respected by your peers. If someone has that and puts the work in, good things are sure to manifest themselves in life.
What’s next for you?
We’re looking to expand the Pro Basketball Association to the continuous 48 States and to be widely considered as the top Spring-Summer Pro Basketball League in the United States.
A big part of the mission statement for the Pro Basketball Association is to be that A-AA level of pro basketball that becomes a factory of high level players and coaches for opportunities professionally abroad but also a feeder program to the NBA G-League and the NBA.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more.
Email: [email protected] is the best way to contact me for more information. You can also add us on Facebook and Instagram @probasketballassociation or on the web at www.pbaplayers.com
If you want Pro You want the PBA
