Multiple former players pass latest FIBA-Licensed Agents Test at FIBA HQ

MIES (Switzerland) - A number of former players were among a 26-strong field of applicants who became qualified FIBA-Licensed Agents after passing the required steps and test to confirm their new status. 

There are now nearly 700 certified FIBA Agents across the globe, all coming from varied backgrounds. The latest edition of participants, which was made up of 19 different nationalities and as many as 13 retired players, visited the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Switzerland this week. 

Becoming a FIBA Agent continues to be an important role within the sport, which is strongly connected to FIBA's strategic objectives.  Meanwhile, the presence of former player Stephany Skrba also touches on a specific strategic priority, which is 'Women in Basketball'.

A former national team player with Canada who represented her country at both youth and senior level, as well as stepping out at club level in both EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women, Skrba is delighted to be making the career change.

She explained: "I realize it's something that I have kind of done naturally over the years. I have had a lot of players ask me what my experiences have been like and if I can connect them with teams. I have even had a lot of coaches ask me for players.

"Then seeing a lot of my peers having not-so-positive experiences playing basketball professionally, I just felt a call or need to have to get over to this side of the sport and have women having more positive experiences playing basketball overseas. I think it is possible and I think more women should come and play and have great experiences.

"Midway through my career people had started to ask me what I would do after it and because I was still playing I wasn't thinking a lot about it," continued Skrba.

"But I remember one time I said to a Club President in Serbia that one day I might become an agent -we'll see. So for a while I played around with it and then through the later years I realized this is what I want to do."

Stephany Skrba (13) played both EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women in her  international career 

Skrba also confessed that as well as the main business of passing the test itself, she was thrilled to be able to visit FIBA's Headquarters. 

"I absolutely love it. I had never been here before and basketball is my passion obviously so when I walked into here, I just started getting really excited," she enthused.  

Meanwhile, Rio 2016 Olympian Rok Stipcevic, who also played for Croatia at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and also multiple FIBA EuroBasket tournaments, was one of those who passed the test. 

With two decades of experience as a player to call upon, including participating in the Basketball Champions League at Club level, Stipcevic is eager to now channel his love of the sport into a new area of interest. 

He said: "I think it is natural to want to remain in basketball and I missed having that guy (agent) when I was young giving me good advice and being by my side. I didn't have it and I know how much I missed it.

"I want to now be able to explain those things to especially those younger players that at this moment they might not be able to see or to know. I just love basketball and it is always somewhere that I know I can give my best.

"During my career when I was playing I first thought I would be a coach, then an individual coach, then a President or a Sporting Director," added Stipcevic.

"It was in my early 30's that I started thinking more about being an agent. Also because I have a lot of basketball friends not just around Europe, but around the world, these connections also make becoming an agent more logical."

Rok Stipcevic at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016

He was also quick to pay tribute to his surroundings at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball and stated: "It's great and I am happy to see it looking like this.

"I think everyone who loves basketball has to come here to see this and to get some knowledge because basketball is not just about today. Basketball was played before us and will also be played after us."

Similarly, Walid El Domiati, who represented Lebanon for an impressive 17 years, culminating in stepping out for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002 in Indianapolis, USA  was also pleased to have another career route to pursue.

Walid El Domiati (4), played at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2002

He explained: "After I retired from basketball, I opened my own business. It was different from basketball and it wasn't as appetizing. 

"I still have a passion for basketball and knowledge and I also commentated a lot on games. And now I feel I want to deal more with the players and the clubs.

"I also know that the players look up to me a little bit and there is a lot of potential in being an agent - not only making deals but of course, taking care of the players, their careers and also what they do after they stop playing basketball. This part is not something all agents choose to do."

Many of those who have taken the FIBA Licensed-AgentsTest go on to take a leading role in providing career and transfer guidance while also safeguarding players' image rights and much more.

For more information about FIBA Agents, click here. 

FIBA