2021 Draft Candidate Combine
The 2021 Draft Candidate Combine was held in-canon between August 26-30, 2021 in the Crawdad Stadium facilities near Biloxi, Mississippi. Out of canon, the events were interspersed in over a week's worth of comments, interactions, and introductions of new FBA characters.
Every FBA draft candidate accepted to the 2021 FBA Draft was expected to attend and participate unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Deputy Commissioner's Introduction
Welcome all athletes to the home of the 2020-21 FBA Champs! Over the next five days each of you will have a chance to show off your talent and skills to scouts and General Managers around the league. You will be tested on a multitude of measurables including speed, strength, agility, shooting, and much more. Time will be set aside for interviews with both the Press and General Managers so make sure you sign up and keep track of all your engagements during the day.
This time will also give you a chance to meet the athletes who will make up your draft class. This is a great opportunity to start developing chemistry with players that might play on the very same team as you, or perhaps find a rival that will push you too greater heights as you challenge each other to be better.
The league has rented out multiple floors of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and each athlete has been accommodated in a room. Outside of the designated events athletes are free to explore Biloxi; but expect to be held to the same professional expectations we hold all FBA athletes to. This includes attending all skill trials at their designated time; tardy athletes will not be allowed to participate. Private practice courts are also available to athletes anytime they are not scheduled to participate in events or trials.
These next five days could very well be the difference come Draft Day, so make sure you take full advantage of the events and interviews! Below you will find a daily schedule, and you may sign up for any available interview slots here.
Best of luck!
Raymond Seaver, FBA Deputy Commissioner
Schedule
Day One: August 26th, 2021
- Athlete registration
- Event inauguration (foreword FBA Commissioner Hugo Livingstone)
- Reception dinner at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Dining Room (Louisiana/MS style seafood themed)
Day Two: August 27th, 2021
- Physical Examination (height, weight, wingspan, general health assessment)
- Half-court scrimmages and drills at Crawdad Stadium Outdoor Practice Courts
- One-on-one meetings with GMs
- Draftee Skills Challenge: Speed Trials (3⁄4 Court Sprint)
- Draftee Skills Challenge: Strength Trials (185 lb Bench Press)
- Financial Planning Seminar
- Optional Evening Event: Crittenden Distillery - Tour a local whisky distillery.
Day Three: August 28th, 2021
- Half-court scrimmages and drills at Crawdad Stadium Outdoor Practice Courts
- One-on-one meetings with GMs
- Press Interviews in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Meeting Spaces
- Draftee Skills Challenge: Vertical Jump (Maximum and No-Step Standing)
- Social Media Seminar
- Optional Evening Event: Big Play Entertainment Center at the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Casino - Arcade, bowling alley, and laser tag.
Day Four: August 29th, 2021
- Full-court scrimmages and drills at Crawdad Stadium Outdoor Practice Courts
- One-on-one meetings with GMs
- Press Interviews in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Meeting Spaces
- Draftee Skills Challenge: Agility Trials (Lane Agility and Shuttle Run)
- Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence Seminar
- Optional Evening Event: Biloxi Harbor Cruise - Guided tour by boat along Biloxi's waterfront.
Day Five: August 30th, 2021
- Excursion to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center
- One-on-one meetings with GMs
- Press Interviews
- Optional Evening Event: Private Exhibition game for an audience of detainees.
- Draftee Skills Challenge: Shooting Trials (Stationary and Non-Stationary)
- Draftee Skills Challenge: Rebounding Trials (Defensive and Offensive)
- Farewell dinner at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Dining Room