Undiscovered Showcase

The idea was straight-forward: put the city’s best unsigned seniors together in a gym for two days of games, and give college coaches from across the country an opportunity to evaluate them and offer scholarships. In 2016, NBA star and Chicago native Evan Turner lent his experience and resources to help grow the event, giving kids a chance not only to play ball for a day, but the opportunity to attend college for free and build a successful life. In the years that have followed, the annual showcase has helped more than 600 young men find pathways to junior colleges and four-year schools at the DI, DII, and NAIA levels. Last year alone, the showcase hosted 270 high school seniors and juco sophomores, plus 130 coaches from 95 colleges. A total of 52 participants ended up accepting offers from schools that were in attendance, equal to $2.3 million in scholarships. Playing Division-I basketball is not the only way to create a better life and more promising future through this game that we love. We’ve seen showcase alumni go on to earn degrees from prestigious colleges and universities all over the world. Many of these players return to Chicago after graduation to help rebuild the neighborhoods that raised them. Showcase participants have become influential coaches, trainers, teachers, mentors, and community activists. We take as much pride in their careers as we do in our NBA and other professional alum. Our event is truly one-of-a-kind, and wouldn’t be possible without Evan’s generosity, Daniel’s vision, the hard work and commitment of our original SwagAir team, and the continued support of the Chicago basketball community. What was once a small, local event has grown into the Undiscovered Showcase.which promises to help thousands of athletes in Chicago, across America, even around the world. Now under the guidance of Brandon Goble, JUCO Advocate and Verbal Commits, the showcase is positioned to continue expanding for another decade and beyond.