SEAN KILMARTIN LEADS TEAM USA SELECT BASKETBALL

Any basketball conversation in South Charlotte is bound to include the name Sean Kilmartin.  The longtime Charlotte resident has been involved in every aspect of the game of basketball.  Kilmartin has been on quite a basketball journey.  After a successful high school career in the Triad area, Kilmartin played basketball for Appalachian State University.  Following his time as a Mountaineer, Kilmartin played basketball overseas before returning home to North Carolina to start a family with his wife Jane.  When not at work with his financial planning and investment business, R.M. Stark Co., Sean can be found coaching basketball in gyms across South Charlotte.  Sean works with his two boys Ryan and Alex on various teams, but also lends a hand to many other teams and players.

In addition to his youth coaching, Sean is a partner in Team USA Select Basketball.  The organization was formed to assist American basketball players find professional opportunities internationally. The origins of Team USA select basketball trace back to the 1980’s where college teammates; Kilmartin and David Lawrence played internationally in Europe. Acknowledging then, the fantastic opportunity afforded them, they decided to create this type of opportunity for other athletes. With the assistance of Nicholas Melissaris and Mike Palladino, retired international basketball players, the team creates unique opportunities for elite basketball players.

 Team USA Select Basketball is composed of athletes that have completed their college / NCAA eligibility and are looking for professional contracts internationally. Through a series of "tryout" camps, we carefully evaluate players from all backgrounds. These players have come from varied programs such as perennial powers Duke and Wake Forest, top programs like Georgia, Tennessee and Temple and schools like Appalachian State, James Madison, Winston-Salem State and NC Central . Smaller programs such as Belmont Abbey College, Virginia Union, NC Wesleyan to Junior Colleges and basketball players that have not had the opportunity to play college at the level.

Over 60 of these players gathered at the Dowd YMCA in mid-July attempting to earn a spot on the team.  For the lucky few making the team, they will travel overseas on a three week playing tour, hoping to catch the eyes of various basketball scouts.

“We don’t make any promises other than to give the guys the best opportunity possible to continue to play the game they love,” said Kilmartin. “The guys have to be in shape and we play a lot of games in a short amount of time.  If they work hard and show the skills the teams are looking for they can be paid to play.”

Basketball is a dynamic game and folks like Sean Kilmartin are strong contributors to the sport.  Whether he is helping a nine year old learn to play defense or helping a college graduate find one more opportunity to play basketball, Sean always does his part to advance the game.  For more information on Team USA Select, please visit www.usaselectbasketball.com