The Beginning

At the end of the 2004 AAU season, parents with a similar vision decided it was time to create a girls basketball program in the Wilmington, Delaware area that was more competitive, and would give the girls recruiting exposure that was lacking. These parents all shared a common belief that many talented players in Delaware were leaving for other programs due to the lack of exposure to the local talented players.

After 10 Years of Success

In 2014, the vision expanded with a boys team. With this addition, the goal is to enhance boys and girls skill level through quality coaching, instruction, and the highest level of competition continues.

Sharpshooters Elite Basketball aims to ensure that the players are participating in the major tournaments, where they will receive the best exposure from college coaches. In balancing the demand of the student athlete, we will also concentrate on the character development and academic performance of our players.

Increased Focus with USA Basketball

On July 28, 2015, our organization was acknowledged as a USA Basketball Youth Certified Organization.  Now the expanded the focus to nurture and grow our youth of today can be done.  With this certification and the basketball curriculum, Sharpshooters Elite will be developing a more complete and elite level student athlete.  Each of our coaches, administrators, and certain volunteers have completed their individual certification as well.  The ultimate objective is to prepare players and teams to compete at the Olympic level.

What is USA Basketball?

USA Basketball was founded and organized in 1974.  Also known as the Amateur Basketball Association of the United States of America (ABAUSA).  The changing in the name to USA Basketball came in October 1989, after FIBA modified its rules to allow professional basketball players to take part in the international competitions.  USA Basketball then admitted the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an active member.

USA Basketball is based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado and is where our country’s future Olympians are identified, developed, trained, and selected for international play.

USA Basketball has five member categories:

1. Professional
2. Collegiate Scholastic (National Federation of High Schools)
3. Youth (Amateur Athletic Union)
4. Associate (National Basketball Coaches Association & Women’s Basketball Coaches Association )

How do basketball players have an opportunity to participate in the actual Olympics?

There is a pathway that every player takes that the United States Olympic Committee follows:

1. It starts with the 16/U Team plays in the FIBA Americas Championships held in every other odd year (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, etc…).
2. Then some players move to the 17/U World Championships which are held ever other even year (2012, 2014, 2016, etc…).
3. Players then have the opportunity to tryout for the U18/U19 World Championships, again, each held every other year (18s preceding the 19s).
4. From there, university student-athletes can participate in the World University Games.
   #Next step is the Pan American Games, which are held every four years (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, etc…).
5. Again, another step is the FIBA World Cup/World Championships are held every four years, where 24 teams compete for the title.
6. The last step is the Olympic Games for the USA National Team.