FreeGame July 2026

July 31, 2026

FreeGame Mgmt -- Looking Back at July

July was a month of tying up loose ends from early summer and preparing for the season ahead. As you know, the basketball calendar never really slows down. Between final contract signings lingering from the spring, NBA Summer League, AAU National Championships and WNBA All-Star weekend, July served as another reminder that success in this industry is built long before opening night.

On the Road

NBA Summer League remains one of my favorite weeks of the year. Every corner of Las Vegas is filled with coaches, front office executives, agents, scouts, and players. Over the last few years, it's also evolved into much more than just basketball, with brands, media companies, startups, and technology all becoming a bigger part of the week. It's an incredible opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn from some of the best minds in basketball, and continue expanding our network.

Summer League flows directly into the heart of the grassroots calendar. For me personally, this was the first year I left Las Vegas early to attend the AAU National Championships. As FreeGame continues to expand its focus on high school recruiting, NIL, and long term athlete development, being on the grassroots circuit has become an even bigger priority for our team.

Grassroots basketball has become more fragmented than ever. With premier events taking place simultaneously across the Nike EYBL, Adidas 3SSB, Under Armour, Puma, Made Hoops, and other circuits, it's impossible to be everywhere at once. This year I spent the weekend in Rock Hill at the Adidas 3SSB Championships with Luke, one of our summer interns. It was a great chance for him to experience the recruiting trail firsthand and see how much of this business is built through relationships, preparation, and being present.

These events aren't just about evaluating talent. They're about getting to know the people behind the players. Spending time with athletes, families, coaches, and scouts continues to reinforce that relationships remain at the center of the recruiting process.

The month wrapped up with part of our team attending WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Similar to NBA Summer League, the weekend brought together grassroots basketball, networking events, and leaders from across the women's basketball landscape. Tyler, Andre, and Ari did a fantastic job representing FreeGame as we continue building momentum on the women's side. There are several exciting initiatives in the works, can't wait to share more!

Landscape Education

The NCAA's new 5 in 5 eligibility model continues to generate discussion across the country, the proposed College Sports Act has gained some momentum in Washington, and new lawsuits seeking additional eligibility for 2026 student athletes have already been filed. It's a reminder that staying informed has never been more important.

We also officially launched FreeGame Prep Office Hours, an exclusive resource available to FreeGame athletes and families. It's another way we're investing in our clients by creating dedicated time to answer questions and help athletes navigate NIL, build their brand, strategize content and more.

I can't stress enough how important it is to surround yourself with people who live and breathe this industry every single day. The landscape changes too quickly to navigate it alone. Education is one of the biggest competitive advantages an athlete can have.

A Few Other FreeGame Highlights

• Philipe Ndong climbed into the national rankings as a Top 100 player in the class of 2027

• We launched our first monthly FreeGame Prep Office Hours

• Toyo Kano has been added to the roster for Japan's national team playing in the 2026 Asian Games

• We announced a new event, COURT LEVEL, one of our Beyond the Game experiences!

  • This event is built around the US Open in NYC this August! Consider this your invite.

  • We're bringing together athletes, executives, founders, investors, and leaders for a few days of networking, competition and great conversations. Come for the connections... or to challenge me on the padel court. 👀🎾

FreeGame Merch Storefront

The FreeGame Merch store is heating up! If you want to rep the brand, check out the store below.

• discount code at checkout: KEVINTARCA

Looking Ahead

August has always been a unique month in the basketball calendar. For many professional players, it's one last opportunity to recharge and spend time with family and friends before reporting to training camp. I'll be attempting to do the same, although most of you know I don't do a great job of completely logging off! I've got a few trips on the calendar in August, but I'm sure I'll find a way to squeeze in a meeting or two along the way.

This time of the year is probably the most important planning window of the year. Behind the scenes, we're already preparing for the upcoming college & international seasons, refining our strategy and getting ready for another season.

The countdown is officially on... 94 days until college basketball tips off.

We'll be ready.

Kevin Tarca

Director of Basketball Strategy

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If you're new here, I am the Director of Basketball Strategy here at FreeGame Management. We sit at the intersection of sports, culture, and commerce, creating opportunities for athletes at every stage.

Our mission is simple: help you win before, during, and after your playing career.

Follow along as we continue to grow an athlete-first organization, by players, for players.