FreeGame June 2026

June 30, 2026

FreeGame Mgmt -- Looking Back at June

June was a month of momentum. As summer officially got underway, our team found ourselves balancing recruiting, education, travel, and company growth. Between official visits, new partnerships, NCAA rule changes, and preparing athletes for the months ahead, June served as another reminder that this industry never really slows down.

One thing remains constant: the landscape continues to evolve, and our responsibility is to evolve with it.

On the Road

June included plenty of additional stops across the country as we continued supporting athletes through one of the busiest recruiting periods of the year.

One of the highlights was traveling to Cedar City, Utah, where DeZhon Hall took his official visit to Southern Utah University. After building a strong relationship with the coaching staff throughout the process, DeZhon made his commitment official. Congratulations to DeZhon and his family as he begins the next chapter of his basketball journey.

Later in the month, I spent a few days in Milwaukee with Philipe Ndong during his official visit to Marquette University. It was a cool full-circle moment for me, as one of my very first clients, CJ Rivers, is now on staff as an assistant coach under Coach Shaka Smart. It was another great opportunity for Philipe and his family to gather information and experience one of the premier programs in college basketball. As more high-major programs continue to recognize the talent and upside he possesses, his recruitment is really beginning to gain momentum. I'm excited to play a small part in helping him and his family navigate the process.

Official visits are exciting, but they're also reminders that the recruiting process is about much more than facilities and photo shoots. The best decisions are made by gathering information, asking difficult questions, and finding the right long-term fit.

Landscape Education

The biggest story across college athletics this month wasn't tied to a commitment. It was another significant NCAA rule change. The newly adopted "5-in-5" eligibility model fundamentally changes how athletes and families should think about eligibility, redshirts, junior college, prep school, and long-term planning. While the rule itself is relatively simple, the ripple effects will be felt for years.

I put together a full breakdown explaining what changed, who it impacts, and why it matters. Link below:

If there's one takeaway from the article, it's this: understanding the rules have never been more important. Every year the landscape becomes more complex, making it increasingly valuable to surround yourself with people who stay on top of these changes and understand how they impact your individual situation.

A Few FreeGame Highlights

• DeZhon Hall committed to Southern Utah University

• We welcomed Demi Holman (class of 2029) to the FreeGame WBB family

• We officially launched FreeGame Diamond, expanding our representation into baseball and softball

• Ari Love hosted Queens Court, bringing together 30+ women athletes, creatives, and business leaders

• JP Ndong attended Holger Geschwindner's renowned basketball camp in Germany

• Boden Kapke is hitting the ground running with his new squad at Nebraska

• Josh and Tre officially moved into Wisconsin as they prepare for the upcoming season

• Djimon Henson mixed some 1-on-1 competition into his summer training and earned himself a W

• Will Garlock and Zach Kinzinger joined the Bader Connect podcast to preview the season ahead

• Toyo Kano joined the Japanese National Team training camp to prepare for a FIBA World Cup Qualifying Round later this week, with the ultimate goal being the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles!

FreeGame Merch Storefront

We officially launched the FreeGame Merch store!

If you've seen me in person lately, you've probably noticed I am almost always rocking the FreeGame quarter zip or the No. 1 hat. I'd love to hand everyone one for free, but unfortunately money doesn't grow on trees. 😂

But what I can do for now is give you 10% off. So if you want to rep the brand, check out the store below.

• discount code at checkout: KEVINTARCA

Looking Ahead

Hard to believe we are entering July, but here we are. July is one of my favorite stretches of the basketball calendar.

NBA Summer League tips off next week in Las Vegas, immediately followed by NBA Academy games and AAU championships. It's an opportunity to continue building relationships, evaluating talent, and helping our athletes prepare for what's next.

The exciting part is thinking about where we'll be at this time next year...

Kevin Tarca

Director of Basketball Strategy

---

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.