ShotTracker benchmark: KC tech gets waiver to be used courtside by coaches at Hall of Fame Classic
October 9, 2018 | Austin Barnes
A score in the basket of history, Merriam-based ShotTracker has landed another monumental first, the company announced Tuesday, further positioning it as a leader in the Kansas City tech space.
“ShotTracker is proud to drive this next stage of growth in college basketball,” Davyeon Ross, co-founder and COO said of the company’s latest NCAA collaboration that will see coaches using ShotTracker technology from the bench — a first for the sport that had previously barred coaches from using tech on the court.
“The power and applications of this technology will have a significant impact on college basketball,” said Ross, a serial entrepreneur and investor in Kansas City’s startup community.
ShotTracker technology will make its debut at the NCAA Hall of Fame Classic in November, allowing coaches from Missouri State, Nebraska, Texas Tech and USC to access live stats and analytics captured by on-court and player worn sensors, beamed straight to iPads, according to the company.
Allowing tech on the court is a momentous stride for the sport of basketball, said David Stern, NBA Commissioner Emeritus and investor in ShotTracker.
In August, the company announced the Hall of Fame Classic would outfit players and the Sprint Center in Kansas City with ShotTracker technology. The company also said it would use augmented reality to roll out improvements to its fan app and employ new technology for broadcasters like ESPN — who will carry the tournament — to better analyze and call games.
Despite the increased momentum and growing exposure, Ross has said he will never stop viewing ShotTracker as a startup. Partnerships with the NCAA are just the beginning of the company’s commitment to innovating the sport of basketball, he said.
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Vintage WiFi mashup: Designer converts old items into bluetooth speakers at Troost T-shirt shop
Rick Kloog’s T-shirt shop on Troost resonates with the sound of side hustles — combining the former music producer’s previously untapped talents for a Vintage WiFi effect. The “funky little vintage store” blends original Kansas City-designed shirts, and miscellaneous items — most of which Kloog converts into bluetooth speakers — as well as other original…
Firebrand Fein: KC needs more audacious startups, ‘crazy ideas’ to attract investors
Kansas City companies need to buck the Midwestern, risk-averse mindset and sell audacious plans to investors, said John Fein. “I would just love to see more crazy ideas, more big game type ideas,” said Fein, founder and managing partner at Firebrand Ventures. “We invest when [the startup] starts to generate revenue, so they have to…
StartupGrowKC bootcamp: Building smart and intentional teams alongside ECJC
Founders can expect to emerge from the Enterprise Center in Johnson County’s StartupGrowKC bootcamp series with greater knowledge of the skills needed to grow their business, said Kathryn Golden. “[Founders will see] the fuller life cycle of what they will need to consider [to be successful],” said Golden, programs manager at ECJC, a nonprofit organization…
Startup leader hears calling in Kauffman legacy, selected to join Kauffman Foundation trustees
Money alone won’t truly satisfy an entrepreneur, nor will it build a stronger Kansas City, said Matt Condon — lessons learned from the late Ewing Kauffman. “Having a successful company isn’t good enough,” said Condon, a veteran startup leader who recently completed a year as chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “Impacting…