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
Video: Check out 8 elevator pitches from this year’s Sprint Accelerator companies
With a cohort of companies ranging from artificial intelligence to organic ice cream sandwiches, Sprint Accelerator demonstrates its strength by creating an environment where founders and their teams can learn and develop alongside disparate forms of innovation, Doug Dresslaer said. “They’ve all started realizing they can work together — they’re all on the same side,”…
KCultivator: Kemet Coleman urges KC to think progressively, says music kept him alive
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space. From the Royals to slow jams with Mayor Sly James, Kansas City serves as an inspirational force in Kemet…
Former Walmart exec, VC founder who was second attorney for Google joining Kauffman trustees
Editor’s note: Startland News, in its capacity as a nonprofit digital magazine, is financially supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Two high-powered women are expected to bring diverse business, investment and education backgrounds to the table of one of Kansas City’s leading entrepreneurship engines. Susan Chambers, a five-time “50 Most Powerful Women in Business”…
With 400 teams and counting, coaches and founders agree: Just Play Solutions is a ‘no-brainer’
One of Kansas City’s fastest-growing sports-fitness startups, Just Play Solutions, posted a 225-percent revenue increase headed into 2018, its co-founder said. “That type of growth just doesn’t happen all the time,” said Austin Barone. Just Play’s mobile and web app platform specializes in workflow management for football, basketball and — most recently — lacrosse coaches.…