Amstelveen – Jor van Beek (20) started playing basketball at the age of 13 at BV Aalsmeer. A few years later, he moved to Millennium Basketball Club Amstelveen (MBCA) as he wanted to take his basketball to the next level. Successfully. Last year he was scouted by KingsTalent and moved to America to pursue his American dream.
‘I didn’t like sports, but my parents made me do something,’ laughs Jore. ‘After football, cross-cycling and judo, it eventually became basketball. When I was 13 years old, I shot big, and my father came with an advertisement for the basketball club Aalsmeer. I joined an apprenticeship and from the first moment I thought: This is it!’
in depth
‘After two training sessions I was already cleared to play a match with the U14s. I just don’t know what to do. I don’t know the rules, I don’t know what everyone wants from me. Yeah, it was very clumsy,” he laughs. Still, he’s grateful he was thrown in at the deep end: ‘After a few games I knew a damn thing. It had to be there to continue the rest.’
Development
Zor was undaunted. Despite his ignorance, he was eager to learn and took the game and concepts very seriously. In a short span of time he made a huge development. ‘P.V. I kept hearing that I had a lot of potential at Alsmere, which I thought was a great compliment that motivated me even more. Especially since those compliments came from people, I took care of myself.
MPCA
Soon Jore was training with the U18 team at the age of 14. In the three seasons that followed, Zor could call himself a champion. First two years with U18 and third season with U22. After playing basketball at BV Aalsmeer for several years, Jor moves to Millennium Basketball Club Amstelveen (MBCA). ‘P.V. I had the impression that I had taken away everything there was to learn from Alsmere. It’s time to take basketball to the next level. I can play at national level in MBCA. After one tryout, Jore was allowed to play at national level in the second division U18. “Yeah, that’s ridiculous,” he says. Played with MBCA for a few years. After U18 he moved to U22 where he was also allowed to play at national level. After some time he got involved with King’s Talent.
The King’s Talent
KingsTalent mediates between student athletes and US academic institutions seeking talent. In this way, young people can combine studies and sports in America. Jore says he’s always been interested in America, and now basketball is the biggest place. “I suddenly realized that I could combine my passion for America and playing basketball, and that created that American dream. I created a player profile with my grade lists and all my basketball-related stats. KingsTalent sent it to contacts. Eventually I chose between different schools, and I ended up at Kean University. I went. That’s what I had in mind.’
Kean University
In August 2022, Zor left for America and the great adventure began. ‘Initially I was treated well and treated like a prince. I met a lot of people and felt completely at home. Since you don’t have to choose a first year course in America, I was undecided and took general courses. It was chosen very randomly because it had to fit around the basketball grid. I was there to play basketball and the experience and courses were a nice bonus.
adventure
Unfortunately, his adventure there did not go as expected. ‘When you sign with a school like that, you’re sure of your place in the team. But when I got there suddenly there were 50 people. No one is sure about getting a place in the team. Unfortunately, it has not been fairly discussed. In the end I lost out to third and fourth year students who already had a lot of experience there. 17 people were allowed to participate in a team; I was in the last 19 and couldn’t make it. I was still able to train during the semester, and if teammates got injured, I could fill in. But that too was an empty promise. Someone in my position tore his meniscus and I was able to come in and that didn’t happen. I was busy going back to the Netherlands because you have to make a decision at some point. However, I couldn’t give up on that American dream.’
New list
On his own initiative, Jore emailed various US schools. Finally, he got an offer from Pratt Institute. “When I was allowed to come along, I played well. Then I thought: Look, I’m really in my place at this level.’ Jore has been offered a place in the team and could start in September. He is now back working in the Netherlands to save time and save time. In the meantime, he is playing for the MBCA. To be in good shape at the start, but now he has a real chance to play in the Premier League next year with the U22 team.
selection
The moment we talk to Jore, he has to make a decision. Will he go back to America to start at Broad Institute, or stay with MBCA and take the opportunity? ‘It’s twofold: I’m in a serious relationship and I want to start studying Dutch. Costs are high in US, then I will go again for the experience. Am I going to make that smart choice and stay in the Netherlands or am I listening to that childhood dream?’
Netherlands
Will get an answer from Jore on Friday. He has decided to stay in the Netherlands and continue playing in the MBCA. A little later he heard that he would officially participate in the Eredivisie with the U22 team. ‘It gives me great peace. I’m going to concentrate on a study and in the meantime I can go to the rooms at work. But despite the empty promises at Kean University, it was an experience to remember. How many people can now say they were scouted by an American college team? Seven years ago B.V. Seeing how I started at Alsmere and where I am now is an achievement I am very proud of.
This article previously appeared in the July/August edition of AmstelveenZ magazine, number 80.
