The first PlaySight SmartCourt that was installed for basketball came at the Golden State Warriors’ practice facility — the ultimate laboratory for high-level hoops.
The Israeli startup enables the Warriors to use its multi-angle, HD camera system to efficiently track practices and the data that comes from it in real-time. The time saved can be better spent on winning another NBA championship.
“PlaySight has been a valuable tool for our coaches and basketball operations staff,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said in a testimonial. “The device has the ability to automatically record practices from many different angles, which enables our entire staff — including our video room staff — to assist with on-court practices and other court related activities. It simply allows for better efficiency in this area and that is critical for our staff.”
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And now, the SmartCourt system that had been better known for the roughly 500 in existence for tennis is spreading in the basketball world. A second undisclosed NBA team uses PlaySight technology for every practice, and the company is talking to others in the league about it. The Warriors use it with their NBA Development League affiliate in Santa Cruz. Purdue University’s basketball teams are among those in the NCAA with a system installed. Other pro teams include Alba Berlin, which was announced last week, Joventut Badalona in Spain, and some in Israel.
On the youth level, the SmartCourt can be found in New Jersey and Israel, where former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt recently did some coaching. The kids there can use same video and analytics technology that Stephen Curry has access to.
The SmartCourt system consists of up to nine cameras around the court being connected to the Internet, allowing for live streaming of practices. Plays can be immediately reviewed, enabling teams to take advantage of limited court time they have with players, thus making practice more efficient.
The footage is uploaded with automated video cloud storage, where it can be integrated with tagging platforms — NBA teams use SportsCode — so the action can quickly be organized. No longer does a single camera angle at practice have to be manually uploaded when SmartCourt does it in real-time.
And for the future, PlaySight is working toward a wearable integration with the cameras for next year as the company looks to bring its system to the basketball masses.